Work set to start on Oxford railway station upgrade

Kier has been appointed by Network Rail to deliver the detailed design and enabling works package at Oxford railway station, as part of the Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Project.

The company said it has secured the contract to take Phase 2C and 2D of the project through Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Stage 5 ahead of the final funding decision by the Department for Transport, which is expected in the coming months.

Phase 2C Botley Road enhancement includes the replacement of the existing railway bridge with a new, longer span structure which will incorporate 4m-wide cycle/footways on either side of the road.

Highway lowering and realignment will provide additional height clearance resulting in double-decker buses being able to comfortably pass underneath the bridge for the first time.

Phase 2D platform 5 and station improvement works will involve the construction of an additional platform and overhead canopy, a new western station entrance, ticket office, waiting room, toilets, café and shops, alongside the construction of a subway to connect the western entrance to the new platform.

Mark Pengelly, Group Managing Director at Kier Infrastructure, said: “The Oxford Corridor Phase 2 Project is of national significance given its focus to improve passenger journeys, not only to the north and south, but also to the east and west.

“Kier will be working alongside our strategic design partner WSP to develop the detailed design and carry out enabling works for the project, combining our knowledge and expertise of complex civil engineering in the rail sector to deliver safely, whilst minimising the level of disruption to the travelling public and nearby businesses.”