The next stage of the Botley Road roadworks in Oxford have started this week as footways and kerbs are set to be replaced ahead of the road's August opening.
Works to replace the footways and kerbs on the Botley Road began on Monday, May 11, with more diversions to come for pedestrians in the three months before it's due to reopen.
The road was closed at the Botley rail bridge on April 11, 2023, for Network Rail work linked with a major revamp at Oxford's railway station.
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So far, the three-year closure has cost £237m and although a new rail bridge has been installed, no major work has started yet on providing a new platform five to boost East West Rail links, or to create a new western entrance for the station.
The company has said the road is on schedule to reopen by the end of August, and some doubt has been cast on whether work on two new walkways, one on each side of Botley Road at the railway bridge, can be completed in time.
Network Rail said the replacement footways and kerbs are now being installed and pedestrian access on the southern side of Botley Road is now closed, with a footway on the northern side instead.
A spokesperson said: "From Monday, May 11, we’ll be working to replace and realign footways and kerbs in preparation for the new, wider section of Botley Road reopening in August.
"This work is due to be carried out in stages, to minimise disruption as much as possible, from Monday until mid-June."
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The work will involve temporarily removing, realigning and replacing footpaths, installing kerbs, laying ducting for street lighting, laying paving stones and retarmacking the road.
Works will take place on the Botley Road between Mill Street and Osney Bridge and the junctions of Botley Road with Abbey Road, Cripley Road and Mill Street, in phases.
Sections of the footpaths will be temporarily closed off to pedestrians with alternative routes on the opposite side of the road.
Network Rail said marshals will be on hand to guide pedestrians and ensure continued access to residential and business frontages, and there will be signposted changes to walking routes, crossing points and cycling areas.
The company previously told this newspaper that while the southern side walkway next to the Westgate Hotel will open on time, by August 31, it is likely that the northern walkway will not.
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A spokesperson earlier said: "When the road reopens, the southern pedestrian walkway will be available for use. We are currently reviewing the timeline for completion of the northern walkway.
“While we continue to explore whether the northern walkway can be completed at the same time, our priority remains reopening the road and one pedestrian route in August.”
People expressed their frustration following the revelation that full pedestrian access on both sides will not be completed on schedule.
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