Image Credit: Image Credit: “Oxford Night Trains” by R~P~M is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Network Rail’s plans to improve infrastructure and increase capacity at the Oxford railway station have been delayed, having been set to begin on 9 January.
The developments, known as ‘Oxford Corridor Phase 2’, will see a new platform being installed, alongside a new secondary station entrance on the western side of the railway and an upgrade of the Botley Road bridge. These changes are intended to accommodate the increase in services planned from 2024 as part of the East West Rail project. Its western section reconnecting Oxford to Bedford is planned to be completed in late 2023.
Preparations for the restructuring began in November, with contractors diverting utilities like water, gas, and electricity around the Botley Road bridge. Bore holes were also dug around the old YHA building, where the new station entrance will be, to get a thorough understanding of the ground underneath in preparation for construction. Most of this preliminary work was completed during daytime hours but road work was completed overnight to prevent traffic disruption.
It had initially been agreed between Network Rail and Oxfordshire County Council that Botley Road would be closed to all traffic excluding emergency services from January to December 2023, in order to replace the bridge and implement the new entrance. However, these plans have now been delayed with no confirmed start time for the road closure. In an update on the project Network Rail stated that there are a “number of significant challenges to overcome before work on the bridge can start”, notably key utility services connecting to the west of the city, and thus they need to “refine [their] plans for the delivery of the works” and “do not now need to start the full closure of Botley Road in January.”
While the new road closure times have not been confirmed, Network Rail maintains that the work must be completed by the end of 2024 to stay on track for the East West Rail services to commence as planned. Some of the benefits of this restructuring will be increased capacity for Oxford to Birmingham passenger services and a reduction of journey times by up to two minutes.
The upgrading of the Botley Road bridge will add a four-metre cycle and footpath on each side and the height clearance will be increased, enabling double-decker buses to pass under the bridge for the first time. Roger Dudman Way will also be realigned to increase the safety of the road layout for junctions with Botley Road. The level crossings at Yarnton Lane and Sandy Lane will be closed and three high-speed crossovers at Oxford North Junction will be created in their stead. As well as improving the safety of the line, this will increase capacity to accommodate an additional 12 freight trains per day.
This project has been in the works for several years, having received prior approval from the Oxford City Planning Committee in November 2021 and its Transport and Works Act Order being approved by the Secretary of State for Transport in June 2022. Oxfordshire County Council are currently “discussing a new way forward” with Network Rail in light of the delay and once plans are confirmed, they intend to “make sure the details are communicated clearly and accurately to everyone who might be affected”.