AN APPLICATION has been submitted as part of plans to expand Oxford Railway Station.
Submitted to Oxford City Council, the application concerns work to build an additional platform at the station.
Network Rail is seeking to alter planning conditions such as signage, a noise mitigation fence and cycle parking.
READ IN FULL: Botley Road and Oxford Train Station set to close next summer
The application states: “As previously outlined in our original application, the project will deliver a significant economic benefit to Oxford city centre as well as the surrounding area, and facilitate a more efficient and a greater capacity railway station for the city.
“These works are the second phase of station improvements being delivered by Network Rail that provide the essential infrastructure that will facilitate further rail capacity and potential station master plan in the future.
“The purpose of this variation application is to ensure this project is delivered and unnecessary time constraints are varied.”
On signage, the application states: “The final signage design will unlikely be decided until later in the design programme and therefore suggests this is tied to the opening/operation of new station building.”
Oxford Train Station. Picture: Ed Nix
The application concludes: “This application is made to vary six planning conditions.
“We propose that they are varied so there is a clear trigger point for the submitted required documentation or to provide more flexibility to the delivery team so the required information could be submitted later in the delivery programme.”
Last month, this newspaper revealed that the station and Botley Road would close for a ‘significant period of time’.
Oxford Train Station. Picture: Ed Nix
Work to replace the rail bridge in Botley Road as part of Network Rail’s plans to increase capacity at the station will see the complete closure of both the road and station.
A spokesperson for Network Rail told the Oxford Mail that both Botley Road and the station will be closed next summer.
While timings on how long the closure will last are unconfirmed, it is believed that it could be approximately three months.
The Network Rail spokesperson said: “We are currently in discussions with Oxfordshire County Council about our programme of work for the station, which is in the process of being finalised by our contractor, Kier.
“The key period for us on Botley Road will be next summer when we need to replace the bridge.
“This will mean the road and station will need to be completely closed. This is due to take place at the end of July or start of August.
“Ahead of that we will need to do preparation work, including the diversion of utility services. We are currently discussing all this with Oxfordshire County Council to establish best way of doing this.”
To view the latest application, visit the city council planning portal, using the reference number 22/01894/VAR.
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This story was written by Liam Rice, he joined the team in 2019 as a multimedia reporter.
Liam covers politics, travel and transport. He occasionally covers Oxford United.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Liam.rice@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailLiamRice