Commuters urged to plan ahead as work starts soon at Banbury Station

Commuters should plan ahead and leave plenty of time for their journeys as diversions to Banbury Rail Station will be in place from 24 October in preparation for work starting to improve its facilities and the nearby road layout.

Oxfordshire County Council is improving access to the station by building a new route linking Tramway Road with Station Approach Road and the station forecourt. When finished, commuters will also benefit from new bus stops, cycleways and footways.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “If you use the train station, or travel along Tramway Road, please take a moment to plan ahead to avoid delays while we construct these very welcome improvements. Follow all signs and diversion routes for your own safety.

“Please bear with us while we construct these improvements. When finished, the new route will make it easier to access the station and improve journey times for buses, taxis, pedestrians, and cyclists, particularly those travelling from southern Banbury and Banbury town centre.”

Pedestrians, cyclists and those being dropped off by car will have no access to the station using Tramway Road from 24 October 2024 to April 2025 because the footpath will be closed to allow for the new footpath and road layout to be constructed.

A diversion will be in place via Tramway Road, Swan Close, the A4260, Bridge Street and Station Approach Road, which will take 20 minutes to walk. Two-way traffic lights will also be in place at Station Approach Road to manage traffic.

Site cabins and fencing will be installed from 21 October. Work to dig up the existing Tramway Road footpath and divert drainage and utility pipes and cables will start from 4 November.

From October to November 2024, two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place at Station Approach Road to manage traffic. Part of Station Approach Road and the west station car park will then be closed from November with traffic diverted through the west station car park to maintain a route through.

Work to construct the new northern extension to Tramway Road (road surface, footpath, cycle path and roundabout) will take place from late 2024 to spring 2025.

The west station car park will be fully closed from November, with the multistorey car park still available. Commuters should look out for advance warning and diversion signs. Some pick-up and drop off locations will also need to change. The improved station car park will be built in the last stage of work. Construction is expected to finish in September 2025.

Oxfordshire County Council is working with Milestone Construction Limited to construct these improvements.

Funding is coming from the Housing and Growth Deal and existing developer contributions.

For more information about this release contact Oxfordshire County Council’s communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

More information 

The full range of improvements are:

• Extending the northern end of Tramway Road to provide a connection to Station Approach Road and the station west car park for all vehicles via a new roundabout.
• Building a new signal-controlled route from Tramway Road to the station forecourt for cyclists and those using buses and taxis. This will enable a bus route to potentially serve the station and Tramway Road.
• Providing a new footway, cycleway and bus stops along Tramway Road, and more bus stops at the station forecourt.
• Improving car parking and drop-off options, including new bays at the station and a new collection layby on Tramway Road.
• Improving lighting, surface water drainage and landscaping in the area.

 More information can also be found online at oxfordshire.gov.uk/banburystation.

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