Minister of State for Rail responds positively to Oxford City Council’s concerns over Botley Road closure

The letter highlights concern about the length of time and the disruption to residents, businesses, and visitors to Oxford. 

In his response, Lord Hendy acknowledged these concerns, stating he is "acutely aware of the disruption the closure of Botley Road in April 2023 is causing and shares [Councillor Brown's] concerns."  

He extended his apologies for the inconvenience caused and, to address the disruption, Lord Hendy confirmed a series of improvements to help those affected: 

• Network Rail and Great Western Railway (GWR) will implement a joint plan to provide additional experienced staff to support people with reduced mobility. 

• A dedicated GWR-branded assisted travel meeting point will be established to the west of the Botley Road works, where staff will be available to assist those needing help. 

• Passengers requiring assistance will be escorted from the meeting point to the main station entrance and platform by trained staff. 

• Improvements to wayfinding, lighting, and access around the station area are being developed. 

• The towpath under Sheepwash Bridge has been reopened by Network Rail. 

• The Botley Flyer shuttle service has been increased to five days a week (Monday-Friday), with additional waiting areas on the west side of Botley Road. 

• Further improvements will be assessed as long as the closure continues. 

Lord Hendy has also assured the Council his officials will "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." 

Comment 

"I am very grateful to Lord Hendy for his swift and positive response to my letter to the new government asking for their assistance on behalf of the residents and businesses of Oxford to get the Botley Road open again as soon as possible.  

“We welcome the improvements which he has initiated in the meantime and the pressure that he and his office are bringing to help speed up the work." 

Councillor Susan Brown, Leader of Oxford City Council 

Reply from Lord Hendy, Minister of State for Rail (4 September 2024)

Dear Councillor Brown,

I am writing to provide an update on the actions being taken to address the concerns arising from the continuing closure of Botley Road, Oxford, as part of Network Rail’s project to upgrade Oxford Station.

I am acutely aware of the disruption the closure of Botley Road, in April 2023, is causing and share your concerns. I extend my apologies for the inconveniences to you personally and to local residents, businesses and visitors to Oxford. To address such issues, I can advise you that Network Rail, in delivering the project, and Great Western Railway (GWR), in operating the station, will be implementing a joint plan that will bolster the marshalling resources with appropriately experienced staff to support persons with reduced mobility throughout the period of disruption.

These arrangements include provision of a dedicated GWR branded assisted travel meeting point to the west of Botley Road works where staff will provide the first contact for those needing assistance. Passengers will be escorted/aided from the meeting point to the main station entrance and platform by trained staff that GWR use for events. Improvements in relation to wayfinding lighting and access are also being developed.

In addition, Network Rail has reopened the towpath under Sheepwash Bridge. Operation of the Botley Flyer has also increased to 5 days a week Monday to Friday with the implementation of an additional waiting area on the west side of Botley Road as soon as possible. The opportunity to implement further improvements will be assessed throughout the duration of the project including the feasibility of accessing the station from the west side.

In the meantime, my officials are pressing Network Rail closely as it continues to produce a robust plan for completing the Botley Road bridge works and the completion of the wider Oxford station enhancement project.

I absolutely understand all the concerns about the current closure of Botley Road, and I am urgently waiting to hear from Network Rail about its proposals to complete the works for the benefit of Oxford. Following this, my office will reach out to arrange a meeting with all local stakeholders to provide an update on progress.
In the meantime, I apologise for the disruption to the city.
Yours sincerely,

Peter, Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill
MINISTER OF STATE FOR RAIL