Network Rail has again sprung a nasty surprise on the people of North Oxford. Last time it was the announcement in its forward plan that that it was contemplating a rail flyover to replace the Oxford North junction just south of Wolvercote.

This time it is the news that it needs to replace the railway bridge in First Turn and propose to close the road from January to November 2015 to do so.

Much as we, as Liberal Democrats, support the expansion of rail traffic in preference to building more roads, we expect Network Rail to consider the impact of its proposals and discuss with local people before committing to works that would bring major disruption and potential damage to a historic and much-valued local environment.

It smacks of arrogance for Network Rail to announce these works – due to start in barely two months’ time – with so little notice. As local representatives, we are calling on Network Rail to provide alternatives for residents to mitigate the effects of these works. We accept that the bridge does have to be replaced to allow for electrification of the line, but work must not be started before a satisfactory route for schoolchildren and residents has been identified and implemented.

We were horrified to hear of the flyover plans and trust they will be dropped without delay. We are meeting with Network Rail very soon to discuss the bridge works, its timetable and the required measures to minimise disruption to residents and schoolchildren.

Jean Fooks, LibDem county councillor for Wolvercote

Steve Goddard and Mike Gotch, LibDem city councillors for Wolvercote

Layla Moran, LibDem parliamentary candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon

Today’s letters

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.