Passengers travelling via Oxford are being urged to plan their journeys ahead at the start of February as Network Rail installs a new railway bridge adjacent to Oxford station as part of plans to boost rail services and capacity.
An amended timetable will be in place from Sunday 1 February until Sunday 8 February, with rail replacement services in place between Didcot Parkway and Oxford, and between Banbury and Oxford/Didcot Parkway.
The work to upgrade Oxford station, expanding the railway infrastructure in the area and improving the local road network will bring: a bigger, better station for everyone, more services with East West Rail, additional rail capacity for the future, including the Cowley Branch Line, and an improved and safer road layout
Giles Clark, project director for Network Rail, said: “This is a major milestone in our work to provide more capacity and better journeys for passengers in Oxford. We know getting to this stage has been a difficult journey for passengers and local residents, and I’d like to thank them for their ongoing patience as we install the new bridge.
“If you’re planning to travel via Oxford over the first week of February, please make sure to check your journey before travelling at National Rail Enquiries or with your train operator.”
Billy White, GWR Station Manager for Oxford, commented: “This new bridge over Botley Road is a really important investment in the long-term future of Oxford station and for the city as a whole.
“While some train services will be affected, trains will still run to London or the Cotswolds throughout as well as to Banbury, except on Sundays.
“During this period, replacement road transport will be operating for Banbury or Didcot Parkway from the long stay car park on Becket Street.
“At Didcot Parkway, trains will still be running between London Paddington and Cheltenham, South Wales or Bristol as well as services for the South Coast.
“It’s important that customers are aware that these alternative travel arrangements will make journey times much longer, so please plan ahead.”
Passengers should note the station car park on Becket Street will be shut for the duration of the time that these rail replacement services are running.
Pedestrian access through Oxford station will be maintained when Botley Road is closed during these works with temporary walkways between platforms.
Image credit: Network Rail
