Network Rail 'out of comfort zone' with road closure

Network Rail has been "out of its comfort zone" managing a major road and rail project which has shut off a major Oxford route since April 2023, a director has said.

Botley Road has been closed under its rail bridge for almost two years because of a £161m scheme to expand and improve Oxford station.

The rail operator said it hopes to reopen it by August 2026 and held the first of a series of monthly meetings for residents on Wednesday.

Francis McGarry, a Network Rail investment director, said it needs to "effectively rebuild" the affected part of the road.

A Victorian brick arch was found in the summer of 2023.

Oxfordshire County Council, contractors Kier and Thames Water were invited to the meeting at the King's Centre but did not attend.

Mr McGarry said they hoped to attend others in the future.

Sue Spencer-Longhurst, who lives in Abbey Road, said she was hopeful there will be some action taken as Network Rail realise the anger created by the overrunning work.

But she said even if work is completed on time next year, other maintenance will continue in side streets close to the station, including in Roger Dudman Way and Cripley Road.

"We will have had a huge amount of building work and noise and disruption and dirt too," she added.

Tahmina Sorabji, who lives in Botley, said residents have been "forgotten" by the council and Network Rail.

"As someone with a disability, the closure of Botley Road has had a massive impact on my life and every aspect of my life – and also on other people who have mobility impairments," he said.

Mr Sorabji added: "It's been a long time and I have kind of run out of hope but I'm hoping to continue to make a noise about this.

"Whether or not anything is going to be listened to, I can't say. It hasn't been so far."

Earlier this month, the council's cabinet member for transport, Andrew Gant, denied it was the authority's decision to shut Botley Road.

"It was Network Rail's project management which has failed catastrophically - not once, not twice, but three times.

"They said it was their fault and they are looking at how to compensate and mitigate the effects on businesses."

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