Oxford station - facilities, improvements, parking, incidents and events - merged posts

[whole diary]

[didcotdean]

The car park which used at one time to be heaving hardly manages to be a third full these days, at least when I have passed by it on the train. Reduction in commuting plus Oxford Parkway I guess.

[alan_s]

You need to pay online using the app or by phone quoting the car park code number. As I understand it is like Bristol Parkway and there are two codes. If you pay using the publicly available code it is very expensive £30.  However once you are on the platform there is a dot matrix sign with another code which if you use that you get to pay the lower amount £6.70.  It is to try and ensure the car park is for rail users only. 

Aha, great stuff, thanks for the confirmation.

I don't think Bristol parkway has a separate code now, it's just one high price!!

I remember when the app came out it was billed as the cheapest way to pay, but not now - they even add a 20p admin fee so it costs more than using the ticket machine!! But that's not a discussion for here!

[Rostock0]

The Botley Road closure was supposed to start on January 9th, but that's been delayed now.

[ChrisB]

First report said that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) weren’t ready to start work on January 9th, further reports said that they were working to reduce the closure time.

Having issued the contract to Keir, it seems as it is they that aren’t ready? And as it’s Keir, presumably not caught yp in the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) NR disruption?

[stuving]

First report said that NR^» (Network Rail - home page) weren’t ready to start work on January 9th, further reports said that they were working to reduce the closure time.

Having issued the contract to Keir, it seems as it is they that aren’t ready? And as it’s Keir, presumably not caught yp in the RMT^▸ (National Union of Rail, Maritime & Transport Workers) NR disruption?

NR have put a different slant on this:

Botley Road closure update

Replacing the bridge over Botley Road to facilitate a new platform, western entrance and road improvements is an incredibly complex project, which needs to be completed by the end of 2024 in time for the start of East West Rail services.

With it not only being vital for local transport provision, there are also multiple key utility services connecting to west of the city running both beneath the road and over the top of the bridge. So there are a number of significant challenges to overcome before work on the bridge can start.

We are working with partners to refine our plans for the delivery of the works to enhance the station and do not now need to start the full closure of Botley Road in January.

Part of this review is looking at how to reduce the impact of our work on the local community. Further details will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Kier have been digging holes, to find out what's where, for a couple of weeks now. They have also been doing their own thinking about how best to organise the work. So I'd guess they have said to NR not only "we need more time for preparation", but also "we don't need such a long road closure if we do it this way...".

[ChrisB]

There's a report due to go into the City Council about the revision on December 14....

[ray951]

Now reported by Network Rail that Botley Road will be closed from 11th April until October.

I notice this morning that they have started wrapping the old Youth Hostel in plastic presumably to stop debris/dust etc falling onto the surrounding area.

[ChrisB]

Yep, due to be demolished any day now

[stuving]

Now reported by Network Rail that Botley Road will be closed from 11th April until October.

This is Oxfordshire's announcement about the work, which contains links to other sources.

• 11 April 2023 to the end of October 2023: Botley Road closure for through traffic for utility diversion work.
• March 2024 - October 2024: Botley Road closed to through traffic for highway work.

[ChrisB]

More concern for rail users are the following rail closure dates, mentioned in the NR^» (Network Rail - home page) press release in one of those limks you refer to -

29 July to 6 August 2023 – Track work and prep work for new platform – rail services impacted. Alternative travel arrangements and advice will be publicised in advance

and

August 2024 – Four-day rail closure for bridge replacement.

[ray951]

Yep, due to be demolished any day now

I notice today that they have started to demolish the Youth Hostel.

[ChrisB]

NR^» (Network Rail - home page) have another drop-in session at West Oxford Community Centre (further down Botley Road on the right going away from the station) on Tuesday from 1 till 4pm

[ellendune]

*From Saturday 29 July until the early hours of Monday 7 August Network Rail will be working to upgrade the track just north of Oxford Station - installing new high speed crossovers. To the south of the station,  Osney Lane footbridge will be modified, moving one of the piers to make way for track layout changes. Work will also be carried out to adjust the coping stones on platforms inside the station.

[/quote]

Which of the piers are to be moved and where to?  None of them seem to be intruding far into operational railway land at the moment.

[paul7575]

*From Saturday 29 July until the early hours of Monday 7 August Network Rail will be working to upgrade the track just north of Oxford Station - installing new high speed crossovers. To the south of the station,  Osney Lane footbridge will be modified, moving one of the piers to make way for track layout changes. Work will also be carried out to adjust the coping stones on platforms inside the station.

Which of the piers are to be moved and where to?  None of them seem to be intruding far into operational railway land at the moment.

The new down through line (platform 5) alignment starts a short distance south of the footbridge, so the present three tracks under it become four. My money is on the western pier being moved a bit further west.  I’ve subsequently found that’s definitely the case, it’s specifically mentioned in the TWA order inspectors report. 

Not much detail that I can find yet, but the track change extent is shown at the bottom of this drawing:

https://sacuksprodnrdigital0001.blob.core.windows.net/twao-oxford-corridor-phase-2/Environmental%20Statement/Volume%203%20-%20Book%20of%20figures/Ch%2002%20-%20Figure%202.1%20-%20Scheme%20Layout%20and%20Location.pdf

But is this the best place to discuss it, or should the question be moved to the main Oxford station thread?

Paul

[Red Squirrel]

Above two posts split from Nuneham Bridge thread and merged here