Residents quiz Network Rail bosses on year-long Botley Road closure

Last month Network Rail and the county council agreed that the 12-month closure of the busy route at the rail bridge could go ahead.

Traffic will still be able to access Botley Road for shops and businesses, but will not be able to get under the rail bridge, from either direction.

Read again: What we already know about the Botley Road closure

The bridge will remain open for cyclists, pedestrians and emergency services.

A drop-in event was held this afternoon from 1pm to 5pm at West Oxford Comunity Centre, off Botley Road.

Network Rail gave a summary of the timetable for the work, which will include re-routing utility cables, demolishing Station Grill, a building behind it and the youth hostel, and starting work on the western entrance to the rail station.

David Paull, a spokesman for Network Rail, told the Oxford Mail the year-long closure would start on January 9.

A group of residents called West Oxford Access were meeting tonight following the drop-in session.

Spokesman Julian Le Vay said earlier: "The meeting is open to all living or working in West Oxford who are concerned about the year-long closure of Botley Road, which we think could be shortened."

Read more: Youth hostel will be demolished 

Some residents at the drop-in session said they were worried about the year-long closure.

David Miles, 56, from Witney, said: "The bus companies need to work closely with Network Rail."

A pensioner who attended the drop-in event added: "I do think this is an unnecessarily long closure period.

"I can't see why the closure needs to start in January when the rail bridge is not being replaced until months later."

Henry Simms, an IT consultant who lives with his family off Botley Road, was at the drop-in event.

He said he was supportive of the project's long-term goals to improve the station.

Mr Simms added: "The new western entrance will look good - at the moment the station is dated and embarrassing.

"During the closure it will be more difficult for some people than it will be for others.

Read again: Station Grill diner to be demolished 

"It was suggested at the meeting that blue badge holders and taxis could be allowed under the bridge and perhaps Network Rail will consider that."

A turning circle is to be created for buses close to the rail bridge, at the Roger Dudman Way junction with Botley Road.

Network Rail initially said the closure would last 14 weeks.

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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