Improvements confirmed after rail project disruption

A series of improvements to support Botley Road residents have been announced after the rail minister responded "positively" to council concerns.

Leader of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, wrote a letter to Lord Peter Hendy on behalf of city residents.

It highlighted concern around the disruption the Botley Road closure has been causing since April 2023.

In his response, Lord Hendy confirmed a series of improvements to support those affected including increasing the Botley Flyer shuttle service to five days a week.

The road was closed under the rail bridge as part of a £161m Network Rail project to expand Oxford station and improve services.

It was due to reopen in October, but the date has been pushed back indefinitely due to "highly complex" pipework.

In his response, Lord Hendy said he was "acutely aware of the disruption the closure of Botley Road in April 2023 is causing" and apologised for the inconvenience.

He confirmed the following improvements:

• Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) will implement a joint plan to provide additional experienced staff to support people with reduced mobility

• A dedicated GWR-branded assisted travel meeting point will be established to the west of the Botley Road works, where staff can assist those needing help

• Passengers requiring assistance will be escorted from the meeting point to the main station entrance and platform by trained staff

• Improvements to wayfinding, lighting, and access around the station area are being developed

• The towpath under Sheepwash Bridge has been reopened by Network Rail

• The Botley Flyer shuttle service has been increased to five days a week (Monday-Friday), with additional waiting areas on the west side of Botley Road

Lord Hendy said that further improvements would be assessed as long as the closure continues and also assured the council that his officials would "press Network Rail closely" as it looks to complete the project.

Ms Brown said she was "very grateful" for the "swift and positive response".

She said: “We welcome the improvements which he [Lord Hendy] has initiated in the meantime and the pressure that he and his office are bringing to help speed up the work."

Lord Hendy has also agreed to meet with Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran after she wrote to him with concerns around the project delays.

She said she was "utterly dismayed" that the community would have to "endure" further disruptions.

A date for the meeting is yet to be confirmed.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.