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We’re building a new footbridge with lifts at Tackley station to replace the level crossing
In June 2026, work will begin to build a new footbridge with two lifts at Tackley station. We aim to open the new bridge in spring 2027, with the lifts to follow later in the year. The bridge will be built on Network Rail land under permitted development. The bridge will be built on the site of the current, temporary, scaffold bridge.
Temporary platform closure
To allow the new bridge to be built, from 12 June 2026 the southbound platform, for trains towards Oxford, will be closed. No trains will call at this platform until the new bridge opens. Trains will continue to call at the northbound platform, for trains towards Banbury, as normal.
Passengers for Oxford can take a northbound train to Banbury and travel back to Oxford. Or take the S4 stagecoach bus that runs hourly from Tackley to Oxford. Hanborough and Oxford Parkway stations are also nearby with direct links to Oxford.
Parking suspension
Our site compound is east of the railway and we need to bring in large materials and equipment. The only access is via Nethercote Road and over the railway. To keep properties and vehicles safe, we’ll occasionally need to suspend parking on Nethercote Road on some weekend nights. The full list of dates and times can be found below.
Our team will only suspend parking if it’s necessary and do everything they can to minimise the impact for residents. We can only take materials and equipment over the railway when trains aren’t running, so a lot of our deliveries need to happen at night.
Tackley level crossing was closed under emergency measures in 2020. We submitted a Transport and Works Act Order to permanently close the crossing.
We applied for a Transport and Works Act Order to change the route of the bridleway near Tackley station. A public inquiry was held between 18 June and 3 July 2024. After reviewing the planning inspector’s report, the Secretary of State (SoS) issued a “minded to refuse” decision in May 2025.
The SoS invited Network Rail to consider an alternative route for the bridleway further away from the railway. An alternative route was proposed and consultation took place with key stakeholders. We are waiting for a decision by the SoS.
Our original plans also included proposals to close Sandy Lane and Yarnton Lane level crossings. This has been deferred due to freight growth forecasts not being as high as anticipated. We will continue to monitor freight demand in the area to identify when further work may be needed.
Public safely remains our highest priority and we continue to monitor, inspect and risk assess all level crossings.
Tackley Transport and Works Act Order application documents
We’re building a new, permanent footbridge with two lifts to replace the current, temporary scaffold bridge. The work will also enable the permanent closure of Tackley level crossing.
Why do you need to do this?
We need to provide a permanent, safe access route over the railway for both station users and anyone trying to cross the railway. The project will also provide step-free access from both platforms for rail users.
Why is the work taking so long to complete?
Building over a live railway is a unique challenge. Access to the tracks is needed for construction and this is only regularly available on weekend nights. The additional challenge at Tackley is that making deliveries to our site compound east of the railway also needs track access, which extends the length of the work.
When will the work take place?
We’ll begin setting up our site compound in May. Main construction will then begin in June. The Oxford-bound platform will be closed from Friday 12 June. We aim to open the footbridge in spring 2027, with the lifts to follow later in the year.
I use the footpaths near the station, will I be impacted?
Some temporary footpath closures will be needed during the work to keep the public safe. Temporary diversions will be in place.
Can I still use the bridleway near the station?
The bridleway near the station is being rerouted to keep pedestrians, horses and riders safe from the railway. We’re waiting for the Secretary of State to approve our plans before work can begin. In the meantime, the bridleways near the station remain open but some temporary diversions will be needed during the work to keep the public safe.
Will the bridleway east of the railway be closed?
Yes. We’ll be using the bridleway east of the railway as an access route to our site compound during the work. The bridleway will be temporarily closed to keep the public safe.
Will non-station users be able to use the footbridge and lifts?
Yes. When complete, the footbridge and lifts will be available for station users and anyone trying to reach the bridleway east of the railway.
Who can I contact if I have concerns?
You can call our 24-7 helpline 0345 711 4141 or visit networkrail.co.uk/contactus
Will you be working at night?
Some work will need to take place at night and at weekends when trains aren’t running so we can safely access the track and build the new structure We’ll let residents know when this will happen.
Where will the bridge be built?
The new bridge will be built on the same site as the current, temporary bridge. This is the only available location at the station due to the limited land owned by Network Rail in the area
Why can’t the new bridge be built further north while keeping the temporary bridge open?
We reviewed several potential locations for the new bridge. The chosen location was the most suitable within our available land that minimises the impact of the bridge on residents. A location further north would have involved significantly more engineering work, which would make the cost of the project unviable.
How high will the bridge be?
The bridge will be approximately 11 metres higher than the platforms.
What colour will the bridge be?
The bridge will be painted green as per the below visualisation. The bridge has been designed to limit the impact on local residential properties.
Where will your site compound be?
Our site compound will be on farmland east of the railway, on the opposite side from Tackley village.
Will the new bridge overlook my house?
The design includes solid screening and a higher parapet on the staircase closest to properties. This will prevent any properties being overlooked. As part of the planning process, we completed assessments for landscape and visual impact, daylight impact, lighting impact, architectural visualisation and design and access. These were all submitted to the local planning authority, West Oxfordshire District Council. These assessments were required to show that the bridge would not have an adverse impact on neighbouring properties.
My house has depreciated in value, can I claim compensation?
We are only liable for compensation if we are negligent in our work and cause damage to property.
How did planning get approved without public consultation?
Planning consent was obtained under permitted development rights, with supporting designs and documents submitted to the local planning authority, West Oxfordshire District Council. The application was published on their website, and approval was granted in accordance with their standard processes, which are publicly available online.
Will the work be disruptive?
The nature of our work means some extra noise and light is unavoidable but we’ll take all reasonable steps to keep this to a minimum.
Will your work affect Nethercote Road?
Some temporary parking restrictions will be needed overnight at weekends along Nethercote Road. This is to allow deliveries to be made to our site compound. This needs to happen when trains aren’t running so we can cross the railway to our site compound. We’ll contact local residents to let them know when this will happen.
We are planning to minimise deliveries via Nethercote Road where possible, by using the farm track east of the railway. But due to the height restriction of the railway bridge, only smaller vehicles can use this route.
Can I claim compensation for the disruption?
We are only liable for compensation if we have been negligent and caused damage to property.
I am concerned about my house and potential cracks developing due to heavy vehicles using Northcote Road?
Before work begins, the houses along Nethercote Road will be surveyed. Their condition will be monitored throughout the work and another survey will take place when the work is completed.
Will there be any alternative parking while there are restrictions along Northcote Road?
Due to the size of Tackley village and available land, there is no alternative car park we can offer. We kindly ask residents to park in nearby roads when suspensions are in place. Any cars parked on Nethercote Road during suspensions will be towed to nearby roads without penalty.
Will all the weekends listed in the parking suspensions letter be reserved for heavy vehicles?
We have applied for restrictions on all the listed weekends to successfully complete the project. As work begins, we will evaluate our needs and some of the dates may not be required.
I will need 24-hour access to my property along Nethercote Road. How will you accommodate my needs?
Nethercote Road remains open during the work and there are no restrictions for pedestrians. Our team on site will do everything possible to offer support, such as anyone with a disability.
Will trains be affected?
Trains towards Banbury will continue to run as normal. Trains towards Oxford won’t call at Tackley during the work as the platform will be closed. This is because we have to take down the temporary bridge and there is no safe alternative route for passengers to cross the railway.
Will you provide a replacement bus?
A review of alternative travel options from Tackley to Oxford was completed. The review concluded that due to the low number of customers and the high cost of providing road transport for an extended period, it would not be cost effective to provide either a bus or a taxi service.
Taxis will still be provided for anyone with accessibility needs using the existing Great Western Railway booking process.
How can I travel to Oxford during the work?
The S4 Stagecoach bus service operates hourly between Tackley village and Oxford, also stopping at Oxford Parkway. Alternatively, customers can take a train from Tackley to Heyford or Banbury and then change platforms for trains to Oxford for no additional charge.
Can I claim back my bus fare?
Customers should use the S4 bus on a pay-as-you-go basis. To ensure customers aren’t paying more during the work, Great Western Railway will temporarily reduce the cost of a single fare from Oxford to Tackley. This ensures that the cost of a bus ticket to Oxford and return rail fare is equivalent to an off-peak return rail ticket.
Will my journey be longer?
Yes. Journeys by road are around 35 – 45 minutes depending on traffic, which is 20 – 25 minutes longer than the train.
Why can’t you keep the scaffold bridge up?
The new bridge needs to be built in the same location as the temporary bridge. There isn’t a safe alternative location for the temporary bridge.
Why can’t you reopen the level crossing temporarily?
The level crossing was closed in 2020 after several safety incidents. With the number of passenger and freight trains using the line, it’s an unacceptable risk to reopen the crossing.
Can’t you send passengers via the water works?
The footpath via the water works is along uneven ground and several miles back to Tackley village, so it’s not an appropriate alternative route for passengers. Part of the route will also be used as access to our site compound.
Can I still walk to the station during the work?
Yes. Pedestrian access to the northbound platform is not impacted during the work.
