Media centre

Tuesday 19 Sep 2023

Network Rail announces continuation of Botley Road closure after unique challenges delayed the work this summer

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail has announced that the road underneath Botley Road bridge in Oxford is to remain closed until October 2024, after a number of unique challenges delayed the project this summer. 

The road was due to open next month, with a further six-month closure planned from March 2024 to October 2024. While the project switched to 24-hour working in August, the programme remains incredibly challenging. Despite round-the-clock work, the delays encountered now mean that Botley Road will not be able to reopen this October. The road will remain closed at the rail bridge until October 2024, enabling the teams on site to do the necessary work. 

The multi-million-pound project to upgrade the station, the railway and the surrounding road network will improve journeys and provide better connecting rail links to the east of Oxford. Once complete, the station and railway upgrades - part of the Oxfordshire Connect programme – will provide passengers with a bigger and better Oxford station and an expanded railway which will enable more services for passengers and freight, with reduced journey times.   

The road network near the station will also be improved, with safer junctions with Botley Road and more opportunities for sustainable transport, including enhanced bus travel as well as more space for cyclists and pedestrians through the addition of a four-metre cycle and footway on each side of the main road.    

Work on the £161m Oxford station and railway upgrade had to be paused in June, after contractors unearthed an inverted brick arch, thought to be part of the original Victorian drainage system. Work was also put on hold in July, when a nearby area had to be evacuated following the discovery of a WWII era hand grenade within the work site.  

Ground investigations revealed the historic arch is far larger than previously known - reaching a metre deep and stretching for around 100 metres between Mill Street and Frideswide Square – and that it could form part of the structural support of the railway bridge.   

The extent of the arch meant that the programme of work had to be redesigned to make sure the bridge is stable and fully supported while the complex utilities under the road are diverted. The new programme involves installing 700 piles – support structures that are driven deep into the ground.  A temporary drainage system will manage groundwater before a new permanent pumping system is installed later in the project.  

Piling work began in August and will continue until mid-October. Because this work is noisy, the three piling rigs required for the job will only be in use between 8am and 6pm on weekdays and alternate weekends. Following the announcement in August that 24-hour working would be needed owing to the delays caused by the extent of the brick arch, quieter work will take place throughout the night to reduce disruption to residents and businesses. 

Dale Crutcher, Network Rail’s industry programme director for Greater Oxford, said: “This project is extremely complex and has been made even more challenging by the extent of the brick arch underneath the road. We’ve explored a number of options to deliver the works which included moving to working around the clock, but unfortunately with needing the infrastructure to be ready by the end of next year we have no choice but to keep the road closed until October 2024. 

“I understand this will be disappointing for residents and businesses, and I’m sorry for the disruption this will cause. 

“Engagement with stakeholders will continue with the next local community drop-in at West Oxford Community Centre on Wednesday 27 September between 2.30pm and 6.00pm, where members of the project team will be available to answer your questions.” 

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management said: “Obviously it is disappointing that Botley Road will remain closed for longer than expected but there was no alternative due to the difficulties faced by Network Rail in this complex project. 

“We continue to thank residents, commuters and businesses who have been affected by this work for their patience and understanding. As the highway authority, we will continue to work with Network Rail and other partners and discharge our duty to manage the highways network effectively.” 

For information on the project please go to www.networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect or for the latest highways information www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordstation  

Anyone wishing to get the latest information on the project can sign up to receive e-mail updates via https://lineside.networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect