Network Rail applies for powers to expand Oxford Station

Network Rail has submitted a Transport Works Act Order (TWAO) to formally acquire powers to expand Oxford station.

The application to the Department for Transport by Network Rail Infrastructure Limited will, if approved by the secretary of state, allow the body to begin the acquisition of land for phase 2 of the Oxford Corridor project.

According to Network Rail Oxford Station is close to capacity and will not be able to accommodate the increase in services planned for 2024 when East West Rail services are expected to begin operation.

Phase 2 will see a new platform built as well as a new secondary station entrance on the western side of the railway, a replacement and upgrade of the Botley Road bridge which will include a 4m cycle and footway on each side and additional height clearance for vehicles.

The works will also see the closure of two level crossings at Yarnton Land and Sandy Lane and the creation of three high-speed crossovers at Oxford North Junction. The measures will improve line safety, reduce journey times and increase capacity for an additional 12 freight trains per day.

Oxford station currently handles 8.27M passenger journeys a year, and has seen an increase of 63% in use over the past decade. It is the fifth busiest station in Network Rail’s Wales & Western region.

At present £68M has been allocated for detailed design and enabling works at the station, with further funding required for full implementation of the scheme. According to Network Rail a full business case for the project will be submitted later in the year, with a final funding decision made in 2022.

Detailed designs will be completed in late 2021 with a contractor for the works appointed by the end of the year.

The scheme is to be jointly funded by the DfT and the  Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) for the highways works to Botley Road Bridge.

SourceNetwork Rail applies for powers to expand Oxford Station | New Civil Engineer

Department of Civil Engineering Department of Civil Engineering – International Burch University (ibu.edu.ba)