Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026

[whole diary]

[eightonedee]

I don't think this has been posted in any Coffee Shop post before (CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum) will no doubt confirm or oherwise), but here's a link to something that has come up on my newsfeed -

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25757868.oxford-didcot-parkway-train-line-close-10-days/

I cannot see how this matches the "10 days" headline, and some of the text looks like an exercise in confusing slapdash English - "Direct trains between Didcot Parkway or Oxford and Banbury will also be replaced with buses, but stopping services on the line will continue to operate." anyone?

[stuving]

I don't think this has been posted in any Coffee Shop post before (CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum) will no doubt confirm or oherwise), but here's a link to something that has come up on my newsfeed -

https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25757868.oxford-didcot-parkway-train-line-close-10-days/

I cannot see how this matches the "10 days" headline, and some of the text looks like an exercise in confusing slapdash English - "Direct trains between Didcot Parkway or Oxford and Banbury will also be replaced with buses, but stopping services on the line will continue to operate." anyone?

It was covered in the thread on Oxford station work in September - but I imagine the detailed plans for the closure may have changed. The duration even then was variously described as 8 or 9 days, and a small alteration to the set-up/clear-up plans could add another day without changing the main civils work.

And as for stopping services continuing - they could run to Radley. But I can't see any that do - the stoppers are also being provided by buses, some of the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) ones to Oxford.  There are also XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) buses to Oxford and to Banbury.

[ChrisB]

It's the Botley Road thread - replacement of rail bridge.

It is (still) running for 8 days (1-8 February inclusive - Sunday to Sunday inclusive)

No trains fast or stoppers between Oxford & Didcot. What the Mail  means is that there are also no *fast* trains Oxford <-> Banbury, but the GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) stoppers *are* still running (from Platform 1 & 2).

They are building two bridges over the through lines across Oxford station which will form a one-way system pedestrian walkway from Botley Road to the City Centre. So if you have ever wanted to walk across from one throgh platform to the other, now is your chance!

[Chris from Nailsea]

CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum) (that's me!) thanks several members here for their informative posts above.

I'm inclined to keep those most recent posts here, in this new topic, as this latest railway closure becomes increasingly topical, timewise.

Chris.

[ChrisB]

In which case, I'll add GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) advice -

Bridge replacement works will affect train services between Oxford and Didcot Parkway.
Replacement road transport is planned between:

Oxford and Didcot Parkway – direct and stopping services
Didcot Parkway/Oxford and Banbury – direct only
GWR will still operate trains between Oxford and Worcester, Great Malvern or Hereford via Evesham, plus train services between Oxford and Banbury (except on Sundays).

GWR will also operate trains at Didcot Parkway between London Paddington and South Wales, the West of England or the Cotswolds, including some Hereford services.

Chiltern Railways will still operate trains between Oxford and London Marylebone via Oxford Parkway, plus trains between Banbury and London Marylebone via Kings Sutton.

CrossCountry will operate trains between Didcot Parkway and Bournemouth via Reading, plus between Banbury and Manchester Piccadilly via Birmingham New Street.

Important to note

Trains at Oxford station will only be using Platform 1 or 2; all rail replacement services will be operating from the long-stay car park on Becket Street.

See the attached linear map

[grahame]

See the attached linear map

Thanks for that - but there's something wrong there to me.  Bicester Village isn't on the Banbury to Marylebone line is it?  Have I misread something?

[ChrisB]

Nope - GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) error there, combining both Bicester stations

[Ralph Ayres]

Nope - GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) error there, combining both Bicester stations

...and Kings Sutton should also be shown on the Marylebone line.  Is it just me, or is GWR's quoted advice over-complicated and cumbersome?