Traders will stage Botley Road protest on key Oxford date

Businesses in Oxford are planning a protest to coincide with a visit from rail minister Lord Hendy next month as politicians and traders call for urgent action on the reopening on Botley Road.

Lord Hendy has been warned he will "be walking into trouble if he comes to Oxford empty-handed" as traders demand clarity on when the works will be completed after months of uncertainty.

There have been repeated delays with a £161m scheme to improve the rail station which led to the closure of the key city route at the rail bridge in April last year.

In July, Network Rail said a series of delays with the scheme meant they would not be able to reopen Botley Road as planned in October.

The rail company said a review of the entire project would be conducted in conjunction with contractors Kier and the Department for Transport.

Now Lord Hendy has told Oxford West and Abingdon MP Layla Moran in a meeting that he will visit the city in January to provide an update on the work schedule.

Meanwhile, traders who say their businesses have been harmed by the closure of Botley Road are planning to lobby the minister.

Amanda Suliman-Bell, of Rainbow & Spoon boutique, complained earlier this year that footfall at her shop fell 90 per cent when Network Rail rerouted a walkway, taking customers to the opposite side of Frideswide Square.

Speaking this week, she said: "We were planning a protest in the square for January 11 but when we know the date of Lord Hendy's visit we will coincide it with that so it has more impact.

"It's not just me - shops and businesses across west Oxford and other parts of the city have been badly affected by the Botley Road closure.

"When Lord Hendy visits I expect him to say something concrete and provide a finish date for the project and a date for the reopening of Botley Road."

Julian Le Vay, of residents' group West Oxford Access, has been collecting statements from businesses, and residents with mobility issues, which are being compiled in a book to be published in advance of Lord Hendy's visit.

Mr Le Vay said: "Lord Hendy will be walking into trouble if he comes here empty-handed.

"We don't want just another Network Rail plan - we want the minister to ensure dates are met for the reopening of Botley Road, we want compensation for businesses, and we want an inquiry."

On Tuesday, Ms Moran met Lord Hendy and Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines to discuss the redevelopment of Oxford station and the ongoing closure of Botley Road.

Local business owners report they are experiencing up to a 60 per cent drop in income, she said.

She added that Network Rail apologised in the meeting for their mismanagement of the project.

The rail company has been faced with numerous hold-ups, including the discovery of a Victorian arch under the road, as well as difficulties diverting utility cables.

Ms Moran said she pressed those present on the issues facing local businesses, accessibility for those with mobility issues, and the anger and frustration of all local residents.

The minister confirmed the government’s commitment the project, and assured her he would travel to Oxford in January to meet with key stakeholders and provide a timeline for the works going forwards.

Ms Moran said following the meeting: "The main message from Network Rail and the Minister was 'sorry'. But frankly that is the least they could say.

"Our local community has endured this serious disruption for far too long, and the end is not yet in sight.

“I am pleased Network Rail are acknowledging their failings, and reiterated their commitment to the project."

The MP added: "I pressed hard on the need for support for local businesses, many of whom are struggling and some of whom have already gone under.

"With the second Christmas of disruption fast approaching, extra support is sorely needed.

“Network Rail have demonstrated utterly shambolic project management from start to finish, and residents have lost all faith in them to deliver this project.

"It is up to them now to convince our community they have a credible plan to get this project finished."

Oxfordshire county councillor John Howson said improvements at Oxford station, particularly the creation of a new platform, were vital for East West Rail connections, with trains due to start running between Oxford and Milton Keynes by 2025.

He added: "The pressure is on for the Department for Transport, which has a whole raft of half-finished rail schemes and a Chancellor saying' I need to cut back public expenditure'."

In September, Lord Hendy wrote to council leaders in Oxford to say he was "acutely aware" of the disruption caused by the Botley Road closure.

He assured the councils his officials would "press Network Rail closely as it continues to produce a robust plan for completion of the Botley Road bridge works and the wider Oxford station enhancement project".

The Department for Transport said it was too soon to confirm Lord Hendy's visit.

Marshals will be present to manage the area and direct people via the Osney Lane footbridge as an alternative route during these closures.

For those who need assistance, there will be a transport service available from Becket Street and Mill Street which will run throughout that night shift, between 10pm and 8am.

Fills you full of confidence? No doubt traders and residents in west Oxford similarly.

MP to meet transport secretary over station delays

An Oxford MP is set to meet with the transport secretary to discuss delays to work to upgrade the city's rail station.

Layla Moran raised the lengthy delays to the £161m Network Rail project, which has seen Botley Road closed since April 2023, in Parliament on Tuesday.

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said the situation was not "good enough" and agreed to her request for a meeting.

Network Rail has described the project as "incredibly complex" and said it was "taking the time to get it right".

Ms Moran, the Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, said she was planning to attend a meeting of businesses affected by the works later in the week.

Her office said firms had reported up to a 60% drop in income and many were "deeply concerned" about how the closure would affect trade over Christmas.

Ms Moran said Network Rail's motto seemed to be "move slow and break things" and that it had "mismanaged" the train station upgrade.

She said she previously wrote to Transport minister Lord Hendy, who had agreed to meet with her, but now "seems too busy".

Ms Haigh said she agreed "the situation in Oxford isn't good enough".

She said she agreed with Ms Moran's characterisation of Network Rail and said that was "part of the reason" why it was being abolished.

"I will of course meet with her to discuss how we can improve the situation," Ms Haigh said.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Moran said she looked forward to finding "an acceptable way forward”.

“Network Rail have demonstrated utterly shambolic project management from start to finish, and residents have lost all faith in them to deliver this project," she added.

In a previous statement a Network Rail spokesman said: “We are working with the Department for Transport and local authority partners as we undertake a full review of the programme and will provide an update on timescales for the next steps of the project.

"This is an incredibly complex project, involving multiple organisations, so although we know everyone wants clarity, we are taking the time to get it right."

Oxford station upgrade: Trial holes drilled after complex utility diversions cause delays

[snip]

“There are a number of buried pipes and cables from various different companies, many of are strategically important e.g. water main. The condition of these pipes and cables is varied some abandoned and no clear owner identified,” they said.

Another major challenge is a brick arch that was discovered underneath Botley Road in sum 2023, that was not previously recorded. The arch is believed to be Victorian and was placed t manage water levels. As such, the impact of removing it was unknown.

Having not seen it for some time, the sight of the Botley Road bridge in September came as a surprise. (Photo below...)

Which is the footway that is to reopen please?

Mark

Oxford Mail https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/24504486.oxford-politician-said-botley-road-shut-end-2025/ now reporting that a local councillor has stated that the Botley Road is unlikely to be open until the end of 2025. No official announcement from Network Rail, but I do feel sorry for the residents of Oxford.

Amanda Suliman-Bell, who runs Rainbow & Spoon cafe, complained that footfall had fallen by 90 per cent since the diversion, which guides pedestrians away from the south side of the square.

Earlier this month Mrs Suliman-Bell said she feared she would have to shut the store if the original walkway was not restored in the near future.

She emailed Network Rail and contractors Kier urging them to restore the original pedestrian walkway as soon as possible.

She said in her email: "I have lost 90 per cent of my footfall since you changed the walkway over on July 1 - with absolutely no warning, no announcement, no hint and zero thought as to how it might impact those businesses on the south side of Frideswide Square - indeed the only side of the square where there are businesses."

I do though agree that combined services cable ducting would be a good idea. It's just that we are about 200 years too late now!

Fibre in water

March 2022 - We’re doing our research

Our plan is to put the fibre cables into ‘messenger pipes’, which are made from the same material as our new water pipes. The messenger pipes will protect the fibre cables and make sure they don’t touch the water.

But first things first, we need to make sure this is safe for customers. We’ll look into any possible risks and will iron out any potential problems with the design, technology or processes.
 
What’s next?

If the project passes the initial research phase, 17km of fibre-optic cables will be laid in our water pipes between Barnsley and Penistone in 2023. This will be the first time a project like this has been trialled in the UK!

Combining two industries meant there was a lack of clarity when it came to industry approved standards which meant certification became a challenge. An important aspect of using the clean water network is that anything installed within the network first needs Regulation 31 (Reg 31) approval from the DWI. For this project, approvals were needed for the installation method and the finished installed product. At the time of writing, almost 2 years after the TAWCO project was awarded funding, approval for the finished product remains outstanding and subsequently there is a barrier to adoption until this issue is resolved.

In addition to the enabling technology, alignment of the operational processes of two very disparate industries – from design and construction to ownership and operation, including ‘break-fix’ – presented a significant challenge. TAWCO successfully defined aligned processes and as such has created

To add to the list of service companies/contacts-

1 - The sewerage and water supply divisions of Thames Water will be two different business units
2 - There will be highway drains (Oxfordshire County Council) as well
3 - In addition to any commercial fibre companies, it is likely that "JANET" (the Joint Academic Network) has a line through here.
4 - I think that I have read somewhere that there's also a culverted watercourse in the mix - step forward the Environment Agency
5 - Then there will also be the railway's own drains & services. I understand the lack (or loss) of these is one the many reasons for the problems and delays with the GW Mainline electrification.

BTW - I believe that moving fibre cables may not be simple or straightforward either.

I do though agree that combined services cable ducting would be a good idea. It's just that we are about 200 years too late now!

Perhaps there are - and were - more than that, especially if you are doing PR and playing "make the biggest number". If you list utilities as distinct network types, not by owner, you get: gas, electricity, water, foul sewers, road drains, cable TV (that standard location inherited by Virgin Media for fibre), telephone, and then fibre. Functionally, most of these may exist as a local distribution network and trunk connections too, which be operated separately.

But the fibres are unlikely to have been a problem. Last in and closest to the surface, they are easy to reroute on the timescales here. And I doubt they would be in the roadway under the bridge anyway, even long-distance ones.

Functionally, most of these may exist as a local distribution network and trunk connections too, which be operated separately.

But the fibres are unlikely to have been a problem. Last in and closest to the surface, they are easy to reroute on the timescales here. And I doubt they would be in the roadway under the bridge anyway, even long-distance ones.

No but at least there were only 4 possible utility operators (Water Authority, Post office Telephones, Electricity Board, Gas Board) to deal with not 11!

Are the pre Nationalisation public services pipes and cables exempt?  I suspect there are quite a few pipes and cables dating back before WW2, which may be abandoned and the ownership is unknown and proving they are abandoned and therefore safe to cut may be a challenge 

Another mess caused by the blind ideological insistence on competition in the provision of public services to solve a problem created by privatisation.  

Note what Network Rail said about "Kier and the 11 different utility providers involved". I can't imagine how there are as many as eleven, even if half of them are fibre operators, but I'm not surprised that coordinating them is difficult. It's probably more difficult than it should be.

You can imagine the meeting (live or Teams) which goes "we've found an old pipe that is is our way, so our work has to be changed and will take a bit longer" - "oh, that means we will have to replan our work,  and then schedule a new time (much later) to do that" - "ah, if we have to delay our work that means ..." etc. etc.

The time allowed looks long enough to an outsider, and given the constraints on booking rail closures NR must have allowed as long as they though it could possibly take plus a bit on top. I don't imagine NR, Kier, and these utilities companies are still all best friends.

I don't imagine NR, Kier, and these utilities companies are still all best friends.

Statement in response to Network Rail's announcement about Botley Road
Botley Road 11 July 2024

Oxfordshire County Council is extremely frustrated that Network Rail is postponing the replacement of Botley railway bridge at the end of this month and is unable to reopen Botley Road in October as a result. The council is in discussion with Network Rail to understand the implications of this.

Residents and businesses have shown incredible patience with more than a year of disruption to their lives because of this project, which has already had its timetable altered twice before and seen its closure dates extended. We have expressed our deep dissatisfaction to Network Rail and to the Department for Transport about this.

The launch of the council’s traffic filters trial planned to start in November is now in question, with various options being considered as a result. The trial aims to tackle Oxford’s chronic congestion problems and dramatically improve bus journey times. We are calling on and working with Network Rail to find an acceptable solution to this situation quickly.

The council remains incredibly supportive of improvements to the rail station for Oxford with improved capacity for passengers and freight, which is vital for the development of projects such as East West Rail.

In the meantime, we will continue to do all we can to work with partners to minimise the impact on the rest of the road network.

Lack of records for utilities under a road is hardly the fault of network Rail though, is it? Surely the highway authority is at fault here?

The project to replace Botley Road Bridge seems to have gone very quiet.

According to NR the bridge is due to be replaced between July 27 and July 31st 2024, and that is less than 3 weeks away. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/oxfordshire/botley-road-bridge-replacement/

I have seen no advertising around replacement bus services and GWR seem to be running a normal train service and there is no mention of engineering works between those dates on their website. https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering.

So can we assume that this project is running late? And if it is has anyone seen any mention of alternative dates? 

And what is the impact on the opening of Botley Road which is supposed to happen in October 2024?

Oxford’s major rail and road improvement project is progressing but more time is needed before Botley Road can reopen

Network Rail has confirmed that significant progress is being made on the multi-million-pound programme to upgrade Oxford Station, enhance the railway infrastructure in the area and improve the local transport network, however more time is required to complete the highly complex utility diversion works including mains water and sewer pipes under Botley Road.

The replacement of the railway bridge, which was scheduled to take place at end of this month, has been postponed as, despite concerted effort by all organisations involved, the work to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road, including the sewer system, cannot be completed in time. Unfortunately as a result Botley Road, which has been closed under the rail bridge since April 2023, will not now reopen in October as planned. Network Rail and its contractor, Kier, are working with the local authorities to agree the best way forward to complete the project and minimise impact on the city.

Anna Holbrook, industry programme director at Network Rail said: “Although our work is progressing well on most aspects of this major programme, including the construction of the new platform on the western side of the station, the bridge replacement has unfortunately had to be postponed as the work to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road, including the sewer system, will not be ready in time. We have informed the councils that Botley Road will not now be able to be reopened in October.  We know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologise to local residents and businesses for the ongoing inconvenience. We are working out the best way forward and will continue to engage with the local community as our plans develop.”

Kier and the 11 different utility providers involved continue to make progress on diverting the large number of pipes and cables, including the water main and sewer, which need to be completed before the bridge can be replaced. Working on this outdated maze of pipes and cables spread out below the highway, in a severely constrained space, with poor ground conditions and significant water levels, continues to make this work very challenging.

Once fully complete, the upgrades will result in a bigger and better station, more rail services for passengers and an improved road network near Oxford station with safer junctions, and more space for cyclists and pedestrians through the addition of a four-metre cycle/footway on each side of the main road.

Botley Road bridge installation postponed

You will no doubt be disappointed to learn that we have had to postpone the replacement of Botley Road railway bridge that was planned for the end of July.

As you're probably aware, we’ve been working to divert the complex layout of utility pipes and cables under the road, including the sewer system, to make the necessary space for the new bridge layout.

Working on this outdated maze of pipes and cables spread out below the highway, in a severely constrained space, with poor ground conditions and high water levels, has presented significant engineering challenges.

Unfortunately, despite concerted effort by all organisations involved, the work can’t be completed in time to tie in with our planned closure of the railway at the end of this month...

No one is saying that the extra platform will be completed/operational. Just that the bridge is swapped out & replaced & the lines currently present put back (with a TSO presumably?)

Other bridges have been done with a Friday night - Monday morning closure.

There's plenty of mention of it on that GWR page including:

Oxford area - Saturday 27th to Wednesday 31st July
Track renewal work will affect train services between Oxford and Banbury, plus trains between Oxford and Didcot Parkway on the weekend of 27/28 July.

Replacement buses are planned between:

    Oxford and Banbury (on all dates)
    Oxford and Didcot Parkway (weekend of 27/28 July only)

In addition all the replacement/amended services are loaded into the journey planners and realtimetrains.

The Oxford-Banbury RRS is to do with other unconnected works in the Aynho junction area as there is a total block between Banbury & Bicester Village.

It does seem that the actual bridge replacement is going in over the weekend, as trains appear to run again from Monday in a southbound direction.

The Oxford-Banbury RRS is to do with other unconnected works in the Aynho junction area as there is a total block between Banbury & Bicester Village.

The project to replace Botley Road Bridge seems to have gone very quiet.

According to NR the bridge is due to be replaced between July 27 and July 31st 2024, and that is less than 3 weeks away. https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/western/oxfordshire/botley-road-bridge-replacement/

I have seen no advertising around replacement bus services and GWR seem to be running a normal train service and there is no mention of engineering works between those dates on their website. https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering.

So can we assume that this project is running late? And if it is has anyone seen any mention of alternative dates? 

And what is the impact on the opening of Botley Road which is supposed to happen in October 2024?

Given that the builders gave the dip beneath Botley rail bridge a brick invert presumably to hold back the groundwater, and the dip still originally needed a steam-powered pump to drain it, it's surprising in a way that the presence of the brick invert faded from memory to the extent that it had to be rediscovered.

Seems weird that they discovered new problems as they went along. I mean, it's all above ground and easily inspectable before starting, no?

-> actually I've just seen that the problem was that they discovered an arch underground......

I think the dip under the existing bridge is drained by a pump and if that's always been the case it's a shame that exactly what was the pump provision in the early days of the line will be something lost to time.

Ah, a map, surveyed 1876, and next to the bridge, a 'Pump room'.

https://maps.nls.uk/view/231278895

The pump room persists on later 25" mapping, though it might have shrunk. Works to replace the Botley Road rail bridge will expose and remove elements of these early installations.

Which of the piers are to be moved and where to?  None of them seem to be intruding far into operational railway land at the moment.

*From Saturday 29 July until the early hours of Monday 7 August Network Rail will be working to upgrade the track just north of Oxford Station - installing new high speed crossovers. To the south of the station,  Osney Lane footbridge will be modified, moving one of the piers to make way for track layout changes. Work will also be carried out to adjust the coping stones on platforms inside the station.

Yep, due to be demolished any day now

29 July to 6 August 2023 – Track work and prep work for new platform – rail services impacted. Alternative travel arrangements and advice will be publicised in advance

August 2024 – Four-day rail closure for bridge replacement.

Now reported by Network Rail that Botley Road will be closed from 11th April until October.

First report said that NR weren’t ready to start work on January 9th, further reports said that they were working to reduce the closure time.

Having issued the contract to Keir, it seems as it is they that aren’t ready? And as it’s Keir, presumably not caught yp in the RMT NR disruption?

Botley Road closure update

Replacing the bridge over Botley Road to facilitate a new platform, western entrance and road improvements is an incredibly complex project, which needs to be completed by the end of 2024 in time for the start of East West Rail services.

With it not only being vital for local transport provision, there are also multiple key utility services connecting to west of the city running both beneath the road and over the top of the bridge. So there are a number of significant challenges to overcome before work on the bridge can start.

We are working with partners to refine our plans for the delivery of the works to enhance the station and do not now need to start the full closure of Botley Road in January.

Part of this review is looking at how to reduce the impact of our work on the local community. Further details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

You need to pay online using the app or by phone quoting the car park code number. As I understand it is like Bristol Parkway and there are two codes. If you pay using the publicly available code it is very expensive £30.  However once you are on the platform there is a dot matrix sign with another code which if you use that you get to pay the lower amount £6.70.  It is to try and ensure the car park is for rail users only. 

And that code hasn’t changed since introduction!

So anyone who has travelled from there likely knows this code, and can’t be keeping many out these days. I’m almost minded to post it here, in ordee that it might dinally get changed.

Hi there
I wonder if someone can tell me how much the car park is please? 
If I search on the APCOA app I can find the station but it does say "see platform for discount" so I assume there is a location code on posters beyond the ticket gates that gives a different price. 
The app seems to quote about 30 quid per day, but national rail and GWR website suggest 6.70 ! 
Parking Saturday to Sunday if this makes a difference.
Cheers
Alan

The council recognises that there would be challenges implementing the six trial traffic filters during the works for the replacement of the rail bridge and the closure of Botley Road as a result. If the council’s cabinet agrees to implement the trial filters, there would be a further recommendation that this should happen after the Botley Road reopens.

Community drop-in event – Thursday 17 November
The next community drop-in event is due to be held on afternoon of Thursday 17 November at the West Oxford Community Centre on Botley Road.

Members of the project team will be in the Mary Town Room between 13:00 and 17:00.

Oxford City Council probably asked for it to be as long as possible. No-one hates their residents more than Oxford City Council. I think the secretary of state for transport ought to step in here, though. Whatever the benefits are delivered by the railway improvements cannot possibly be worth the devastation caused by closing the only road into Oxford from the west for a year.

My thoughts also. If they are anything like Bristol City Council then nothing would surprise me at all. I like going to Oxford for work but given the impending disruption that this will cause I am glad I don't live there!

Dave

The City Council is planning authority, which deals with the bridge but has little to do with the road underneath it. That belongs to the County, as the local Highway Authority. I'm not sure whether they will be doing some rebuilding of Botley Road outside Network Rail's own project…

the Active Travel issues (by providing new pedestrian and cycle ways)

My thoughts also. If they are anything like Bristol City Council then nothing would surprise me at all. I like going to Oxford for work but given the impending disruption that this will cause I am glad I don't live there!

Dave

Oxfordshire County Council, as the local Highway Authority, is a key stakeholder in this project. The scope of the project includes highway works in addition to railway works. Whilst the developer Network Rail proposes to replace its existing rail bridges over Botley Road, it 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 cycle ways)

The County Council has supported this project to date, with oversight, and is included in the current Detailed Design stage and Traffic Management Planning for Network Rail’s overall delivery process.

Oxford City Council probably asked for it to be as long as possible.

I must admit I'm surprised Oxford City Council are prepared to allow such a long full closure of Botley Road to cars.  They cycle and footpath routes are going to be very busy!

I must admit I'm surprised Oxford City Council are prepared to allow such a long full closure of Botley Road to cars.  They cycle and footpath routes are going to be very busy!

It could happen, but turning the bus around will be difficult. Mill Street will remain open, but not really suitable for buses