Oxford station is to undergo a £161m improvement programme that will provide improved passenger and train capacity at the station, a new fully accessible entrance, and upgrade the adjacent bridge on Botley Road.

On the west side of the station, a new track and platform will be installed, as well as a new fully accessible entrance. Three new high-speed crossovers will be created, that will allow trains to turn around in the station, which will increase the number of services and reduce journey times.

Oxford is one of the busiest stations in the south of England, with 8.7 million passenger journeys a year before the pandemic.

Capacity will be greatly improved through the new track and platform will significantly improve which will boost connections, the economy, and job opportunities in the area with almost 10,000 new roles being supported because of the project, drawing talent and investment to both the City of Oxford and the many sciences, innovation, technology, and business parks located across the county.

The height of the low bridge on Botley Road is to be increased to allow it to be used by standard height double-decker buses. A four-metre-wide cycle and walking path will also be built under the bridge.

Work at the station will begin later this year. Improvements to the Botley Road bridge are expected to be completed by the end of next year, whilst the new platform and station entrance is scheduled to open in 2024.

The new track layout will allow freight services between Southampton Ports container hub and the Midlands and North West to be increased by the equivalent of about 500 lorries per day. That will both increase supply chain resilience and support the environment.

Oxford Station will be one of the first projects delivered through the Government’s new SPEED (Swift, Pragmatic and Efficient Enhancement Delivery) scheme. That aims to reduce by half the time to complete a rail infrastructure project, and also reduce the cost of delivering the project.

Rail Minister, Wendy Morton said:

“While union bosses continue on their campaign to inflict maximum disruption to the lives of everyday people with strikes, I am busy getting on with the job at the hand, modernising our railways to create one which is fit for the 21st Century and meets the needs of the modern-day passenger.

“This £161 million will truly transform the region, increasing the number of services for passengers, boosting economic growth by connecting people to new opportunities, and increasing freight services between the South and Midlands.

Mike Gallop, Network Rail’s Western route and strategic operations director, said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded this significant amount of funding from the Department for Transport, which will enable us make positive substantial improvements to Oxford station and railway for the benefit of our passengers and freight customers.

“A new entrance, new additional track, and platform, and improved accessibility will transform this station so that is fit for the 21st century and significantly enhance its capacity for increases in passenger numbers and future services such as East West Rail.”