Preparation work will begin shortly ahead of the start of construction on the new Oxpens River Bridge in west Oxford in the coming weeks.
The Oxpens River Bridge is a key infrastructure project, which will provide a new crossing of the river for walkers and cyclists between Oxpens and Grandpont, linking areas to the south and west with the city centre.
In order to enable the construction work on the bridge to happen safely and on time, footpaths through both Oxpens Meadow and Grandpont Nature Park will be closed, starting later this month (July).
About the footpath closures
The footpath through Oxpens Meadow will be closed from Wednesday 29 July, and the footpath through Grandpont Nature Park will then be closed on or soon after Monday 3 August.
This will include the footpath between the Gasworks Rail Bridge and the end of Whitehouse Lane, which will be closed to provide construction access to the bridge.
An alternative route will remain available for pedestrians and cyclists through Grandpont Nature Park. This route will be monitored and maintained during the closures.
In addition to the diversion through the Grandpont Nature Park, the recently opened southern footpath under the Botley Road bridge will also provide an improved route for pedestrians into and out of the city centre.
Timetable
The paths at both Oxpens Meadow and Grandpont are expected to reopen in Spring 2027, around the same time the Oxpens River bridge itself is due to be completed.
The Council recognises that the pathways are often used by residents as an alternative route during the closure of Botley Road.
Unfortunately, waiting to close these paths until after the full reopening of the Botley Road would delay the delivery of the Oxpens River bridge, prolong the closure of the Oxpens Meadow, and add risk by requiring more of the bridge construction work to be undertaken in the flooding season.
Oxford West End
The Oxpens River Bridge is a central element of the wider Oxford West End regeneration programme, helping to support a new vibrant and accessible district that prioritises sustainable transport and green infrastructure. By improving walking and cycling connections, the bridge will help reduce car dependency, cut carbon emissions, and provide more options for residents to travel sustainably around the city.
Staying up to date and key contacts
For more information and future updates on the project can be found on the Oxpens River Bridge webpage.
For queries related to the construction works please email the City Council’s appointed contractor Jackson Civils Engineering.
Comment
“This is an important next step in the journey of Oxpens River Bridge and creating a sustainable transport network in Oxford. We appreciate that these two footpaths are currently used as an alternative during the closure of Botley Road, and this will cause some further inconvenience to users. However, it is important that we stick to the timetable of this vital project for Oxford. We appreciate the patience of local residents during this stage, and encourage them to make themselves familiar with the two alternative routes that are available.”
Councillor Anna Railton, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Planning and Zero Carbon Oxford
