| Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by eightonedee at 19:03, 12th January 2026 |     |
I don't think this has been posted in any Coffee Shop post before (CfN 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?
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by stuving at 19:46, 12th January 2026 | |
I don't think this has been posted in any Coffee Shop post before (CfN 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?
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 ones to Oxford. There are also XC buses to Oxford and to Banbury.
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by ChrisB at 20:09, 12th January 2026 | |
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 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!
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 20:12, 12th January 2026 | |
CfN (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.
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by ChrisB at 20:19, 12th January 2026 | |
In which case, I'll add GWRs 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.
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
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by grahame at 20:28, 12th January 2026 | |
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?
| Re: Closure between Didcot and Oxford 1-8 February 2026 Posted by ChrisB at 20:29, 12th January 2026 | |
Nope - GWR error there, combining both Bicester stations
