DfT confirms £78m for Oxford

Station to be redeveloped ahead of East West Rail services starting in 2024.

FUNDING valued at £78.6m for Network Rail has been confirmed by the Department for Transport towards the redevelopment of Oxford station, writes Chris Milner. The overall scheme will cost £161m; £69m came from Government last year with the Oxford Local Enterprise Partnership contributing an additional £10.5m.

The scheme, first reported in our July 2021 issue, will include a new track and platform alongside the existing platform 4, creating an island platform on the west side of the station. A new western station entrance will be built next to Botley Road and will link up to the new platform via a subway, stairs and lift. The new entrance will make the station more accessible to people living to the west of the station, reducing walking time.

Changes to trackwork will include the installation of three high-speed crossovers at Oxford North Junction, and this work will take place over four weekends in September and October. This work means there will be no services in or out of Oxford on September 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 and October 1-2.

Two level crossings will also be closed and the resultant increase in capacity will provide an additional 12 freight paths per day. The project will also position the station to handle an increase of passengers when East West Rail opens by the end of 2024.