Major city road dug up to solve pipe puzzle

The scheme has faced repeated delays, with no date yet for completion

Work is continuing to find a solution to over-running roadworks on a city's key routes.

Botley Road in Oxford has been closed since April 2023 as part of a £161m Network Rail project to expand Oxford Station.

It was due to reopen in October, but the date was pushed back indefinitely due to "highly complex" pipework.

In an update, Network Rail said Thames Water would spend five weeks excavating "trial holes" to find a location to relocate a water main connection point.

Businesses have complained about the roadworks impacting their livelihoods

Information on ground conditions and services below the road will be collected to see if it is possible to move the connection point further west along Botley Road, towards Osney bridge.

Network Rail said two previous locations identified by its contractor, Kier, were rejected by Thames Water, with concerns the work could impact on Oxford's main water supply and sewer.

Once the excavations have been finished, a further four weeks will be needed to confirm the next steps.

Francis McGarry, investment director Wales and Western at Network Rail, apologised for the ongoing disruption.

"We want to give clarity to residents, businesses and stakeholders as soon as possible," he said.

"The work currently being carried out by Thames Water is vital to helping to find a way forward for this project.

"We will keep residents and the local community updated on any further developments as this work takes place."