Oxford City Station Phase 2C Botley Road
Oxfordshire Connect – Oxford rail station and area upgrade
Oxfordshire County Council, as the local Highway Authority, is a key stakeholder in this project. In addition to expanding the station with new platform and western entrance, the £161 million project will also see 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)
We are working with Network Rail and its contractor, Kier, to finalise plans for the delivery of the work. Before the bridge can be physically replaced next year, all utility services that currently run underneath the road need to be diverted. This means the road will be closed at the bridge.
Travel guidance
Between Tuesday 11 April and the end of October:
Motorists that 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.
Until the end of September 2023, passengers can take advantage of a combined ticket at a reduced price which covers both parking and return bus travel at a rate of £4 for a car with only one adult, or £5 for a car and two adults. With both options, up to three children under 16 can travel for free.
Buses will turn around just before the rail bridge allowing passengers to continue their journey to the railway station and into 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
Local residents' access to their homes will remain at all times, with some diversions in place.
Local businesses on Botley Road 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:
Changes in autumn
In the autumn this section of Botley Road near the station will reopen until it closes again in the spring of 2024 for the bridge to be demolished and replaced and highway improvements made.