The road has been closed from April 2023 as part of the redevelopment of Oxford Station, a £116 million project.
Originally, the road was supposed to reopen temporarily from October 2023 to March 2024, but due to complications and delays, it remained closed until October 2024.
County council chiefs plan to activate six new traffic filters across the city for a six-month trial when the road reopens, but that is now likely to be delayed.
Anna Holbrook, Industrial Program Director at Network Rail, said: “While our work is progressing well on most aspects of this major programme, including the construction of a new platform on the west side of the station, unfortunately the replacement of the bridge has had to be postponed. because the work on bringing the complex distribution of engineering networks and cables under the road, including sewage, will not be finished in time.
“We have informed councils that Botley Road will not be able to reopen now in October.
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“We know how important Botley Road is to Oxford and apologize to local residents and businesses for the ongoing inconvenience.
“We are working on the best way forward and will continue to work with the local community as our plans develop.”
“Kier and the 11 different utility providers involved continue to divert a large amount of pipes and cables, including water and sewer, which need to be completed before the bridge can be replaced.
“Working on this antiquated maze of pipes and cables extending under the highway, in a severely confined space, with poor soil conditions and a significant water table, still makes the job very challenging.
“When fully completed, the upgrades will result in a bigger and better station, more rail services for passengers and an improved road network near Oxford station with safer junctions and more space for cyclists and pedestrians thanks to the addition of a four meter cycle/sidewalk on each side of the main road.
“In regards to the new road reopening date, we are working with industry and local partners and will provide an update on timetables once a full review of the program has taken place.”
Thames Water is expected to reduce Osney Bridge to one lane until March 2025 while it replaces leaking water pipes.
Layla Moran, Liberal MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, described Network Rail’s further delay in the Botley Road closure as “unacceptable” and criticized their “absolutely shambolic” project management.
The MP wrote to new rail minister and former Network Rail chairman Lord Peter Hendy to ask for an urgent meeting.
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Mrs Moran said: “This delay is completely unacceptable.
“Network Rail have shown total shambolic project management from start to finish and I am outraged by this latest development.
“The residents have held out for almost a year and asking them to hold out a day longer is completely unreasonable.
“I have written to the Minister to express my disappointment at Network Rail, ask for a meeting to discuss my concerns and call on the Government to provide support to local businesses facing closure.
“Network Rail has asked the whole community to live with an enormous level of disruption and I am not convinced they have done all they could to support residents during this period.”
Oxford City Councilor for Osney and St Thomas Ward Lois Muddiman said: “Unfortunately, like most local residents, I am not at all surprised that Network’s Rail project on Botley Road will not be completed as planned and Botley Road will not reopen in October. according to plan.
“We all understand that it is complicated to move water and sewer lines that serve 60,000 homes, as well as many other utilities, but the scale of the delays on this project is simply appalling.”
It is understood the delay is not related to the car being wedged into the pavement next to the race at the weekend.
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