Oxford City Station Phase 2C Botley Road

Oxfordshire Connect – Oxford Rail Station and area upgrade.

Network Rail is investing £161 million in expanding Oxford Station with a new platform and western entrance, as well as significant improvements to the area beneath Botley Road bridge. The full replacement of the bridge over Botley Road will also address.

  • the vehicle headroom issues below the bridges (by lowering Botley Road)
  • the historic local flooding incidents (by improving the drainage provisions)
  • the Active Travel issues (by providing new pedestrian and cycleways)

Before the bridge can be physically replaced, all utility services that currently run underneath the road need to be diverted. This means the road has been closed at the bridge.

Following delays to the project, Network Rail and the Department of Transport have updated their programme to complete the work.

The new schedule will see Botley Road reopen in August 2026, while improved access for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced this summer.

Businesses along Botley Road and Osney Mead will remain open as normal during the works.

Travel guidance

Until the end of October 2024:

Motorists who usually use Botley Road to get into the city are advised to use one of the city’s park and ride sites (Seacourt is on Botley Road) or to take an alternative route into the city.

The closure is expected to increase traffic on other main routes into the city, such as Abingdon, Woodstock and Banbury Roads.

Buses are dropping passengers off at Osney Bridge so people can continue their journey to the railway station and the city centre on foot. For more information about specific services please visit 

Pedestrians and cyclists will have access to the railway station and onwards into the city throughout the work. Alternate routes include: 

  • Via Roger Dudman Way and Walton Well Road into Jericho 
  • Via Osney Lane footbridge (please note this route is not accessible)
  • Further information about local cycle routes

Accessible transport

For anyone who needs assistance getting to or from the city centre, there is an accessible bus service called The Botley Road Flyer operating from Osney and Botley. It runs seven days a week, taking people into town via Woodstock Road and Jericho. This includes stops in Summertown, at the Jericho Health Centre and Beaumont Street Surgery, as well as the Westgate Centre.

Monday to Saturday – Picking up from:

  • West Oxford Community Centre – 10am, 12pm & 3pm
  • Bus stop by Magenta self-storage – 10.05am, 12.05pm & 3.05pm
  • Bus stop on West Way by Elms Parade – 10.10am, 12.10pm & 3.10pm

Return journeys from city centre stops starting at 11am, 1pm & 4pm. The driver will make arrangements with passengers before dropping them off.

Sundays – Picking up from:

  • West Oxford Community Centre – 10am
  • Bus stop by Magenta self-storage – 10.05am
  • Bus stop on West Way by Elms Parade – 10.10am

Return journeys from the city centre start at 1pm. The driver will make arrangements with passengers before dropping them off.

The bus can take 12 passengers at a time, plus space for one wheelchair (please note the vehicle can be adapted to accommodate more wheelchairs but needs advance warning) If you have specific accessibility requirements, then please call 01865 768329 to make arrangements. For more specific information about the service email oxfordphase2@networkrail.co.uk

People who are unable to use public or other transport due to their medical condition can use the non-emergency patient transport service for getting to healthcare appointments. For further information visit www.scas.nhs.uk/what-we-do/nepts/

Local residents' access to their homes will remain at all times, with some diversions in place.

Local businesses on Botley Road and Osney Mead will remain open and accessible to vehicles via the west end of Botley Road only.

Coaches: City centre coach bays for set-down and pick-up purposes will remain in use during the Botley Road closure.

  • St Aldate's South (northbound) - just south of the Combined Court OX11TL
  • Beaumont Street (westbound) - just outside the Playhouse OX1 2LW
  • St Giles' (northbound) - in the lay-by by the Taylorian OX1 3NA

Coach operators are advised to follow the diversion routes, including Abingdon Road, which will be in operation during the closure and advertised via electronic signs.

Trains will operate as normal. Any temporary impact on services will be advertised well in advance. For more information please visit: 

For information about the rail replacement services that will operate during this time visit https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering/oxford

Keep informed

For information on the project visit networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect or for the latest highways information www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordstation

Anyone wishing to get the latest information on the project can sign up to receive e-mail updates at lineside.networkrail.co.uk/oxfordshireconnect