A £161m update to Oxford Station will create a new track, platform and accessible entrance on the west side of the station
Announced by Rail Minister Wendy Morton, the £161m update to Oxford Station will be completed by 2024 and will deliver quicker journeys, increased freight and passenger services and a brand new fully accessible entrance on the west side of the station.
The update will better integrate the station into the local road networks and create an estimated 10,000 jobs in the area.
Improved access and capacity
As one of the busiest stations in the South of England, managing 8.7m passenger journeys a year pre-pandemic, the new track and platform will improve capacity at the station.
It is hoped this increased connectivity will draw investment to both the City of Oxford and the numerous sciences, innovation, technology and business parks located across the county.
The upgrades will play a central role increasing freight services to the equivalent of about 500 lorries per day between Southampton Ports container hub, the Midlands and North West – increasing supply chain resilience while supporting the environment.
Mike Gallop, Network Rail’s Western route and strategic operations director, said:
“We are delighted to have been awarded this significant amount of funding from the Department for Transport, which will enable us make positive substantial improvements to Oxford station and railway for the benefit of our passengers and freight customers.
“A new entrance, new additional track and platform, and improved accessibility will transform this station so that is fit for the 21st century and significantly enhance its capacity for increases in passenger numbers and future services such as East West Rail.”
Surrounding roads will be integrated in the redevelopment
Funding will also be used to renovate the existing road bridge on Botley Road to create a four metre wide cycling and walking path and allowing standard height double-decker buses to pass underneath for the first time.
It will also fund three new high-speed crossovers to be created, which will enable trains to turn around in the station, increasing services and reducing journey times.
Rail minister, Wendy Morton said:
“This £161m will truly transform the region, increasing the number of services for passengers, boosting economic growth by connecting people to new opportunities and increasing freight services between the South and Midlands.”
Work at the station will begin later this year, with the Botley Road improvements expected to be completed by the end of 2023 followed by the new platform and entrance which is set to open in 2024.
