Oxfordshire Council Cannot Sue Over Botley Road Closure

Botley Road in Oxford has been closed since April 2023 due to upgrades at Oxford Station. Network Rail is in charge of the project. The road was supposed to reopen last October, but it’s still closed, causing many problems.

Lord Peter Hendy announced in Oxford last month that the road would stay closed. The new reopening date is August 2026. People are not happy about this long delay.

The Oxfordshire County Council faces criticism for allegedly avoiding responsibility for Botley Road. The council says it cannot sue Network Rail because they always extended the permit on time.

Zak Iqbal, owner of First Stop Spanner Work, believes the council is failing to act. He said they have control through the permit process, and a lack of accountability exists. He feels both councils seem to pass blame.

The county council explained their position, stating that they can fine groups if they overstay a permit. However, Network Rail always asked for permit extensions. The council said revoking the permit won’t fix things and they want the station project to finish well.

Oxford City Council also can’t sue Network Rail; this decision happened at a recent meeting. The road closure continues to affect many people.

City councillor Lois Muddiman thinks Network Rail caused the delays and wants councils to assess the closure’s costs. If costs are up, she thinks legal action makes sense.

Layla Moran, the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, is disappointed with Network Rail. She wants more support for struggling businesses and believes the government should ensure this happens. She will push the Rail Minister on the matter.

Network Rail said they are talking to local businesses and will be visiting traders near Botley Road this week. They want to find ways to assist them.

The county council handles roads and transport and can legally fine groups disrupting roads.