Station Grill diner - once Mick's Cafe - has been demolished to prepare for the closure of Botley Road as part of a scheme to revamp Oxford rail station.

In October, it emerged that the multi-million pound scheme to improve Oxford railway station would close Botley Road in Oxford for a year, beginning on January 9.

The county council and Network Rail agreed that closing the road from January 2023 to December at Botley Road rail bridge was the best course of action.

READ AGAIN: Botley Road closure start date is scrapped 

But in December Network Rail then told the county council it was pulling the plug on the timetable and talks would take place to agree a new plan.

Talks have been taking place between the rail authority, the county council and the Department for Transport.

Network Rail spokesman David Paull said: "Discussions are ongoing."

Oxford Mail:

He said in December: "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.

READ AGAIN: Tributes flood in for Mick's Cafe owner

"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."

One possibility is that the closure of Botley Road will go ahead in two phases with one closure period in 2023 and a second in 2024.

The demolition of Station Grill and the building behind it, a former law office, will now create room for a turning circle for buses, which will be needed when the Botley Road is closed.

Oxford Mail:

Rachel Geliamassi, managing director for Stagecoach West, said earlier this month: "We remain concerned about the impact of the Botley Road closure on the Oxford City bus network.

"Once the new arrangements have been confirmed by Network Rail, we will work alongside Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford Bus Company to minimise the disruption to our customers as much as possible.

"Changes to our services will be shared in good time to allow customers to plan ahead."

READ AGAIN: Botley Road youth hostel will be demolished 

The youth hostel in Botley Road will also be demolished to make way for a new western entrance to the station.

Oxford Mail:

The rail bridge is being replaced, and work is also being carried out to reroute utility cables.

Station Grill opened in 2019 serving fried chicken, kebabs, burgers, wraps and chips.

Mick's Cafe, run by Mick Harris and his family, closed in 2013 when he retired.

His fry-ups were legendary and tributes poured in in 2021 when he died aged 80.

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This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF