Council 'not responsible' for Botley Road delays

Delays to a road and rail improvement project are not the fault of the county council, the local authority's transport boss has insisted.

Botley Road in Oxford has been closed under the rail bridge since April 2023 because of a £161m Network Rail scheme.

In an interview with BBC Radio Oxford, Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport management, denied accusations that it was the local authority's decision to close the key city road.

Network Rail has previously apologised for the delays and said it hoped the road would reopen by August 2026.

The Botley Road was closed as part of Network Rail's project to expand Oxford station and improve connectivity services.

It was due to be completed in October 2024 but has been repeatedly pushed back.

Residents have criticised the closure with businesses saying their takings have been severely affected.

Mr Gant answered questions on a BBC Radio Oxford phone-in.

One caller, Tom, said: "We wondered whether you sleep well at night knowing that you were pivotal in bankrupting multiple businesses in West Oxford and leaving their families destitute?"

Mr Gant insisted it was not "the county council's fingerprints on this project".

"It was Network Rail's project management which has failed catastrophically - not once, not twice, but three times.

"They said it was their fault and they are looking at how to compensate and mitigate the effects on businesses."

Another caller to the programme, Gareth, asked why the council was not imposing financial penalties to Network Rail.

"I wish we could, but ... we do not have the legal power to fine them."

"And Network Rail are permitted legally to do the works that they are doing," Mr Gant said.

The councillor said the local authority could impose sanctions "if they breach the terms of their permits".

"But they have been careful to get those things lined up in the legal way," he said.

He added that any compensation that Network Rail was discussing would not be a matter for the county council.

In January, Network Rail's western route managing director Marcus Jones said he was "sorry" for the delays.

"This is an incredibly complex project, involving multiple organisations, which has faced a number of significant challenges, but we understand the anger and frustration the delays to this project have caused," he added.

The company said it would introduce "vastly improved" access for pedestrians and cyclists in the summer.

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