A large crane has appeared as Thames Water work continues at a bridge on Botley Road in Oxford.

Network Rail is in charge of a £161m scheme to improve Oxford rail station, which has closed the road to traffic at the railway bridge.

The closure was introduced last April and was scheduled to finish this month but the scheme has overrun and now a review is under way. No new date has been announced for when the road will reopen.

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In a separate work scheme, Thames Water is working on Osney Bridge.

Thames Water is replacing a leaking water pipe under the bridge, which was damaged by an Environment Agency boat in April 2021.

The repair work is now expected to last until November 2025.

(Image: Oxford Mail) A spokeswoman for Thames Water said: “We are lifting a new temporary pipe bridge into place as part of our three phase project to replace the damaged water mains pipe at Osney Bridge.”

Thames Water added on its website: "This is a three-phase project to replace damaged water mains and reinforce Osney Bridge in Oxford. 

"Following the damage in 2021, we installed a temporary pipe to maintain water supply to over 22,500 customers. This currently runs above ground in the cycle lane of Botley Road, across Osney Bridge. 

"Structural issues with the northern footpath have caused significant delays and complications. To replace the water mains safely, we must also reinforce the footpath. This requires a lane closure on Botley Road at Osney Bridge."

Thames Water added "background information" to explain the complexity of the work.

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It said: "The Osney Bridge trunk water main was damaged by a third party in June 2021. Due to the location and severity of the damage a simple repair wasn’t possible, and this led to the project being classed as a major scheme. 

(Image: Oxford Mail) "In April 2022, it was agreed that the project would become a joint scheme between Thames Water and Oxfordshire County Council. Our aim was now to resolve the poor condition of the footpath structure, as well as the damaged water main.

"The project team spent the next few months putting together an assessment report. This concluded that the footpath had never been safe for accidental vehicle loading. A far more complex solution was now needed to address the problem."

Work on the three-phase project is as follows: 

Phase 1 – Enabling works

September 2024 to November 2024: The temporary pipe bridge foundations will be completed. The bridge and pipework will then be lifted into place, connected and commissioned. 

Phase 2 – Main works

November 2024 to September 2025: Scaffolding will be installed to enclose the underneath of the bridge structure. Utility diversions will be put in place, and the water main will be replaced. The northern footpath will be repaired and upgraded.

Phase 3 – Decommission

October 2025 to November 2025: The temporary pipe bridge will be decommissioned and removed, along with the traffic management. The River Thames navigational path will be reopened.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.