The closure of Botley Road at the rail bridge has been planned by Network Rail for some time.

But it may still come as a shock to some drivers who from today are being forced to seek an alternative route.

Network Rail and the county council have agreed to close the busy road until October so that work can be carried out for a £161m upgrade of Oxford rail station.

No vehicles - including emergency services vehicles - will be allowed under the rail bridge in either direction while the closure is in place between now and October.

Oxford Mail:

What Network Rail have said

A Network Rail spokeswoman said: "Motorists that usually use Botley Road to get into the city are advised to use the one of the city's park and ride sites (Seacourt is closest as it is located on Botley Road), to take an alternative route into the city.

"Buses will turn around just before the rail bridge and use the existing stops on Osney Island.

"Pedestrians and cyclists will have access into the city throughout the work.

"Local residents’ access to their homes will remain at all times, with some diversions in place.

"The railway station will be open throughout the works, unless otherwise advertised.

"All businesses will be open as usual.

Oxford Mail:

"For people that need assistance getting to/from the city centre, there will be an accessible bus service operating from Osney and Botley. Please contact oxfordphase2@networkrail.co.uk for further information."

She added: "Network Rail is working with Oxfordshire County Council’s Inclusive Transport and Movement Focus Group and OxTalk to create an audio guide to help people make the journey independently between Osney Island and the train station and Frideswide Square."

How this started

Last year, in a shock announcement, the rail authority and the county council said they planned to close the road at the rail bridge for 12 months from January 9 so that major improvements to the station could take place.

But then the year-long closure option was scrapped for a major re-think, and a new closure date was announced.

What work is taking place?

Work includes re-routing utility cables, replacing the Botley Road rail bridge, and starting to build a new western entrance to the station.

Oxford Mail:

This year's work will focus on rerouting the underground cables in and around the station and the closure will remain in place until October.

The road will then be closed for a similar period next year and at the end of the second closure period the rail bridge will be replaced.

Have your say

A community group has been established called West Oxford Access to lobby Network Rail and the county council over changes to bus routes and other important issues affecting the community.

Read more from this author

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