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Network Rail Reopens Botley Road After Cost Overrun

By Drooid · Sep 20, 2026, 10:14 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Network Rail reopened Botley Road at the rail bridge on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
Project costs rose from an estimated £161 million to more than £237 million.
Delays were caused by archaeological finds, a World War Two grenade, and gas-network replacement.
Two four-metre-wide walkways and a one-way cycleway were added under the bridge.
Oxfordshire County Council announced bus routes while councillor Susanna Pressel said funding for the station’s entrance and Platform 5 remains unconfirmed.

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Story summary

Network Rail reopened Botley Road at the rail bridge on Sunday, 20 September 2026.
Project costs rose from an estimated £161 million to more than £237 million.
Delays were caused by archaeological finds, a World War Two grenade, and gas-network replacement.
Two four-metre-wide walkways and a one-way cycleway were added under the bridge.
Oxfordshire County Council announced bus routes while councillor Susanna Pressel said funding for the station’s entrance and Platform 5 remains unconfirmed.