Oxford Corridor Phase 2 & Platform 5 updates

[zwk500]

Utilities like NR have been funded for decades by their respective regulators to have a robust asset database.

That database will only be as good as the data input into it though. The only way those asset databases would be 100% complete is if the utility companies had done significant surveying work to first locate then digging to identify the assets. Otherwise they're relying on whatever records have survived up to 200 years through to whenever their predecessor maintainers started computerised record keeping. And those old records will be subject to the margin of error in mapping of the time, and may not have been updated with any changes in the however long since they were first made.

I would imagine the funding would only have been for converting existing records into a new system, at best. Not for validating the data.

It's not surprising those records aren't 100% complete, and that the ones that did survive aren't 100% accurate.

 

[fishwomp]

It never ends…

Whilst I fully understand that combining utility works makes sense while the road is closed and you have access, it does feel like it’s one thing after another unfortunately.

TBH, Isn't fixing a gas leak a good idea?? This isn't about combining utility work, but about fixing a newly discovered old problem.

 

[officewalla]

The gift that keeps on giving!

 

[Edvid]

They're now working toward a 20 September reopening.

Network Rail sets new date for Botley Road reopening

Network Rail has confirmed today that Botley Road in Oxford will reopen to traffic on Sunday 20 September.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Wednesday 29 Jul 2026

Network Rail sets new date for Botley Road reopening​

Region & Route: Wales & Western: Great Western

Network Rail has confirmed today that Botley Road in Oxford will reopen to traffic on Sunday 20 September.

The reopening of Botley Road had previously been planned for the end of August, following a programme review and revision in January 2025 that prioritised reopening the road to traffic.

However, during excavation work relating to drainage for the new road layout, three minor gas leaks were identified on part of the gas network owned by SGN.

In the interests of safety, and to avoid disruptive and unplanned repair work in the future, Network Rail agreed to accommodate SGN's essential work to replace a section of the gas network beneath Botley Road, alongside the completion of the remaining construction work.

Since then, Network Rail and SGN have been working closely to integrate their programmes. SGN’s work will finish on Saturday 8 August.

Network Rail will then complete their remaining works safely and as quickly as possible. Further updates will be provided as work progresses.

 

[4COR]

They're now working toward a 20 September reopening.

Network Rail sets new date for Botley Road reopening

Network Rail has confirmed today that Botley Road in Oxford will reopen to traffic on Sunday 20 September.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Place your bets...

 

[Edvid]

The short July 2026 update (published before the revised target date was confirmed) includes a map illustrating the cast iron gas main, replacement plastic gas main and unlabelled attenuation tank-manhole connection pathways. As I suspected their paths intersect from a 2D POV.



SGN's website includes a bit more detail on their particular works.

From Monday 27 July, we're working in Botley Road under Network Rail's existing extended road closure to upgrade our gas network for approximately two weeks.

These essential works will involve replacing an old, metal pipe with a new longer-lasting plastic one so that we can continue to provide the community with a safe and efficient gas supply.

We expect to complete the new pipe installation and carry out tests on it by Sunday 2 August.

From Monday 3 August, we'll be connecting the new pipe to other existing pipes in the road. This should be completed by Saturday 8 August.

Our engineers will be working weekends and extended hours to complete this work as quickly and safely as possible.

 

[Edvid]

19 August 2026 resident/business update uploaded today.

For those of you who remember the milestone table from February 2025, NR have produced another table of what are really mini-milestones...



Beyond 20 September the northern walkway will reopen up to 10 days later.

Details of the remaining highway & footway works are spread across pages 10-14.

Thames Water works permit on Osney Bridge (at road traffic level) is extended is 10 September, but the jury's out on all the following being done by 20 September...



Finally, pictured below is the east side of the Botley Road worksite (19 August) with relatively minor works visible on the highway and northern walkway.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Yesterday at 21:39 ==

Had a look at Thames Water's project page and was surprised to find their latest update is actually somewhat detailed...

• Carriageway: We're working with Oxfordshire County Council to keep the lane closure on Osney Bridge until 18 September.
  • Traffic will flow freely again from 20 September, when Network Rail reopens Botley Road.
  • However, we will still need overnight lane closures on Osney Bridge from 8pm to 6pm. This is needed to finish the last stages of the project.
  • If everything goes as planned, we expect these overnight closures to last about 3 to 4 weeks.
  • Removing daytime restrictions will greatly reduce disruption. It will also allow us to complete this vital work and maintain a reliable water supply for local communities.
  • As part of the carriageway lane closure, temporary traffic lights on a timer will continue to be in place until it reopens