The latest phase of work for the £161m revamp of Oxford rail station has now been completed.

Network Rail is working to create a new western entrance to the station, and to replace the Botley Road rail bridge. 

The road has been shut at the rail bridge since April and is not expected to reopen until the work is completed in October 2024.

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This week, piling work around the Botley Road bridge area has been completed, according to Network Rail.

A spokesman said: "Around 700 concrete piles, called secant piles, have been inserted into the ground along the edges of the road, from Frideswide Square to Mill Street.

"These piles overlap to form a solid wall, which will provide support to the overall structure of the bridge and prevent water from seeping through."

Oxford Mail: Work taking place in Botley Road Work taking place in Botley Road (Image: Photo: Andy Ffrench)Further traffic misery is expected in Botley Road as disruption is set to last until 2025.

Traders and homeowners had hoped that congestion would improve in the road when it reopens in October next year.

But earlier this month they reacted with fury at Thames Water's plan to carry out repair work at Osney Bridge is set to extend disruption by several months.

The bridge is expected to be reduced to a single lane of traffic controlled by lights from February next year to March 2025.

READ MORE: Botley Road traffic misery

It comes as the water company looks to replace a leaking water pipe which was damaged by an Environment Agency boat in April 2021.

Matthew Alden, managing director of Alden’s Butchers in Osney Mead, claimed earlier that his trade would be harmed by the work.

“The council must have traffic marshals controlling the flow,” he said. “If they leave it to purely traffic light timings it’ll be more misery.

“Trade will be affected yet again as people will not be prepared to queue.”

Oxford Mail: Work taking place in Botley Road in Oxford Work taking place in Botley Road in Oxford (Image: Photo: Andy Ffrench)

Over the last year, business owners in Botley Road have repeatedly claimed that footfall is being affected by the traffic issues.

As well as the Botley Road closure, there are also issues at Botley Interchange, at the other end of the road, with National Highway work continuing until March next year.

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Despite plans for work at the bridge, Oxfordshire County Council said it still intended to roll out its traffic filters scheme after the Network Rail work finishes.

Six new traffic filters - bus lanes - are planned across the city, banning some vehicles from using those roads during the daytime.

Network Rail has said the project, once completed, will provide passengers with an improved station and an expanded railway which will enable more services for passengers with reduced journey times.  

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.