Delivering a Solution for Network Rail Diversion

Client: Network Rail

Budget: £277,000

Department: Highways & Engineering (Infrastructure Solutions)

Completed: July 2025

Summary

During major infrastructure works of Oxford railway station and the closure of Botley road, one of the main arterial routes in and out of the City of Oxford, Network Rail implemented a diversion route to maintain bus services through a local community. While the diversion was essential to ensuring connectivity, it quickly became apparent that the designated road was not designed to cope with the weight and frequency of heavy buses.

ODS were approached to resolve this issue. After assessment of the diversion route, we presented different options and discussed them with stakeholders. Every recommendation was underpinned by a clear plan for implementation. Our solution was a tailored road reinforcement and management package designed specifically to withstand the temporary demands of heavy bus traffic.

Challenges

1. Structural capacity: The road had been constructed for car traffic, not for the repeated loading of large buses. Concerns arose about accelerated wear, subsidence, and potential long-term damage.

2. Resident concerns: Local residents expressed significant frustration with noise, vibration, and safety risks caused by heavy vehicles on unsuitable streets. The issue quickly became politically and socially sensitive.

3. Urgency: With the diversion already in operation, an immediate response was required to avoid service disruption and prevent reputational damage for Network Rail.

4. Complexity: Multiple organisations were involved, including Network Rail, local authorities, contractors, and the bus operators. Coordination across these stakeholders was essential to ensure a practical solution could be agreed and deployed quickly.

Solutions

Our approach was based on three core principles: speed, collaboration, and robustness.

• Rapid Assessment: Our team mobilised immediately to assess the diversion route and evaluate its suitability for heavy vehicle usage. We carried out site inspections, reviewed existing road design specifications, and considered traffic flow and loading patterns to establish the extent of the risk.

• Developing Options: Once the challenges were understood, we developed a series of potential solutions, evaluated on cost, speed of deployment, durability, and impact on residents. By presenting clear, evidence-based options, we enabled stakeholders to make informed decisions under tight timeframes.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Recognising the sensitive nature of the problem, we prioritised effective engagement with all parties. We worked closely with Network Rail, the local council, contractors, and community representatives to ensure concerns were addressed and that the chosen solution would achieve broad support.

• Focus on Deliverability: Every recommendation was underpinned by a clear plan for implementation. We knew that speed was critical, so we aligned the programme, procurement, and resourcing strategy from the outset to guarantee timely delivery once approval was secured.

As a result, we provided a tailored road reinforcement and management package designed specifically to withstand the temporary demands of heavy bus traffic. It balanced technical resilience with practical deliverability.

Key elements included:

• Strengthening the road surface and structure to accommodate higher axle loads.

• Traffic management measures to reduce pressure points and spread loadings.

• Clear communication channels established between all stakeholders to manage expectations and provide updates.

• Monitoring protocols to ensure the road remained safe and functional for the duration of the diversion.

Results

Despite the compressed timescales and the number of stakeholders involved, the project was delivered:

• On Time: We worked within a rapid deployment window to ensure that the road solution was in place without delaying the wider infrastructure programme.

• On Budget: By carefully scoping works and controlling costs, we delivered within the agreed budget parameters.

• To Quality Standards: The solution met all safety and durability requirements, giving Network Rail and the council assurance that the diversion would remain viable until the completion of the main works.

Client Testimonial

Thank you for the way you conducted yourselves in a somewhat difficult situation. The team was very helpful for residents. Also thank you for changing things round at the last minute on a few occasions to accommodate Network Rail. The standard of work is of a very high standard and the team worked extremely hard in high temperatures.

Andrew Gurd, Project Manager / Senior Construction Manager, Network Rail

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