The leader of Vale of White Horse District Council has spoken of her frustration at the extended delay to the reopening of Botley Road in Oxford.
Cllr Bethia Thomas spoke out after Network Rail announced the reopening will now be in August 2026.
Network Rail held a meeting with local MPs and the Minister of State for Rail to explain the issues around the closure which is due to improvement work to Oxford Station.
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Bethia Thomas said: “I am dismayed and incredibly frustrated at Network Rail’s announcement that Botley Road will remain closed for another year and a half, and I’m sure residents and businesses of the Vale will have reacted with a combination of shock and deep disappointment at how much more disruption they’re being expected to endure.
“Network Rail originally planned for the road to be close for a total of one year – here we are nearly two years later hearing that it will ultimately take three and a half times longer than expected.
“Whilst it is fair to say there have been many aspects of the project beyond Network Rail’s control – it is also clear to me they wildly underestimated this work and have managed it poorly.
“I welcome the clarity on a finishing date, but it is now imperative that they are finished by this date – and ideally much sooner. The impact on local businesses has been unacceptable and the disruption to residents has been enormous.
“The site contractor has focused its engagement and communication with communities and businesses affected in the area immediately around the works, which I understand, but Network Rail itself has done little to keep us all informed on the timelines. I’d like to see regular business engagement sessions restored, given this will be having an impact for so much longer.
“I do welcome the improvements and investment being made to the station, which is an important transport hub for many Vale residents, but this could and should have been carried out with much less stress and disruption for local people and less financial disruption to local businesses.”
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