Oxford upgrades face safety challenges as police step in to enforce new cycle walkway

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1. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25514661.oxford-police-patrol-station-walkway-monitor-cyclists/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
2. https://www.theoxfordmagazine.com/news/oxford-station-development-first-phase-of-new-pedestrian-and-cycle-route-to-open-in-august/ - Network Rail has confirmed that the first of two new pedestrian and cycleway routes by Botley Road Bridge at Oxford Train Station is on track to open by the end of August 2025. The four-metre-wide route, located along the northern (station) side of Botley Road, will provide a significant improvement over the existing narrow tunnel beneath the railway. Nearly three times as wide as the previous passage, the upgraded route will feature segregated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists, elevated from the road to enhance safety and accessibility. Once this new walkway and cycleway opens, there will be further changes to the temporary access arrangements at either end. Pedestrian access from the west will shift to the north side of Botley Road, as detailed in updated maps shared by Network Rail. This milestone forms part of a wider project to increase connectivity and capacity along this key gateway into the city. A second, equally wide pedestrian and cycle route — running beneath the southern (car park) side of Botley Road — is due to open by the end of August 2026, when the road is scheduled to reopen fully. Together, the two new routes will transform the experience for those walking or cycling into Oxford. Once complete, the road will be adopted by Oxfordshire County Council, which will take on long-term responsibility for its maintenance and safety. Until the project concludes in 2026, hoardings will remain around the worksite, and pedestrian and cycle routes may continue to be adjusted. Construction teams are continuing to make strong progress on the box structures that will support the new railway bridge and house the walkways. Recent activity includes the installation of shuttering in the north-west box ahead of concrete pouring, steel reinforcement for the roof of the north-east box, and similar works in the central box. Work is also progressing on the retaining wall that will connect the new bridge to additional tracks planned as part of Oxford Station’s future expansion. Upcoming railway closure in early 2026. Looking ahead, a critical phase of the programme will take place between 31 January and 09 February 2026, when the railway lines crossing the existing Botley Road bridge will close. During this period, engineers will remove the current structure and install three new bridge spans. This will involve lifting out the existing railway lines and replacing them once the new spans are in place. There will be approximately five days during this window when Botley Road itself will be closed to all traffic, including pedestrians and cyclists, due to heavy lifting and construction activities. To minimise disruption, Network Rail is proposing an alternative pedestrian route through Oxford station and is assessing appropriate provision for cyclists and scooter users. A dedicated sub-working group—including representatives from key user groups—is being established to help shape mitigation measures, particularly for people with reduced mobility. In the meantime, sewer diversion works continue. Alongside bridge and walkway works, progress continues on the complex sewer diversion beneath Botley Road. Following the removal of the tunnel boring machine, engineers encountered a buried concrete slab that delayed the installation of piles needed to excavate the reception pit. Despite the setback, work is advancing at pace, with teams on site seven days a week to complete the diversion as quickly as possible. Completion of this phase is now expected by mid-September 2025, with no impact anticipated on the wider timeline to reopen Botley Road in August 2026. Key works include the construction of a bespoke sewer chamber by extending the reception pit outside the Westgate Hotel. On the eastern side of the site, workers have been grouting joints between concrete sections in the launch pit, and excavation continues on the open-cut trench for the sewer. The sewer diversion is a crucial element of the broader infrastructure upgrade, helping to future-proof the area’s underground systems and support the city’s long-term growth. Additional information about the project timeline and community engagement activities can be found on Network Rail’s website.
3. https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/network-rail-announces-updated-timeline-for-reopening-of-botley-road-in-oxford/ - Network Rail has announced a new timeline for the reopening of Botley Road in Oxford to enable the building of a new bridge as part of the multi-million-pound programme to upgrade Oxford station and improve transport links to the city. The new programme will see Botley Road reopen in August 2026, and vastly improved access for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced this summer. This summer, a much-improved walkway – almost 4x the size of the old one – will open, giving much more space for pedestrians and cyclists to get into and out of the city as the rest of the project is completed. A new upgraded flood defence system will also be installed, which includes a new concrete layer well below ground to keep out rising ground water and a new pumping system with huge retention tanks to deal with surface water.
4. https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/major-enhancements-coming-oxford - Network Rail has unveiled a revised timeline for the reopening of Botley Road in Oxford, which is part of a multi-million-pound initiative to upgrade Oxford station and enhance the city's transport links. The updated schedule plans for Botley Road to reopen in August 2026, with significant improvements for pedestrians and cyclists set to be introduced this summer. This summer, a new and much larger walkway—nearly four times the size of the previous one—will be opened, providing ample space for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate in and out of the city as the project progresses. Additionally, an upgraded flood defence system will be installed, featuring a new concrete layer deep underground to prevent rising groundwater and a new pumping system with large retention tanks to manage surface water. Network Rail has collaborated closely with its contractors and the Department for Transport to develop a new programme for the Oxford Station Enhancement scheme. The project will deliver the necessary utility diversions, along with enhancements to Botley Road, the replacement of Sheepwash bridge to accommodate more rail services and the new platform 5, with a continued drive to identify cost efficiencies. Following feedback from residents and local businesses, Network Rail has put a range of measures in place to lessen the impact of the continued closure, including: The Botley Flyer bus service, which now operates five days a week, will continue to provide accessible free transport to the city centre 24/7 security marshals are in place to patrol the pedestrian tunnel near to the closure, offering support to those who need it and to keep those using the tunnel safe CCTV, lighting, signage and surfacing in the tunnel have been improved. New lighting and CCTV have been provided for the temporary alleyway along Becket Street from Frideswide Square Additional drop-off disabled bays have been provided on the western side of the station and a new travel assist point has been introduced for people with reduced mobility which will take them from the cabin to the station platform. In addition to enhancing transport links to the city, the completed project will facilitate more train services, improve the station environment, and provide significant accessibility upgrades with wide pedestrian paths and cycleways separated from busy traffic. During the initial phase of the project, two major challenges were discovered. The first was a Victorian brick arch, which turned out to be three times larger than historical records and ground investigations had indicated. This arch was more integral to the structure of Botley Road and the flood defence system than previously thought. The second challenge was the close proximity of sewerage to clean water, which prevented simultaneous work on both systems as originally planned. Thames Water has now devised a satisfactory solution to reroute the water supply and the main sewer, which has been incorporated into the new scheme and schedule.
5. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24438013.oxford-man-charged-bmw-left-blocking-walkway/ - A man has been charged with drink-driving after a BMW car was left blocking the pedestrian walkway near Oxford's railway station. Police were called to Botley Road at around 3.30am on Sunday, July 7, to reports of a man who had driven down the walkway. Pedestrians have been using a narrow walkway to get past the ongoing works at the rail bridge that has resulted in Botley Road being closed to vehicles for more than a year. However, the walkway was blocked by a BMW car, with one eyewitness saying he came across the obstacle on his way to work at around 4am. Aaron Brickley, aged 24, of Ticknell Piece Road, Charlbury, was charged with one count of driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit. He has been bailed to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on July 30. The car was towed away from the walkway at around 11.45am. In a statement issued at 12.30pm, Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said: "I understand the walkway is about to reopen if it isn’t already. Thanks to the staff who have done their best in this situation. As to the cause of the disruption - this is now rightly a matter for the police." Cyclists had to carry their bikes up the flight of stairs where the railway bridge crosses the pathway while it was blocked off.
6. https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24435787.oxford-bmw-car-stuck-botley-road-pedestrian-walkway/ - A 24-year-old motorist has been arrested after a car was stuck at the pedestrian walkway overnight near Oxford railway station. Pedestrians have been using a narrow walkway to get past the ongoing works at the rail bridge that has seen Botley Road closed for over a year. The £161m scheme to upgrade the city's rail station, which started in April 2023, has meant there has been no vehicle access into and out of the city centre via Botley Road. People were blocked off by the car, with one eyewitness saying he came across the obstacle on his way to work at around 4am. Police were called to Botley Road at around 3.30am on Sunday, July 7, to reports of a man who had driven down the walkway. A 24-year-old man from Charlbury has been arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle dangerously and driving a motor vehicle with alcohol concentration above the prescribed limit. He remains in police custody at this time. The car was towed away from the walkway at around 11.45am. Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran said: “I am aware there is a car stuck in the pedestrian tunnel connecting the Botley Road to Frideswide Square. While the authorities are working to free it I am worried about access for those with mobility issues. I’ve asked for more information and one of my team is going to look now.” Botley Road is scheduled to reopen at the rail bridge on October 24.