Oxford’s council leader expresses frustration over the delayed reopening of Botley Road, impacting local residents and businesses.
Oxford: So, the big news is that Botley Road is still closed, and it’s got everyone buzzing. The rail minister, Lord Peter Hendy, popped into town to chat with local leaders and folks affected by the ongoing station project.
Network Rail finally laid out a new timeline for the £161 million upgrade, which has been a real headache since they shut down the road back in April 2023. They’re planning to build a new rail bridge, which is part of the whole upgrade to Oxford station.
During his visit, Lord Hendy promised that there would be better access for pedestrians and cyclists coming this summer. But, Councillor Susan Brown, the leader of the city council, didn’t hold back on her disappointment. She said the delays are really tough on the residents and businesses, especially in West Oxford and Botley.
She’s hoping for some real progress soon to help rebuild trust in this important project. It’s good to see Lord Hendy getting involved and listening to the concerns of the community.
There were even some protesters out there, making their voices heard while Lord Hendy was in town. Councillor Brown raised a few issues, like needing better access to the west side of the station and sorting out the pedestrian tunnel.
She believes that redeveloping the station is crucial for the city’s future. Without it, plans to reopen the Cowley Branch Line or boost capacity on East-West rail services just won’t work.
