Kier has been appointed by Network Rail to deliver the Oxford railway station enabling works, as part of the Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Project
Kier has been appointed by Network Rail to take Phase 2C and 2D of the project through Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Stage 5 ahead of a funding decision by the Department for Transport.
How will the Oxford railway station enabling works benefit the station and local community?
The Phase 2C Botley Road of the Oxford railway station enabling works will replace the existing railway bridge spanning Botley Road with a new, wider structure which will incorporate 4-metre-wide cycle/footways on either side of the road.
Highway lowering and realignment will provide additional height clearance to allow double-decker buses to pass comfortably underneath for the first time. The existing footbridge will also be replaced.
Phase 2D platform 5 and station improvement works will oversee the construction of an additional platform and overhead canopy, a new western station entrance, a new subway to connect the western entrance to the new platform, ticket office, waiting room, toilets, café and shops.
The enabling works aim to improve safety at the junction with Botley Road. To achieve this, they will demolish buildings surrounding the station; oversee road alignment works at Roger Dudman Way; and replace the Sheepwash Bridge.
The project will improve capacity, accessibility, safety and passenger experience at Oxford railway station
Once the fifth platform and new facilities have been completed, Oxford railway station will see significant benefits, including improved capacity, accessibility, safety and passenger experience.
Mark Pengelly, group managing director at Kier Infrastructure, commented:
“The Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Project is of national significance given its focus to improve passenger journeys, not only to the North and South, but also to the East and West due to the link with East West Rail.
“Kier will be working alongside our strategic design partner WSP to develop the detailed design and carry out enabling works for the project, combining our knowledge and expertise of complex civil engineering in the rail sector to deliver safely, whilst minimising the level of disruption to the travelling public and nearby businesses.”
The Oxford railway station enabling works is the first contract to be awarded to Kier outside of the existing Network Rail frameworks. It is helping to re-establish the longstanding historic relationship between Kier and Network Rail.
