Osney Bridge trunk mains replacement
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.
Network Rail’s expansion of Oxford Station means Botley Road is closed at the rail bridge. Due to delays with service diversions, the road will not reopen in October as planned and the closure will continue into 2025.
Our original plans would have required the full closure of Osney Bridge for us to do our work. To avoid cutting off residents and businesses, we would have needed to wait until Network Rail had finished working on the road.
Background
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.
The project team discovered issues with the northern footpath, requiring structural and environmental surveys. To carry out the surveys, we had to close a section of the River Thames and get a flood risk assessment permit from the Environment Agency (EA). The EA then informed us that river closures at this location are only permitted between November and March.
In March 2022, we completed the required surveys. The results confirmed our concerns with the condition of the northern footpath structure. The council subsequently determined that due to our temporary watermain inadvertently protecting the northern footpath from accidental vehicle loading, no further measures were needed at that time.
This solution couldn't work long-term. So, 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.
Three-phase project
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 November 2026: 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
January 2026 to May 2026: The temporary pipe bridge will be decommissioned and removed, along with the traffic management. The River Thames navigational path will be re-opened and we will demobilise from the site.
How this may affect you
From March 2024 to November 2025, we’ll need to close the following on the city-bound northside of the bridge:
- Pedestrian footpath
- Cycle lane
- Carriageway
- The Thames towpath access to Osney Bridge with a diversion via the alleyway to Abbey Road
- Intermittent closures of the River Thames from September 2024 to November 2025.
As part of the carriageway lane closure, temporary traffic lights on a timer will continue to be in place until all works are completed We will continue to monitor our programme for any opportunities to remove the traffic management.
Further updates
As works progress we'll provide further updates to this webpage.