Access to Banbury train station (Tramway Road improvements)

Why are these improvements needed?

Access to the station is difficult because of traffic and lack of dedicated routes for walking and cycling. These improvements will address congestion in the area as well as improving safety for walking and cycling and giving buses better access.

There is currently only one way into the station from Bridge Street. By creating a second route via Tramway Road this should avoid vehicles not being able to enter the station if there is an incident at Bridge Street.

The new route should improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists who currently do not have an adequate route from Tramway Road to the station forecourt. These improvements will include better pavements and cycle paths and safer crossings.

Station visitors, particularly those from the south of Banbury, should find it easier to access station car parking options as congestion will reduce in the immediate area.

Bus journey times and reliability to and from the station should also improve, with the new bus stops making taking the bus more convenient.

Encouraging more people to walk, cycle or take public transport if they can is a key ambition of Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan. The redesigned Tramway Road will help make these travel options easier and more attractive.

What will the improvements look like?

We are extending the northern end of Tramway Road to provide a new connection to Station Approach Road and the station surface car park for all vehicles via a compact roundabout.

Part of this new connection will be a signal-controlled route from Tramway Road to the station forecourt for cyclists and those using buses and taxis.

There will also be a new footway and cycleway from Tramway Road to the station, including new pedestrian crossings. New bus stops and cycle shelters, including cycle ramp access, will be provided at the station forecourt. New bus stops will also be built in Tramway Road.

We will improve the car parking and drop-off options, by providing a new all vehicle access to the station west car park from Station Approach Road via Tramway Road. New drop off bays will be provided at the station, provision for disabled bays on both sides of the station and an extra passenger drop off and collection layby on Tramway Road to the south of the proposed roundabout.

New and relocated vehicle access will be provided for commercial buildings and the Network Rail depot off Tramway Road and Station Approach Road.

New lighting will be installed in the station forecourt and along the section of Tramway Road in the scheme. Surface water drainage will also be improved, and new trees and plants added to the area.

When construction is finished, how will access to the station change for private vehicles?

All vehicles will be able to enter and exit Tramway Road and Bridge Street but there will be some changes to car park access.

Private vehicles will be able to enter Tramway Road and travel as far as the compact roundabout. Drivers will then be able to access the surface level car park or turn right onto Station Approach Road.

Private vehicles will be able to enter Bridge Street and travel to the station forecourt. To access the surface level car park and the eastern end of Station Approach Road they will need to exit via Bridge Street and enter via Tramway Road.

Will the speed limit change?

We are introducing a 20 miles per hour speed limit across the extent of the scheme.

Will car parking space be reduced?

During construction, the west station car park will be closed, and all station parking will be directed to the east station multi storey car park. 

When the work is completed there will be a reduction of west station parking numbers. This is to allow for the adoption of a new area of highway and more space required by the Network Rail depot. All other station parking facilities will be reinstated on a like for like basis or will be improved.

The existing multistorey car park to the east of the station currently has spare capacity and we will be providing new drop off and pick up locations throughout the area. Other improvements include better lighting, surfacing and drainage in the car parks. Directional signage will also be added.

How do these improvements relate to other changes in Banbury?

With more housing being built in and around Banbury, the station and local road network are forecast to become much busier.

By improving access to the railway station and the town centre, especially from the south of the town, the Tramway Road improvements should reduce traffic and waiting times on Cherwell Street and at the A4260/Bridge Street junction.

The improvements should also make it more pleasant and convenient for people to walk, cycle or take the bus to the station. This should help to balance any increase in private vehicle journeys and further reduce congestion in the local area.

The new Canalside area of Banbury will also be better connected with the station and town centre.

Have you consulted on these plans?

In January 2020 we held a public consultation on early proposals, which included a public exhibition and an online survey. All responses were analysed, and the feedback helped us to update our plans during summer 2020. Read the 2020 consultation report (pdf format, 192 KB).

We also held a public consultation on our updated plans from 16 November to 14 December 2021. We reviewed all comments and used them to develop the design further. Read the 2021 consultation report (pdf format, 3.8 MB).

When was planning permission granted?

Following a review of the design in December 2021 a planning application was submitted. Planning permission was granted on 27 October 2022. Throughout the planning process we made changes to the plans based on feedback from key stakeholders such as Network Rail and Chiltern Railway.

How did you decide on the design?

We used planning application feedback, technical assessments and data modelling, safety reports, and a cost review to help us decide on the right design.

We also considered council policies, and reviewed feedback from residents, business owners, cycling groups, Network Rail, Chiltern Railways, town and district councils and the Stagecoach bus company.

We completed the preliminary design in spring 2022 and the detailed design in summer 2024. We also used the findings from trial holes that we dug to investigate the condition of the ground, in spring 2023 and spring 2024.

The design is compliant with guidance and any necessary safety audits have taken place.

When will work start?

Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2024 and expected to finish in September 2025.

What can I expect when construction starts?

An outline of the planned work can be found above, including maps of any current diversion route. The timeline and details may change.

Access to the station will always be provided, with designated walking and cycling routes and access for disabled people in place, as well as vehicle diversions.

Access to station car parking and the Network Rail depot will be via Tramway Road and signs will be installed to direct drivers.

During construction there will be no change to the passenger facilities available within the station building.

How will you mitigate the environmental impact in the area?

Vibrations: We don’t expect vibration to have an impact. This was assessed through ground investigation works.

Traffic congestion: A traffic and pedestrian management plan was produced and reviewed as part of the planning process. Our contractor assessed and mitigated the risks associated with the movement of vehicles, large machinery, and pedestrians (both site workers and members of the public) around the site.

Light pollution: We plan to install enough temporary lights to ensure the safety of road users is not compromised. We will maintain existing lighting levels around the site and will not increase the light levels at night. Any flood lights installed in the compound will be angled down to limit light pollution.

How will you mitigate noise and air pollution in the area?

We will ensure that all tools are fitted with silencers and additional machinery and equipment are positioned furthest away from areas where the public could be affected and behind noise barriers. Noise will be reduced through planning, using quieter equipment and anti-vibration mounts. A noise monitoring system will be used to evaluate how our activities affect the surroundings.

To mitigate dust and air pollution, we will choose pre-made construction materials to reduce on-site activities. We will also use dust suppression equipment during the works.

Will there be enough space for cyclists, people with pushchairs, and people using wheelchairs or mobility aids to pass through during construction?

Yes, two metres of space will be provided and protected by barriers during construction.