Oxford Corridor Phase 2 & Platform 5 updates

[JamesT]

One track would add capacity, but two would be better. All I'm saying is that with hindsight they should have left the current bridge where it is.

With an extra two tracks to the west, and a new island platform, you don't need a through platform to the east.

Are you leaving the existing platform 4 in place? The idea of a future through platform at the East is having two through southbound platform faces on an island to allow more services. Having those platforms separated by a bridge would be a lot less convenient.

Raising the elevation by 2m requires 200m of incline at 1%. That's not so much

You mean the station staff car park? Probably. Again, there's a lot more space over the canal than there is under Botley Road. Whoever signed off the work without adequate ground investigation does not deserve to keep the title Civil Engineer.

No, I mean the road immediately to the West of the station that provides access to the housing North of the canal.
Just look at a map, almost immediately North of the platforms is Castle Mill Stream, the bridge carrying the road is right beside the railway lines. You have single digit metres, not 200m so you’re going to need a new bridge over the stream. There’s housing either side, where’s it going?

I agree that they’ve made a pigs ear of the work, but there’s no way that your alternative is going to work. It doesn’t resolve any of the highway issues with the current bridge, and could well hit similar issues trying to dig foundations for a new bridge.

 

[Nicholas43]

The government have agreed to set aside a goodwill pot of £850,000 for small businesses affected by the ongoing works; Network Rail will write to them in due course.

In addition it was revealed the project cost has risen by almost two-thirds to £261 million half to £231 million.* Based on the FAQs linked in post #416 I believe that new figure just covers the Botley Road works rather than Oxfordshire Connect as a whole.

[* BBC correction]

I'm sure that, at the ticketed meeting on 13 June, the current expected cost was said to be £261 million, including (as I understood it) Thames Water's many goes at rerouting the sewer and the water main, the new bridge including a new fifth track on the Osney side, and a new pedestrian bridge on the Oxford side, capable of being converted to carry a putative future new through track on the Oxford side - and, I think, including the £0.85 million to be shared among quite a lot of local businesses. It wasn't clear to me whether the £261 million buys a new track (to be known as 'platform' 5) to the west of the existing platform 4, or a new rail bridge over the Sheepwash Channel. It was stated not to include a new west entrance, with modish retail and café hall (presumably at street level?) and a lift and staircase to platform level. Given that Network Rail, and Keir, and Thames Water, and many other Undertakers, and lots of subcontractors, have had lots of people, and lots of expensive-looking machinery, on site for many many weeks, I don't find £261 million surprising. The wonder is that anyone believed the original costing.

 

[BlueLeanie]

There are plenty of new models of double decker that can fit under Botley Road bridge. It was a myth that buses of the right height weren't available.

It's true, there are plenty of buses that do. Although I do wonder what would happen if some rowdy passengers started to bounce it as it approached the old bridge. This YouTube link shows the *very* tight squeeze that double deckers had fitting under the historic bridge.

Plenty of buses that don't though.

This image shows a former Lothian Buses Double Decker wedged under the old Botley Bridge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/resources/images/13889733.jpg

 

[Zomboid]

Those buses wouldn't go under a new bridge for platform 5. Which is why the whole thing needs doing.

 

[fishwomp]

This image shows a former Lothian Buses Double Decker wedged under the old Botley Bridge.

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/resources/images/13889733.jpg

Well, we know where the open top bus tours get their buses converted..

 

[Edvid]

Six months after the project rephasing, here's how things are looking (per July 2025 NR slideshow to residents).

The first piece of the new bridge (Botley Road north-side walk/cycleway) should open in 6 weeks or so.

Progress
• Completion of foundation works for the northern bridge abutment / new 4m walkway/cycleway.
• Progressing with constructing walkway bases slab and side walls.

Delay and Management
• Delays caused by design for the temporary propping works (resolved) and difficulties in installing roof slab of main walkway section (resolved).
• Mitigations implemented to overlap activities [have] stabilised the programme. 5 days slippage since early May.
• [31st Aug 25] milestone remains on [target]. Amber rating maintained due to float erosion. 4 days float currently maintained.

The small (125mm) water main is sorted, leaving just the sewer to be diverted (no room under Botley Road so part of it was constructed south thereof with a TBM). Thames Water works within Botley Road bridge scope will continue for another 7 weeks or so.

Progress
• East side launch pit and west side strong box and reception pit complete.
• Tunnel boring complete, with tunnel boring machine removed.
• Construction of west side chamber commenced.

Delay and Management
• Anticipated 10-day delay to the planned 27th Aug [2025] sewer milestone.
• Delay due to buried [concrete slab] preventing 13 [out of 43] piles from being installed. Piles needed to allow excavation of the reception pit.
• Mitigations implemented
(1) Seven day working, 7am-10pm, applied to the full sewer diversion programme.
(2) Methodology changed allowing remaining piles to be installed in parallel to excavation of the reception pit.
• This has resulted in a reduction in float between completion for the sewer diversion and the next activity. 9 days float remaining.

It's also 6 months (and a week) until the planned closure for bridge replacement works. For its duration pedestrians may be diverted through the station.

On 31st January 2026 we will be closing the railway lines crossing the existing Botley Road bridge until 9th February 2026. The closure is required to allow us to us to remove the existing bridge and replace it with three new spans. This involves removing the railway lines that sit on the old bridge and replacing them once new spans are installed.

During this period, there will be c. 5 days where access via Botley Road will be unavailable. This is unavoidable due to the physical work and heavy lifting activities that will be undertaken during this period.

It is proposed that an alternative route will be made available through the station for all pedestrians. Consideration is being given to what provision will be given to cyclists and scooter users.

A sub-working group is being established with key user groups to consider what mitigations may be required to support implementation, especially for people of reduced mobility.

[N.B. Network Rail link updated again]

 

[jammmmmsssssss]

Deleted

 

[djox]

It's also 6 months (and a week) until the planned closure for bridge replacement. For its duration pedestrians may be diverted through the station

This just shows how badly timed and planned the project is. Now that a new walk way under railway is just about to be completed it will again get closed and a new route has to be planned. I can't imagine that going in through main station and over station bridge and out through Western side will be allowed, especially not overnight when station buildings will be closed. I bet Mill Street Bridge will be the suggested route.

 

[swt_passenger]

This just shows how badly timed and planned the project is. Now that a new walk way under railway is just about to be completed it will again get closed and a new route has to be planned. I can't imagine that going in through main station and over station bridge and out through Western side will be allowed, especially not overnight when station buildings will be closed. I bet Mill Street Bridge will be the suggested route.

When they’re installing the new rail bridge sections the tracks will be lifted. Previous discussions have suggested they would not allow trains into the Oxford through platforms from the north, so I think it’s likely the main station (not the bays) will be effectively closed, but they might be able to build a temporary platform level bridge to avoid the stairs.

 

[Edvid]

Previous discussions have suggested they would not allow trains into the Oxford through platforms from the north, so I think it’s likely the main station (not the bays) will be effectively closed, but they might be able to build a temporary platform level bridge to avoid the stairs.

Yes, that is more or less what 'Option 2' is (see page 18 12 of the aforelinked presentation), though the bays may also be closed.

Pedestrians in both directions would have to use the eastern gate but they'd be kept separate across two polybridges and through the western gates.

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes, that is more or less what 'Option 2' is (see page 18 of the aforelinked presentation), though the bays may also be closed.

Pedestrians in both directions would have to use the eastern gate but they'd be kept separate across two polybridges and through the western gates.

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I remember seeing similar large poly blocks in use somewhere a few years ago, during engineering work, but I think more for plant access in that case. Easy to see the advantages in this case.

 

[Elecman]

Ah, thanks for pointing that out. I remember seeing similar large poly blocks in use somewhere a few years ago, during engineering work, but I think more for plant access in that case. Easy to see the advantages in this case.

That was at Manchester Piccadilly for engineering access between the closed platforms

 

[swt_passenger]

That was at Manchester Piccadilly for engineering access between the closed platforms

Reading is where I saw it, during the rebuild, I found a photo. They were fairly basic white blocks, probably not as advanced as those linked in the earlier post #490..

 

[djox]

The first major milestone which Network Rail set when they reset this whole Oxford station redevelopment project was to open a new walkway under Botley Road Bridge, this deadline is approaching on 31 August 2025 and according to Oxford Mail reporter speaking to contractors it looks like it won't open until next month.

Timescale announced for new walkway for Botley Road pedestrians

A new walkway for pedestrians linking Botley Road with Frideswide Square is nearing completion in Oxford.

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

Extract from Oxford Mail story about new walkway being delayed.
... contractor on site said he did not expect the walkway to be ready for the public to use until next month..

I emailed Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds to visit on 31 August if she was confident it was opening, don't think she'll come now.

When do we think Network Rail will announce the delay, I predict at the next meeting for residents a few days before it due to open.

 

[4COR]

The first major milestone which Network Rail set when they reset this whole Oxford station redevelopment project was to open a new walkway under Botley Road Bridge, this deadline is approaching on 31 August 2025 and according to Oxford Mail reporter speaking to contractors it looks like it won't open until next month.

Well, plus ca change...

 

[djox]

With 9 days (5 work days) to go until Botley Road Bridge walkway opens this is the site today, (where the wheelbarrow is the path into the concrete tunnel under rail bridge). Looks like a lot of rubble still to move, before a path is installed.
Do we think it will open on 31 August and if not what consequences should there be to the rail minister, Network Rail and Kier?

 

[class ep-09]

With 9 days (5 work days) to go until Botley Road Bridge walkway opens this is the site today, (where the wheelbarrow is the path into the concrete tunnel under rail bridge). Looks like a lot of rubble still to move, before a path is installed.
Do we think it will open on 31 August and if not what consequences should there be to the rail minister, Network Rail and Kier?

What consequences ?

 

[djox]

What consequences ?

The project started well before current government was elected.

My son’s school roof replacement overrun by 2 weeks .
I want education minister and Kier to be held responsible for that )) .

The rail minister Lord Hendy made a commitment that the walkway would be open on 31 August, if it's not going to be should he not take responsibility and resign, as anything he says now will not be trusted to be delivered.
Yes the education minister should resign for your son's school but not for a 2 week delay but if they said the whole project would be a few months then lasted years and they gave repeated assurance and still didn't keep to the deadline.

 

[duffield]

The rail minister Lord Hendy made a commitment that the walkway would be open on 31 August, if it's not going to be should he not take responsibility and resign, as anything he says now will not be trusted to be delivered.
Yes the education minister should resign for your son's school but not for a 2 week delay but if they said the whole project would be a few months then lasted years and they gave repeated assurance and still didn't keep to the deadline.

So, are you confident that if Lord Hendy resigned over this (nationally very minor) issue he would be replaced by someone more competent? And that his resignation and the disruption that would cause would really be worth it, in terms of further delays to other important decisions?

If he was given what appeared to be cast-iron assurances that this would happen and had an honest belief that it would, is it really proportionate for him to resign? Or would it not be better for him to find out why those assurances have turned out to be an embarrassment and hopefully learn something?

 

[hwl]

The rail minister Lord Hendy made a commitment that the walkway would be open on 31 August, if it's not going to be should he not take responsibility and resign, as anything he says now will not be trusted to be delivered.
Yes the education minister should resign for your son's school but not for a 2 week delay but if they said the whole project would be a few months then lasted years and they gave repeated assurance and still didn't keep to the deadline.

31st August is not a real hard deadline in terms of project impact as taking several more weeks won't impact having everything ready for the bridge deck work and blockade.

31st of August is convenient for everyone to ask in early September why it didn't happen and gives a few more week before university-terms kicks off.

You forgot to include any utility companies on the people to blame list!

Why are you getting up tight about something that won't make much difference in practice?

 

[djox]

So, are you confident that if Lord Hendy resigned over this (nationally very minor) issue he would be replaced by someone more competent? And that his resignation and the disruption that would cause would really be worth it, in terms of further delays to other important decisions?

If he was given what appeared to be cast-iron assurances that this would happen and had an honest belief that it would, is it really proportionate for him to resign? Or would it not be better for him to find out why those assurances have turned out to be an embarrassment and hopefully learn something?

I think this showed his judgement was poor in January to believe Network Rail and Kier would deliver on time and to repeat those assurances in June despite all the evidence to the contrary for the previous 2 years of the project.

Yes I think others would be able to do a better job, I actually think him being ex Network Rail compromises his potition, as he will always look at it from their eyes and not the public's. So a fresh person to get a grip would help.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Aug 2025 ==

31st August is not a real hard deadline in terms of project impact as taking several more weeks won't impact having everything ready for the bridge deck work and blockade.

31st of August is convenient for everyone to ask in early September why it didn't happen and gives a few more week before university-terms kicks off.

You forgot to include any utility companies on the people to blame list!

Why are you getting up tight about something that won't make much difference in practice?

This was their first major deadline that they (NR, Kier and gov) pinned their plans on, so if August deadline doesn't happen, who's to say that January deadline for the actual rail bridge will happen, which then means Botley Road doesn't open in August next year.

Yes you are right Thames Water especially should also be added to the list.

 

[The exile]

Completion dates are targets. If every project is completed before the target date and under budget then those targets / budgets are too generous.

 

[BlueLeanie]

The rail minister Lord Hendy made a commitment that the walkway would be open on 31 August, if it's not going to be should he not take responsibility and resign, as anything he says now will not be trusted to be delivered.

Outside the "Angry of Osney Island" cohort nobody will care.

Councillors, Academics, and MPs won't be back from their summer break until the beginning of October.

This is a mere nuisance at the edge of the City on what will soon be a toll road. Nobody will be resigning, no contracts will go unpaid. Oxford's population is highly transient, it will all be forgotten about in a few months.

 

[davetheguard]

This is a mere nuisance at the edge of the City on what will soon be a toll road.

Can you say more about what you mean by calling it a toll road? I've not heard of any such proposal.

Putting a toll on the Botley Road might have some interesting consequencies on car traffic in Oxford, but certainly wouldn't help grow passenger numbers on "kiss & ride" drop offs/pick ups at Oxford station.

 

[swt_passenger]

Can you say more about what you mean by calling it a toll road? I've not heard of any such proposal.

Putting a toll on the Botley Road might have some interesting consequencies on car traffic in Oxford, but certainly wouldn't help grow passenger numbers on "kiss & ride" drop offs/pick ups at Oxford station.

I expect it’s the proposed congestion charge:

Proposed Congestion Charge to access Oxford Station

Oxfordshire County Council are proposing to introduce a £5 "Congestion Charge" to access Oxford Station between 07:00 and 19:00 most days. There are of course, other streets affected, but this will be of greatest interest to rail enthusiasts. It has been widely reported across media outlets...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[davetheguard]

I expect it’s the proposed congestion charge:

Proposed Congestion Charge to access Oxford Station

Oxfordshire County Council are proposing to introduce a £5 "Congestion Charge" to access Oxford Station between 07:00 and 19:00 most days. There are of course, other streets affected, but this will be of greatest interest to rail enthusiasts. It has been widely reported across media outlets...

www.railforums.co.uk

Thanks for that.

I know Oxford pretty well, but haven't lived in Oxfordshire for a few years now, so this proposal somehow passed me by.

 

[DavidGrain]

This is a mere nuisance at the edge of the City on what will soon be a toll road.

Boitley Road will become the access to the Station. You cannot put a toll on a station access road.

 

[The exile]

Boitley Road will become the access to the Station. You cannot put a toll on a station access road.

If it’s a congestion / LEZ charge you can.

 

[JamesT]

If it’s a congestion / LEZ charge you can.

However, in this case there are no proposals for a congestion charge or traffic filter on Botley Road. The nearest ones would be Hythe Bridge Street or Thames Street. So you can get to the Station or the Westgate from Botley Road without passing one, but no further into the city centre. And conversely, Botley Road would be the only toll-free route for those locations, which is why they were delayed by the overrun on the bridge works.

 

[cle]

Sounds more like a kiss n fly for the station vs a full toll for through traffic - Heathrow style. £5 is a bit steep vs the airports being 6.