Botley Road in Oxford will stay closed for up to six more weeks
The road has been closed since April 2023 for railway bridge upgrades
A further up to six-week delay for Botley Road reopening is “calamitous and catastrophic” for “long-suffering” residents and businesses, says an Oxford MP.
The road, which is a key access route into the city, closed in April 2023 for £237 million railway bridge works to upgrade Oxford Station and was set to reopen next month.
Now, Network Rail has confirmed a further four – six-week delay for reopening.
The road has been shut off to traffic for almost three years and three months – it was initially supposed to close for 12 months.
Oxford West and Abingdon MP, Layla Moran (Lib Dem) says she has written a “furious letter” to the Transport Secretary demanding answers and requesting an urgent meeting.
She said: “Weeks more delay is calamitous and catastrophic for local residents and businesses. Time and again we have seen the goalposts move and promises broken.
“I am demanding a full explanation from the Secretary of State as to why these issues were not identified earlier, when those responsible first became aware of them, and why assurances about reopening have once again proven unreliable.
“I already had serious questions about oversight, project management, risk identification and accountability.
“This latest delay only makes me more determined to get answers for long-suffering residents.”
The Liberal Democrat MP has continuously pushed both Network Rail and the Government to “get a grip” of the project previously.
She said that at every monthly progress meeting previously, Ms Moran was assured that all milestones had been hit and that the project was on track to open in August.
Oxford East MP, Anneliese Dodds (Labour), added: “The news that the Botley Road reopening is yet again delayed will come as a bitter blow for local residents and businesses.
“It is particularly galling as every milestone had been hit by the project since January last year.
“It’s right they’ve been upfront about the unexpected gas main problem today.
“However, the daily impact on local peoples’ lives caused by the delays, even when unavoidable, has been dreadful.
“I will keep pushing for this project to be finished as speedily as possible.”
The county council also had assurances, and last month it announced traffic filters were set to go ahead on September 14 – this policy was dependent on the reopening of the Botley Road and the delay throws that start date for that scheme and the end of the congestion charge into the lurch.
In its delay announcement, Network Rail explained that during excavation work relating to drainage for the new road, three minor gas leaks were identified on part of the gas network, owned by Southern Gas Networks (SGN).
SGN will now have to make repairs to the gas supply, delaying the finishing of the road.
Network Rail Great Western Route’s capital delivery director, Tim Walden, said: “We know this news will be deeply disappointing for residents, businesses and everyone who relies on Botley Road, and we’re very sorry for the continued disruption and uncertainty this will cause.
“Our teams, across SGN and Network Rail, are working as hard as possible to complete the remaining work and minimise delays, while keeping the community informed with regular updates.
“We expect the additional work to take around four to six weeks and are currently working on a plan so we can confirm the timings as quickly as possible.”
Network Rail was contacted for comment.