Oxford Corridor Phase 2 & Platform 5 updates

[Nottingham59]

presumably the risk / contingency was high for Botley Road in the first place,

The risk might have been high but it was clearly not recognised, and as far as I can see there was no contingency for Botley Road.

 

[BlueLeanie]

The risk might have been high but it was clearly not recognised, and as far as I can see there was no contingency for Botley Road.

The only contingency was not doing the work at all.

There were almost 200 years of hidden and secret water mains, sewers, gas mains, electricals, comms, culverts, hidden rooms in a very confined site.

The only way it could potentially have been done better would be if the entire line were to be closed for 2 years. The current lines raised up 5 metres between the bypass and bypass similar to the new bridge in Birmingham and a grand 6-8 through platform elevated station built with every platform accessed from a vast undercroft hall.

 

[fishwomp]

The risk might have been high but it was clearly not recognised, and as far as I can see there was no contingency for Botley Road.

By contingency I was meaning budget for unforeseen items. No way could the contingency in the budget cover what actually happened ..

 

[zwk500]

The risk might have been high but it was clearly not recognised, and as far as I can see there was no contingency for Botley Road.

The nature of risk and contingency is that you don't know exactly what you're planning for. That's why there's often lots of preliminary investigative works, to try and mitigate the risks.

 

[hwl]

The risk might have been high but it was clearly not recognised, and as far as I can see there was no contingency for Botley Road.

The nature of risk and contingency is that you don't know exactly what you're planning for. That's why there's often lots of preliminary investigative works, to try and mitigate the risks.

The phasing of construction (assuming you would have kept the same design) also didn't recognise this was high risk.
The Botley Road civils plan was basically as cheap as possible and aimed to minimise road closure time - what could go wrong??? The derisking did not materialise in practice.

As other current rail projects have show (e.g. TRU) drilling several utilities tunnels (preferably off line to the south of the new road alignment for Botley Road) would have helped significantly and made dealing with the sewer much easier.
In terms of construction phasing, starting off by doing as much of the current sheet piling to the south side of the road would have been a very good idea, it would have highlighted the quantity of detritus buried (think of it as big ground survey) followed by the south side bridge piling (with a bit of planning a route for the sewer could have been but in too) and the walkway "tube" concrete casting that forms the new another abutment for the bridge deck.
This would have led to a few extra days of rail closure overall with a big 5 day block early in the programme.
This would have also given much more room for sewer digging and investigation as well as much more choice and speed in mitigation options for the sewer.

 

[BrianW]

The phasing of construction (assuming you would have kept the same design) also didn't recognise this was high risk.
The Botley Road civils plan was basically as cheap as possible and aimed to minimise road closure time - what could go wrong??? The derisking did not materialise in practice.

As other current rail projects have show (e.g. TRU) drilling several utilities tunnels (preferably off line to the south of the new road alignment for Botley Road) would have helped significantly and made dealing with the sewer much easier.
In terms of construction phasing, starting off by doing as much of the current sheet piling to the south side of the road would have been a very good idea, it would have highlighted the quantity of detritus buried (think of it as big ground survey) followed by the south side bridge piling (with a bit of planning a route for the sewer could have been but in too) and the walkway "tube" concrete casting that forms the new another abutment for the bridge deck.
This would have led to a few extra days of rail closure overall with a big 5 day block early in the programme.
This would have also given much more room for sewer digging and investigation as well as much more choice and speed in mitigation options for the sewer.

Hindsight? Foresight? Learning from experience? Recognising risks? Planning? Contingency? Optimism bias? Yes men? Anyone listening? Anyone learning? Politics? People? Egos? ALL this good practice is known; sadly, nothing new here.

Is there evidence of ANYONE questioning the plans when, or better before decisions were made? Will it be published? It should make a good case study, appropriate for Oxford (and Cambridge?).

 

[fishwomp]

[..]

Is there evidence of ANYONE questioning the plans when, or better before decisions were made? Will it be published? It should make a good case study, appropriate for Oxford (and Cambridge?).

Lessons seem to be hard to learn in a city of learning: Oxfordshire County Council has just flogged off their HQ in the city centre to a hotel, and will move to a different building/site in the city centre where the City Council offices were.

Alas _now_ that's a done deal, they've got the survey and archaeology on the go - and found that the site they're going to occupy has, err, ancient groundworks - what with it being a known site of the earliest Oxford communities. When the City Council rebuilt this in the 1970s, they did the work on the footprint of that building to save money and of course found and will have documented plenty of interest back then. The County needs the redevelopment to cover a wider footprint - hence new archaeology, and surprise surprise, new findings.

So, the County is urgently trying to find other places to relocate staff to whilst their new site is rebuilt..

 

[BanburyBlue]

Lessons seem to be hard to learn in a city of learning: Oxfordshire County Council has just flogged off their HQ in the city centre to a hotel, and will move to a different building/site in the city centre where the City Council offices were.

Alas _now_ that's a done deal, they've got the survey and archaeology on the go - and found that the site they're going to occupy has, err, ancient groundworks - what with it being a known site of the earliest Oxford communities. When the City Council rebuilt this in the 1970s, they did the work on the footprint of that building to save money and of course found and will have documented plenty of interest back then. The County needs the redevelopment to cover a wider footprint - hence new archaeology, and surprise surprise, new findings.

So, the County is urgently trying to find other places to relocate staff to whilst their new site is rebuilt..

Interesting one. I thought the new building (Speedwell Street?) was an existing OCC office building, so assumed it was just being refurbished? Obviously a tad more than that then.

 

[JamesT]

Interesting one. I thought the new building (Speedwell Street?) was an existing OCC office building, so assumed it was just being refurbished? Obviously a tad more than that then.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdezle6e3r2o (from July) has:

Documents on the authority's website show it plans to knock down the north wing of Speedwell House but then add a five-storey extension to its north and west wings.

It's currently just offices, whereas to replace County Hall they need a space for a debating chamber and the other public functions.
A more recent article from a couple of weeks ago - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg7l4z47eqo

Plans to redevelop an empty building in Oxford and create a new council headquarters have been scaled back.

Oxfordshire County Council had proposed extending Speedwell House, after exchanging contracts to sell its current base at County Hall on New Road.

But the authority said "archaeological finds" at the new site mean that plans for a larger building and more office space have been "revisited".

So they'll have to figure out how to fit all the things that have to go there inside the existing building.

Of course, by the time they finish they might have worked out what the new unitary local government structure might be...

 

[fandroid]

I looked back a few pages on this thread and searched in vain for an actual "update". Is it time to change the thread title ( or the content)?

 

[hwl]

I looked back a few pages on this thread and searched in vain for an actual "update". Is it time to change the thread title ( or the content)?

This post from last week has the link to the latest NR update

Oxford Corridor Phase 2 & Platform 5 updates

It was once a plan by Chiltern - a Moor St/Oxford service via Banbury and their regular route into Moor St. Likely plenty of interworking with Marylebone services possible. They run locals around Birmingham too now. And when XC was at its lowest, it felt like a great time to provide another...

www.railforums.co.uk

And the direct link to the NR 176page slide pack:

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/oxfordshire-connect/Archive/Monthly%20Meeting%20Presentations/L.%20Oxfordshire%20Connect%20Update%20Presentation%20October%202025.pdf

The NR updates are usually monthly and published in the last week of the month.

The reality is that a mix of piling activities behind hoardings is tricky to gauge progress on, hence commenters venting their frustrations (again!)

The DLTR is that in the pilling so far on the southside of Botley Road (a mix of steel sheet piling to allow excavation on one side and concrete piles to support the walkway concrete "tube" structure that acts as the bridge deck support) is proving more difficult that hoped due to the amount of buried detritus, they allowed time for this but main down side is more noise.

Everything is effectively running to current planned timings. The key thing is that this is completed within the next month to avoid slippage on the blockade.

 

[Edvid]

Aside from the aforementioned excavation and piling, preparation works for the replacement footbridge are also underway as of 7 November.

New footbridge works​

Construction of the northeast footbridge approach outside Oxford Station continues. This work will take place until 7 December and includes: Removal of the current footbridge approach Decommissioning and demolition of the pumping station Excavation and backfilling Installation of foundations for a new palisade fence To allow these works to be carried out safely, some bike parking spaces have been temporarily closed. We apologise for any inconvenience. These spaces will be reinstated once this work has been completed.

Pictured above: Work on the northeast footbridge approach.

In addition Becket Street car park will be closed between 13 and 24 November to accommodate rail replacement buses/coaches as sheet piling will be carried out across the railway during the next two weekends.

 

[Edvid]

Found a pair of recent videos as seen from a pedestrian's POV (trevwilliamsmusic), from the western side to the station bicycle park.

The biggest visible change between the videos is the south-east side of Botley Road where the previous retaining wall used to be.

22 September

27 October

 

[Edvid]

Oxfordshire Connect November 2025 update


Mid-installation sheet piles cutting across the railway on 16 November, marking where the new bridge will begin

As of 18 November, 11 (of 16) reinforced concrete piles and 62 (of 104) sheet pile pairs have been installed; in addition 5 sheet pile pairs were installed under the railway on Sunday. Much of the rest should be done before Christmas based on recent progress (diagram of piling works shown below).



In terms of abutment construction the central box base slab has been cast and steel fixing of the walls is underway. Construction of the west/east boxes is further advanced and their roof formwork is in place.

Looking beyond the February bridge replacement works, the planned drainage system (including a new surface water flood defence tank) has been redesigned. As a result the associated milestone is 're-sequenced' from 2 April to 17 July 2026, but it also means a reduction in build complexity and - in theory, at least - the likelihood of Botley Road reopening on 31 August 2026 has increased.

As for Osney Bridge the interim water main north thereof has been commissioned, however they're still waiting on the local DNO to divert their assets before replacement of the footpath and damaged water main can take place. Removal of road-level traffic management is now scheduled for August 2026, followed by river path reinstatement a few months later.

 

[djox]

As for Osney Bridge the interim water main north thereof has been commissioned, however they're still waiting on the local DNO to divert their assets before replacement of the footpath and damaged water main can take place. Removal of road-level traffic management is now scheduled for August 2026, followed by river path reinstatement a few months later.

Prediction is that Network Rail will finish by end of August but Thames Water don't, so at least Botley Road will open but they'll be roadworks ongoing.

 

[stuving]

In terms of abutment construction the central box base slab has been cast and steel fixing of the walls is underway. Construction of the west/east boxes is further advanced and their roof formwork is in place.

There are pictures of two of these abutment boxes under construction from about a month ago in this Oxford Mail article.

 

[Edvid]

Also shown in the Oxford Mail is how Botley Road currently looks if you're sat on the upper floor of a double decker en-route to the station.

Network Rail has spent millions on a '200-yard stretch of Botley Road'

A community campaigner is questioning why Network Rail contractors have spent more than £200m working for almost three years on "a 200-yard…

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

A community campaigner is questioning why Network Rail contractors have spent more than £200m working for almost three years on "a 200-yard stretch of road".

The rail infrastructure company's contractors are working on a £231m scheme to upgrade Oxford railway station.

It closed Botley Road at the rail bridge in 2023 and the scheme has been hit with numerous delays. The road is not expected to fully reopen until August 2026.

To date, progress on the main objectives have been limited as contractors work to reroute utility cables and pipes in Botley Road and in Frideswide Square.

Piling work is being undertaken to create foundations for a new rail bridge so it can be installed in February, but the noisy construction process, which also causes vibration, is disturbing residents and will continue again this weekend.

Community campaigner Julian Le Vay, who lives off Botley Road, reacted after seeing a photo of the construction site taken by photographer Frank Dumbleton earlier this month when he was arriving at the station by bus.

Mr Le Vay said: "It looks quite beautiful but it's horrifying to think that Network Rail is spending almost a quarter of a billion pounds on a 200-yard stretch of road close to the rail bridge.

"People who visit the city say 'how is it possible to spend such a large amount of money on such a small area'."

Once the new rail bridge has been installed, and the Botley Road reopened to traffic at the rail bridge, Network Rail will continue with its plan to upgrade the western entrance to the station and provide a new platform boosting East West Rail links.

Mr Le Vay added: "I don't think it will be possible to complete the new western entrance and the new platform before 2028.

"And that's not the end of it - Network Rail will then look at other aspects of improving the station.

"For some of us who live here, we can never feel the same way as we did before all this started.

"I simply will not walk through the new walkway - I go out of my way to find another route into the city centre."

A spokesman for Network Rail confirmed that work is now taking place to prepare for the installation of the new rail bridge.

He added: "Work to install it is taking place from 00:10 Sunday, February 1 to 04:45 Monday, February 9.

"All southbound railway lines will be closed but some northbound services will be running and rail replacement bus services will operate from Becket Street car park."

Network Rail’s proposals for the redeveloped rail station include plans for a multi-storey car-park and no facilities for an integrated transport hub.

The multi-storey car park could be located at Becket Street.

The spokesman confirmed that Network Rail contractors are on schedule to reopen Botley Road at the rail bridge by August 2026.

 

[takno]

Also shown in the Oxford Mail is how Botley Road currently looks if you're sat on the upper floor of a double decker en-route to the station.

Network Rail has spent millions on a '200-yard stretch of Botley Road'

A community campaigner is questioning why Network Rail contractors have spent more than £200m working for almost three years on "a 200-yard…

www.oxfordmail.co.uk

Am I right in thinking this is an entire news article about somebody replying to a Facebook post? Peak local-newspaper

 

[Edvid]

As of today's newsletter (11 December) the west & east abutment boxes are complete.

Pictured below is the central abutment box, for which the side walls have been cast and steel fixing is being installed for the roof where the concrete has set.

All 16 concrete piles are in place, as are the sheet piles defining the pile cap boundaries. As pictured below excavation and prop installation on the east side is in progress (already done on the west side).

The only sheet piles that may not be installed yet are those between the west/east walls and the pile cap boundaries (pairs 70/71/72/84/85/86 in the diagram posted a couple of weeks ago). Their installation schedule in the monthly presentations changed from early/mid December to early/mid January so I'm wondering what that's about.

Construction of the station-side replacement footbridge approach is now done and the affected bike parking area reinstated.

Finally, a word on Christmas working arrangements in the Oxford Mail:

The Kier contractors' work schedule over the Christmas period has not yet been finalised, according to Network Rail.

A spokesman said: "We may have some concrete works between Christmas and New Year but it's under review based on the progress over the next few weeks."

"We won't be working on the bank holidays and will continue with the management of the walkway and general site security throughout."

 

[Edvid]

Somewhat surprisingly GWR Sale Advances are available for journeys to/from Oxford during the bridge replacement works, excluding both Sundays. If anyone fancies a visit on 2-7 February and is happy to use Didcot-Oxford rail replacement services instead of direct (and surely busier) Chiltern Railways services to/from Marylebone it's possible to make a round trip from Paddington for a tenner.

 

[cle]

Slightly tangential - but I don’t think speculative - not worth own thread yet though:

In the latest EWR consultation and the news about a fifth EWR tph out of Oxford, it mentioned work to develop how to handle the increased service.

We know Cowley is intended for Marylebone, and won’t have tons of addl signalling or double track (eg to handle 1-2 EWR) - so what do those closest to the Oxford station saga know or suspect might be options for all this new service?

The regular Bristol services seems to be planned too (I’d assume future p4?) - thoughts on this? Which relates directly to these works?

 

[JamesT]

Slightly tangential - but I don’t think speculative - not worth own thread yet though:

In the latest EWR consultation and the news about a fifth EWR tph out of Oxford, it mentioned work to develop how to handle the increased service.

We know Cowley is intended for Marylebone, and won’t have tons of addl signalling or double track (eg to handle 1-2 EWR) - so what do those closest to the Oxford station saga know or suspect might be options for all this new service?

The regular Bristol services seems to be planned too (I’d assume future p4?) - thoughts on this? Which relates directly to these works?

The You Said We Did only seems to say:

How we’ve updated design proposals
Following wider support for the Cowley Plus scheme from the local community, Network Rail and the government, we’re currently working on our designs on the basis that the Cowley Branch Line will be reopened, as proposed by Oxford City Council. This would mean that platform capacity will be freed up at Oxford station, allowing the full EWR service to run to Oxford station. More details will be provided when we consult in 2026.

To me that reads that as long as the Marylebone trains are going to Cowley, then EWR having full use of the two bays will be sufficient.

 

[cle]

That was when the running assumption was 4tph (2 MKC, 2 Cambridge) - there is now aspiration for #5 to at least Stewartby.

I thought I spotted a specific mention of this fifth train requiring a plan to accommodate in the latest doc.

Edit - adding the relevant document

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/sale-of-access-rights/Consultations/Current%20Track%20Access%20Consultations/15.12.2025%20-%20East%20West%20Railway%20Company%20Limited%20-%20Section%2017%20-%20Closes%2012.01.2026/EWR%20Passenger%20Access%20Application%20Form%20P%20(002).pdf

 

[Nicholas43]

Focussing on the thread title, am I right in thinking that, while (some?) funding for the construction of platform 5, and a new bridge over the Sheepwash Channel, is agreed (in principle?), Network Rail has so far said nothing whatever about the timing, except that that work won't start before August 2026?

 

[Wuggie Norple]

Having just watched the Network Rail time-lapse video of the Clifton (Cumbria) bridge demolition last weekend, I look forward to the eventual release of a similar one featuring the Botley Road bridge project. Probably need a sack of popcorn before settling down to watch it though.

 

[zwk500]

Having just watched the Network Rail time-lapse video of the Clifton (Cumbria) bridge demolition last weekend, I look forward to the eventual release of a similar one featuring the Botley Road bridge project. Probably need a sack of popcorn before settling down to watch it though.

They should release it in IMAX 3D, "The Great Headscratching"

 

[Edvid]

A couple of pictures from the weekly newsletter which has resumed after the Christmas break:

Central abutment box

Pile cap on the west side

Foundations and abutments for the southern end of the bridge are now built, so attention shifts to site preparation for the long-awaited bridge replacement. Tasks such as delivery of bridge sections to Becket Street car park and delivery of a self-propelled modular transporter for the 420t central abutment box will be done over the next few weeks.

Focussing on the thread title, am I right in thinking that, while (some?) funding for the construction of platform 5, and a new bridge over the Sheepwash Channel, is agreed (in principle?), Network Rail has so far said nothing whatever about the timing, except that that work won't start before August 2026?

Phase 2D (Western entrance / Platform 5 / Sheepwash Channel bridge) has an assumed delivery date of H1 2029 in the December 2025 update to residents, which also briefly describes the other rail projects in Oxford as illustrated below.



In the latest Oxford Mail piece, Julian Le Vay estimates an overall piece tag of £331-381m for Oxfordshire Connect. Network Rail's latest position is as follows:

A Network Rail spokesman revealed the latest cost estimate for the work so far has risen from £231m to £237m, but this does not include planned work on the western entrance, and a new platform.

He added: “The latest estimate for the Oxford Phase 2 project, including the works associated with Botley Road, is £237.4m.

"This estimate includes enhancements of the Oxford north junction, completed in July 2023, which improved journey times and provided additional capacity for services, including East West Rail.

“This estimate excludes work to complete a new western entrance to the station and a new platform.

"A cost and completion date for these works have yet to be agreed with the Department for Transport.

“The project is on schedule to the revised timetable which will see Botley Road reopen in August.”

 

[cle]

Thanks for the update. Good to see the various pieces all together - even if they are a little vague on the main station plan (rebuild / through roads etc) - hopefully we’ll see more on that in 2026.

I do feel that P5 could come online sooner than the Western entrance needs - given it’s a face to an existing island. Would be useful if the Bristol services ramp up to hourly - which I’d guess would use p4 to turn in a future state. P5 being through services north.

 

[hwl]

Thanks for the update. Good to see the various pieces all together - even if they are a little vague on the main station plan (rebuild / through roads etc) - hopefully we’ll see more on that in 2026.

Politically there has to be a focus on road reopening.

I do feel that P5 could come online sooner than the Western entrance needs - given it’s a face to an existing island. Would be useful if the Bristol services ramp up to hourly - which I’d guess would use p4 to turn in a future state. P5 being through services north.

Western entrance is harder and more expensive if P5 opens first and access to/from P4 is already stretched, so the most cost efficient and common sense approach will almost certainly happen. Bristol services are the least of operators and NR worries for additional services (EWR and Cowley are higher).
The P4/5 island also needs a reasonable amount of work along with infrastructure and track works to the north so is a lot more involved than most people realise.

 

[Edvid]

More details on the walkway diversion and train services between 1 & 8 February have been added to the OC project page.

Walkway diversion – Sunday 1 – Sunday 8 February​

• The walkway between Botley Road and Frideswide Square will be closed.
• There will be an alternative, accessible diversion route through the station.
• There will be signs and marshals along the diversion route 24/7, to provide information and assistance.
• The route is step-free and accessible, with temporary bridges between platforms.
• Bike and scooter riders must dismount on the diversion route.
• Mopeds and motorbikes will not be permitted through the station. Please use alternative route: A4144 – A34 Western Bypass – A420.

Train services – Sunday 1 – Sunday 8 February​

• Buses will replace trains between Oxford station and Didcot Parkway
• Rail replacement buses will depart from Becket Street car park in Oxford.
• Some rail services to the north will be running.

Works to prepare for the walkway diversion and the SPMT are also explained in the newsletter.

Progress update​

Preparations are underway for the demolition and replacement of Botley Road rail bridge, which will take place from 1 – 8 February. This includes making a route for the Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) which will lift the central abutment (support) for the new main rail bridge into position. This central abutment has been built on the west side of the site, near the One Restaurant and Westgate Hotel, ready to be moved in while trains on the southbound tracks are not running. This work involves excavation and ground preparation works, ahead of tarmacking next week. This temporary route is not the final highway, which will be built between February – August, underneath the new rail bridges. 19 - 31 January night-time works​ Overnight works will take place between Monday 19 January and Saturday 31 January, from 20:00 - 04:00, to prepare for the temporary pedestrian diversion through Oxford station. This diversion will be in place from 1-8 February while the current walkway between Botley Road and Frideswide Square is closed to enable the replacement of the Botley Road rail bridge. During these nights: Part of the wall between platform 3 and the current bin store outside the station will be removed, in order to create a wider entrance for the temporary pedestrian diversion route. On Roger Dudman Way, work will be carried out on the emergency ramp outside the platform 4 emergency access gate, to make this accessible for use during the temporary walkway diversion. Tarmacking works will take place to widen the footpath at the southern end of Cripley Road and Roger Dudman Way. Traffic management, including two‑way traffic lights, will be in place to keep road users safe while this work is carried out.