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: 28 Aug 2026 ==

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

* Assuming they actually mean 6am here...

 

[Oxfordblues]

"8pm til 6pm"? This is why we have a 24-hour clock!

 

[fishwomp]

Oxford Mail etc have this today about Platform 5 and western entrance:

Oxford station entrance funding is now 'in doubt', says expert

Funding for Oxford's station's new western entrance could be in doubt, according to a rail industry expert

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk

Rail industry expert Paul Clifton, a former BBC transport correspondent for 30 years and a regular contributor to Rail Magazine, said funding for the western entrance was in doubt due to financial pressures on the rail network as a whole - largely caused by the financial demands of HS2 - a high-speed railway currently under construction, designed to connect London, the West Midlands, and other major regions.

Mr Clifton said: "Total investment in new and enhanced rail infrastructure reduced last year. Down four per cent to £10 billion.

"£1 in every £3 of the Department for Transport’s entire capital budget went on HS2 last year. It is simply sucking all the available oxygen from the rest of the railway.

"That’s not my phrase. That phrase comes from the former chief executive of Network Rail, Sir Andrew Haines, who lives down the road in Wantage."

Is just opinion, as far as I can tell - but perhaps he knows more than he can say.

Given the main thing Oxford needs isn't a western entrance but _is_ another platform, it might be a good time for cutting cloth to fit. What's actually needed? New platform face, new track, new bridge and junction at north end of station and emergency exits / refuge on p4/p5..

New entrance? Could live without.. Oxford has often been said to have temporary station buildings for a century and more.. a few more years would be in keeping with that!

 

[zwk500]

Oxford Mail etc have this today about Platform 5 and western entrance:

Oxford station entrance funding is now 'in doubt', says expert

Funding for Oxford's station's new western entrance could be in doubt, according to a rail industry expert

www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk

Is just opinion, as far as I can tell - but perhaps he knows more than he can say.

Given the main thing Oxford needs isn't a western entrance but _is_ another platform, it might be a good time for cutting cloth to fit. What's actually needed? New platform face, new track, new bridge and junction at north end of station and emergency exits / refuge on p4/p5..

New entrance? Could live without.. Oxford has often been said to have temporary station buildings for a century and more.. a few more years would be in keeping with that!

How much would a 'bare minimum' entrance cost in proportion to the rest of the project? And how much time would it save versus having to go under the bridge (with it's newly widened walkways) and up to the current entrance?

I can absolutely see that it doesn't necessarily need a fancy building, but it does feel like providing an entrance on either side isn't the most ridiculous ask in the worl.d

 

[cle]

Agree that a better 'master' entrance and station facilities (with the various works rumoured for it) - would be a better investment, once P5 is operational.

 

[Zomboid]

Assuming there's a subway/ emergency exit needed there anyway, a couple of ticket gates and a ticket machine in a bus shelter would do for the short to medium term. I don't know how much P5 trackbed has been installed yet, but it really should include the subway bridge structure.

In the longer term a decent entrance there would make the job of replacing the existing (and extending P2 over the bridge) much easier. I would imagine the ultimate crayon creation would be something with most of the facilities on a Reading style transfer deck with 3 Island platforms (1 becoming 2 north facing bays for EWR).

 

[JamesT]

How much would a 'bare minimum' entrance cost in proportion to the rest of the project? And how much time would it save versus having to go under the bridge (with it's newly widened walkways) and up to the current entrance?

I can absolutely see that it doesn't necessarily need a fancy building, but it does feel like providing an entrance on either side isn't the most ridiculous ask in the worl.d

I don't recall there were many bells and whistles on the proposed Western entrance. But I think it is absolutely necessary as part of the platform 5 works. You've now got two platform faces worth of passengers getting over the bridge within the station.

How many times do we need to learn the lesson that trying to redesign a project that is already late and over budget just makes it even more so?

 

[fishwomp]

How many times do we need to learn the lesson that trying to redesign a project that is already late and over budget just makes it even more so?

About as many times as we also have to learn that if a project is too expensive it can be cancelled because you never have the full amount, but nibbling at the money with smaller projects gets the job done. Anglia electrification in the 80s, for example, or Wigston wiring (although that is both a good and bad example).

 

[swt_passenger]

I don't know how much P5 trackbed has been installed yet, but it really should include the subway bridge structure.

I don’t think there’s anything significant started beyond the point a few metres past where the new P5 bridge span lands on the north side of Botley Rd.

 

[Oxfordblues]

The current small lift from Platform 4 often attracts a queue of passengers. At the very least we need a larger lift.

 

[hwl]

The current small lift from Platform 4 often attracts a queue of passengers. At the very least we need a larger lift.

And Platform 4 can take several minutes to clear the platform via the footbridge.

Given that Cowley and EWR will effectively need P5 how informed are Paul Clifton's comments? Or is it a case that the P5 cost would be pushed on to EWR and Cowley schemes?

 

[absolutelymilk]

About as many times as we also have to learn that if a project is too expensive it can be cancelled because you never have the full amount, but nibbling at the money with smaller projects gets the job done. Anglia electrification in the 80s, for example, or Wigston wiring (although that is both a good and bad example).

Presumably electrification is a bit easier to split into discrete projects?

 

[59CosG95]

Presumably electrification is a bit easier to split into discrete projects?

Definitely easier to section off, until you get to grid connections. Thankfully, in the case of Oxford, the grid connection (at Foxhall, nr Didcot) is already in place. It's just a question now of un-mothballing the OLE from there to Oxford, including (but not limited to) the switching site at Radley. Oxford was also meant to have one, but it never got built.

 

[Farnborough]

Agree that a better 'master' entrance and station facilities (with the various works rumoured for it) - would be a better investment, once P5 is operational.

The Eastern side will need to be rebuilt if the other through track is to be used...

It would be really ironic if the Eastern Entrance rebuild was blocked because there wasn't a Western Entrance