And one possibility – although it is the least likely ‘nuclear’ option – is for the entire scheme to be postponed indefinitely due to soaring costs.
In July, Network Rail announced the road will not reopen at the rail bridge as planned at the end of October, as it is not possible to complete necessary work on schedule. County council leader Liz Leffman said she thought the road could stay closed for “another year”.
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The major route into the city has been closed at the bridge since April 2023 as part of the redevelopment of Oxford station and the timetable for the scheme has been subject to several delays.
Traders, commuters and residents have all been seriously affected by the closure.
Contractors Kier said earlier there have been some “key achievements”, including the installation of a new water main under the rail bridge, work on a new platform including track and foundations, and a new sewer installed under Becket Street car park, but the replacement of the rail bridge has not yet taken place.
Network Rail bosses have said they cannot reveal when the whole scheme will be completed, as a review of the project is now taking place.
A rail industry source has told the Oxford Mail that three main options are now being considered by Network Rail, the Department for Transport, the county council, and contractors Kier.
(Image: Andy Ffrench) According to the rail industry insider these options are:
1: Complete the work, keeping the road closed at the rail bridge for as long as necessary.
2: Finish ‘vital work’ and then break to allow the county council to launch its traffic filters scheme and reopen Botley Road. This break could last for as long as six months as the filters trial is due to last six months.
3: Stop the work and postpone the scheme indefinitely. Reopen the road at the rail bridge. This last scenario was described as the least likely or ‘nuclear’ option.
It is understood the £161m scheme has gone over-budget.
Graham Jones, of business group Rox (Backing Oxford Business), said he was given a briefing by Network Rail and Kier earlier month that the review would be completed by the middle of September.
He added: “I can see all three options are a possibility – the easiest one is to get on with it and finish the work as soon as possible.
“From a traders’ point of view it is better to have the Botley Road reopened sooner rather than later.
“Shoppers are tempted at the moment to go elsewhere because of the traffic issues in Oxford. The city has done well for tourists this summer, but it will get quieter in the autumn.”
Rox is opposing the traffic filters trial.
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The county council said it was not expecting the Botley Road to be reopened so it could launch the trial of six new traffic filters – otherwise known as bus gates – which will limit ordinary traffic from crossing the city.
“We know that they will be discussing various ways forward and we wait to hear the outcome of those discussions.
“Regarding the traffic filters trial, we have told Network Rail that the only feasible option is for the council to run this after they complete their work.
“We are now waiting for them and the Department for Transport to confirm when work will continue and when it will be complete.”
Francis McGarry, investment director for Network Rail’s Wales and Western Region, said he was aware the work was “hugely disruptive”, and apologised to everyone impacted by the project.
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He said it was crucial to deliver the full capacity needed for East West Rail services, enable passenger services to run on the Cowley branch line, consider adding new stations to the network at Wantage/Grove or anywhere else, to carry more freight on the railway, to allow new frequent direct train connections to places like Bristol, and to help the country reach net zero.
Mr McGarry added: “The programme has been hugely complex and has faced numerous unforeseen challenges – such as the brick arch under the road. The timings have slipped, and costs have risen, so we’re doing a comprehensive review of the programme.
“As a taxpayer-funded body we must look at all options in our review, which means it will take some time to be completed.
“We know this is frustrating and appreciate that everyone wants to know the answers now, but we need to complete the review. We will share more information as soon as we’re able.”
She added: “We would urge all parties to provide a timetable and to work hard to get the Botley Road open again as soon as possible.
“We recognise the work itself is essential for Oxford, as well as for the wider transport network and that Oxford needs an expanded rail station to handle the continued growth of passenger numbers.
“We also recognise the complexity of the project, but Oxford residents and businesses need certainty over the timescales involved.”
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About the author
Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.
His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning.
You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.