Oxford Corridor Phase 2 & Platform 5 updates

[Benjwri]

Given how many outlets currently sit empty in recently rebuilt/refurbished stations I'm not exactly surprised that retail is being reconsidered.

 

[themiller]

I'm not sure how attractive it would be on that side, almost all of Oxford, plus the car park and bus stops are on the eastern side. No doubt people will use a Western entrance, but most footfall will continue to be via the existing entrance.

I'd have thought that space for a coffee cart would probably meet the likely demand on the western side. Which doesn't need a huge amount of space, and could even be outside.

If it becomes the main entrance during a rebuild of the existing then temporary facilities could probably be provided.

The problem with temporary facilities is that they’re expensive as all the function of a permanent facility has to be provided at most of the cost of the permanent facility. It’d probably be more cost effective to just build a permanent one rather than trying to meet fire regs etc with a flimsy, life limited structure.

 

[fishwomp]

Previously platform 4 had a coffee shop/newsagent, which seems the minimum set you’d want for passengers coming through that entrance.
https://gat04-live-1517c8a4486c4160...5_-_design_and_access_statement80251547_1.pdf Is the current design which is presumably what they’re reconsidering.

Thanks for finding that. Probably first time I've looked at that in 'depth'.

It looks like one retail unit only, in that design (july 2021) - and it has the living roof - so this is prior to 'value engineering'. Soon enough there'll be a little shed / porta-horse-box selling coffees out the front, and no retail, but hey, it works.. they'll just need to put it in their artist visualization (plus add a few rough sleepers, also curiously omitted), and it's job done!

Also a strange choice: not building the tunnel through to the other side - meaning it's of no value for the southbound platforms and the bridge remains at capacity. Looks like they've already done one pass of cost-cutting! They do say that it's a possible future addition.

 

[JamesT]

Also a strange choice: not building the tunnel through to the other side - meaning it's of no value for the southbound platforms and the bridge remains at capacity. Looks like they've already done one pass of cost-cutting! They do say that it's a possible future addition.

A tunnel to the other side would be running under the live railway and you’d have to at least partially rebuild the main station building to have a subway entrance on that side. That’s a considerably more complex piece of work than a subway under an unbuilt track.
It would also potentially be redundant should the plans for a major redevelopment with a transfer deck come to fruition.

 

[swt_passenger]

Thanks for finding that. Probably first time I've looked at that in 'depth'.

It looks like one retail unit only, in that design (july 2021) - and it has the living roof - so this is prior to 'value engineering'. Soon enough there'll be a little shed / porta-horse-box selling coffees out the front, and no retail, but hey, it works.. they'll just need to put it in their artist visualization (plus add a few rough sleepers, also curiously omitted), and it's job done!

Also a strange choice: not building the tunnel through to the other side - meaning it's of no value for the southbound platforms and the bridge remains at capacity. Looks like they've already done one pass of cost-cutting! They do say that it's a possible future addition.

It has also been discussed earlier in the thread, around March 2023, post #182 onwards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: Saturday at 10:29 ==

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).

I suspect a three island layout (plus bays) just cannot be built on the existing footprint, assuming the position of the six tracks over Botley Road is now settled, so the two through tracks in the middle of the layout will never gain platform faces.

 

[takno]

I suspect a three island layout (plus bays) just cannot be built on the existing footprint, assuming the position of the six tracks over Botley Road is now settled, so the two through tracks in the middle of the layout will never gain platform faces.

The extra through line would go over the footbridge span and straight through the middle of the existing station building. The through lines are unaffected

 

[swt_passenger]

The extra through line would go over the footbridge span and straight through the middle of the existing station building. The through lines are unaffected

I know that, but that still only produces a two island station. The suggestion I was referring to was for a three island layout with additional bays… I was assuming a third ‘island’ being suggested meant another pair of through platforms.

 

[Zomboid]

4 through platforms plus maybe 2 shorter bays on the eastern side (or one full length bay) is about the maximum that Oxford station will get, unless someone decides to rebuild Botley Road again - and I doubt anyone would be brave enough to suggest that any time soon...

That should be sufficient though, a couple of 160m platforms should be able to handle the terminating trains from EWR, leaving 4 through platforms for the Marylebone to Cowley and the trains to/from Didcot.

The third island platform I mentioned is the two shorter bays, with buffer stops fairly close to the road.

 

[takno]

I know that, but that still only produces a two island station. The suggestion I was referring to was for a three island layout with additional bays… I was assuming a third ‘island’ being suggested meant another pair of through platforms.

Oh right, got you. For an updates thread this is going in some weird directions

 

[Nicholas43]

Given that Cowley and EWR will effectively need P5 how informed are Paul Clifton's comments?

The Cowley plan includes putting back the up relief between north Hinksey and south Hinksey, and reversible signalling. Therefore, Cowley > Marylebone trains can use platform 3. And Milton Keynes <> Oxford trains (whether or not trading under the absurd brand name East West Rail) can use platforms 1 and 2. Platform 5 would be Nice to Have for hourly Oxford <> Bristol.

 

[swt_passenger]

The Cowley plan includes putting back the up relief between north Hinksey and south Hinksey, and reversible signalling. Therefore, Cowley > Marylebone trains can use platform 3. And Milton Keynes <> Oxford trains (whether or not trading under the absurd brand name East West Rail) can use platforms 1 and 2. Platform 5 would be Nice to Have for hourly Oxford <> Bristol.

The line speeds (there’s a drawing way back in this thread), confirm that Platform 5 will be the primary northbound through platform.

 

[vic-rijrode]

Given how many outlets currently sit empty in recently rebuilt/refurbished stations I'm not exactly surprised that retail is being reconsidered.

I see your Oxford and I raise you Sunderland...

 

[cle]

The Cowley plan includes putting back the up relief between north Hinksey and south Hinksey, and reversible signalling. Therefore, Cowley > Marylebone trains can use platform 3. And Milton Keynes <> Oxford trains (whether or not trading under the absurd brand name East West Rail) can use platforms 1 and 2. Platform 5 would be Nice to Have for hourly Oxford <> Bristol.

I think p4 is for terminating from south, and p5 for through northbound services (excluding to Parkway)

4 would turn any of:

1tph fast Padd
2tph slow Padd (if wired)
0.5-1tph Bristol
Shuttles from South

The first (the fast) is likely to go onwards one day and thus likely to flow through P5 at that point

 

[Falcon1200]

I see your Oxford and I raise you Sunderland...

Apart from the buffet on Platform 4, which was possibly shut due to the impending station rebuild as much as due to lack of custom, are there any empty retail units at Oxford station? There are certainly, still, WH Smith, Greggs, M&S, Upper Crust, Costa and Pret a Manger, all of which look busy whenever I pass through.

 

[fishwomp]

I just spotted this one from last week. A redesign of the current station

Hawkins\Brown wins £2.6m job to design Oxford station masterplan

Scheme to include offices, life sciences and housing

www.bdonline.co.uk

Hawkins\Brown wins £2.6m job to design Oxford station masterplan
By Tom Lowe7 September 2026

Oxford station
Scheme to include offices, life sciences and housing

Hawkins\Brown has been awarded a £2.6m job to design the redevelopment of Oxford station and the surrounding area.

 

[rower40]

This is a grand example of one of the railway’s immutable laws:
There’s never enough money to do it properly, but there’s always enough money to do it twice.

 

[stuving]

I just spotted this one from last week. A redesign of the current station

Or, in fact, of everything except the station. But it's getting very confusing, all this masterplanning...

The Oxford station masterplan mentioned in some press reports was done in 2013/4 by Aedas (now AHR) for CCC/CCC/NR; It included pictures of station architectural design, but only to avoid leaving a blank gap in the pictures. The idea of a masterplan is that it designs the architecture of the whole area and the bits between the buildings, not the buildings themselves.

This was followed by a RIBA design competition that AHR won. The competition resulted in three designs (out of the six submitted) being "selected", but they have all been ignored since.

Then in 2020 Atkins won a competitive tender among engineering consultancies for a new Oxford station masterplan, for CCC/CCC/NR/OxLEP. Since I don't think they (now AtkinsRéalis) count as architects, even now, it's not entirely clear what they were designing. Unless someone can find their report online.

The western entrance currently shown in NR's pictures, was designed in 2021 by IDOM and NR, after the competition. It appears unrelated to all the winning designs, but then it is intended to be built on its own first.

The latest contract, let to Hawkins Brown Architecture (who did not enter the competition) by NR acting alone, is to update one or more of these past masterplans. In principle it does not involve the full design of the station or any other buildings, just their interfaces with the overall space in between. However, building entrances are fair game as they are where this interfacing happens. It also involves producing the planning application for phase 1 - but as there have been several kinds of Oxford station plan recently with phases 1 and 2 I'm not sure what that includes.

This is the description of the work from the public ITT (from bidstats):

Network Rail is seeking to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced architectural practice to lead the design and planning application for the redevelopment of Oxford Station and its surrounding area. This commission forms a critical part of the Oxford Station Masterplan, which aims to deliver a new vision for the station environment, supporting Oxford’s growth as a national rail hub and global innovation centre.

Scope of Services:

• Masterplanning: Develop and evolve previous scheme proposals to create a new, mixed-use masterplan that maximises value, integrates operational railway requirements, and aligns with Oxford City’s development and regeneration aspirations.

• Design Leadership: Act as lead architect for the masterplan, coordinating with specialist consultants and stakeholders to deliver a comprehensive design solution, including station entrances, public realm, multi-storey car park, cycle hub, offices, life sciences, hotel, and residential elements.

• Planning Application: Prepare and submit a detailed planning application for Phase 1, including all necessary supporting documents, reports, and stakeholder engagement as required by the local planning authority.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, Network Rail, train operating companies, and other key stakeholders throughout the design and planning process.

• Sustainability: Embed best practice in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives, targeting high levels of certification (e.g., BREEAM, WELL, NABERS, BNG, embodied carbon).

Key Deliverables:

• A new illustrative masterplan for the Oxford Station area, including phasing and delivery strategy.

• RIBA Stage 2+ design report for the first phase of development.

• Full planning application for Phase 1, including all required technical and supporting documentation.

• Coordination and integration of specialist inputs (e.g., transport, sustainability, heritage, engineering).

• Ongoing design and technical support through the planning determination period.

The contract will be let under the NR26 NEC4 Professional Service Short Contract (PSSC).

The scope of this procurement covers the development of the Oxford Station Masterplan and the delivery of a detailed planning application for Phase 1. Phase 2 services are entirely optional and may not be instructed. Any extension to include Phase 2 will be subject to separate approval and explicit instruction by Network Rail. The estimated total value and contract term stated in this notice is inclusive of both Phase 1 and the optional Phase 2.

Full details of the scope, deliverables, and requirements are provided in the procurement documents within the tender Pack.

Award Detail
1 Hawkins Brown Architecture (London)
Reference: 1
Value: £2,150,000

 

[Mikey C]

Apart from the buffet on Platform 4, which was possibly shut due to the impending station rebuild as much as due to lack of custom, are there any empty retail units at Oxford station? There are certainly, still, WH Smith, Greggs, M&S, Upper Crust, Costa and Pret a Manger, all of which look busy whenever I pass through.

Oxford is slightly more popular with tourists and visitors than Sunderland, I suspect

It also is slightly away from the town centre, and has a bus station, so people will be hanging around without vast numbers of alternative retail places right next door.

 

[Falcon1200]

Oxford is slightly more popular with tourists and visitors than Sunderland, I suspect

I agree, so a comparison with empty retail units at Sunderland is a bit of a red herring (not sure if M&S at Oxford station sell these however.....)