Dear Genevieve

On Wednesday (12 March) Thames Water successfully completed the first stage of connecting up the new water main pipe under the railway bridge to the existing network. The work took place on the western side of the bridge, between Mill Street and Abbey Road.

After the water flow was stopped using the valve installed in Frideswide Square, the existing water main pipe was cut (see photo on left). Where the section of pipe was removed, a fitting was added so the new connection could be installed (see top middle photo). The new T-shaped connection pipe was then lowered into place and fitted onto the existing water main (see photo on right). Once it was fitted, the system was reopened to allow water to flow as normal again.

Next week, they are scheduled to do the connection work on the eastern side on Wednesday (19 March), on the site beside Domino’s Pizza, at junction of Becket Street and Frideswide Square. (The image below is looking down into the eastern connection area site, showing the water main pipe at the top and the sewer below). Similar to this week’s work, they need to access a valve that is located below the roundabout in Frideswide Square, in front of Sainsbury’s. To allow them to access this safely, there will be temporary traffic lights in place in Frideswide Square between 11am and 12pm, then again later in the evening once work is complete.

Last weekend, the walkway on the Frideswide Square side of the railway bridge was diverted to make space for Thames Water to access the water main (see image above). This means the entrance/exit to the walkway on the Frideswide Square side of the bridge is now next to the station/Said Business School. This is scheduled to be in place for three weeks. Sorry for any disruption this causes.

With the 16 concrete piles installed into the ground to support the new walkway/cycleway that will go on the northern (station) side of the bridge, work has this week started on preparing for putting in the drainage that will sit underneath to take any surface water runoff. This will include construction of maintenance chambers.

In August 2023, a concrete guide wall was installed around the edge of the bridge area (see image on left above) to hold piles in the ground, forming watertight walls of the utility trench that was dug deep into the road. Work is now under way to remove the concrete (see middle image) so that the ground can be excavated to install the drainage. The image on the right shows a trial hole that has been dug on site, where you can see the reddish colour where a section of the Victorian brick arch has been removed.  

Today (Friday 14 March) Osney Lane footbridge has been closed as work to install a cycle rail has begun. During the day we have been replacing timbers with new wood to hold the mounts for the cycle rail. The rails themselves will then be installed over two more days but with a cordon in place so we can keep the bridge open to pedestrians while we work. The rail will be installed on steps on both sides of the bridge, making it easier for cyclists to push their bikes over the footbridge.

A reminder that our next public engagement event to update on project progress is scheduled for Wednesday 26 March at the King’s Centre on Osney Mead between 5pm and 6pm.

Great Western Railway has set up a new, staffed, passenger assistance meeting point at Oxford station to help customers with reduced mobility access the station.

Step-free access is already available from the main station entrance on Park End Street, and an accessible gate on the west side of the station in Cripley Road was opened in October for those who need it. 

The new meeting point will offer a welcome to people approaching the station from the west who need additional help to access the station, and will be open between 07:30 – 21:00 Monday to Friday, and 08:00 – 21:00 on Saturday, and 10:30 – 20:00 on Sunday.

This service is in addition to the designated vehicular drop off/pick up point, for persons of reduced mobility, on Roger Dudman Way and those wishing to access the station via the west gate are asked to allow a minimum of 30-40 minutes to enable staff to get you to your train on time.

The designated pedestrian route remains in place for access from the west of the station (Botley Road) and pick up and drop off points for vehicles remain in place on the north side. GWR has highlighted that the main entrance - accessed via the designated walking route from Botley Road - is likely to be most convenient for the vast majority of customers, including those who need assistance. GWR staff will be available to help during station opening hours.

Local businesses can take advantage of Oxford City’s cargo-bike partnership with Velocity Cycle Couriers.

Under the scheme, businesses can book deliveries to be carried out by a Velocity rider and 50% of the cost will be covered by Oxford City Council.

Businesses that want to take part in the partnership can contact Velocity at hello@velocitycc.co.uk or by calling Velocity on 01865 249 854. For further information visit click here.

On Saturday 22 March, the Indie Oxford Festival will bring together the very best of the independent community for a day (and night!) of music, food and festival fun. For more information click here.