Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation for proposed height restrictions on the new bridge at Botley Road.

The plans also include scrapping parking spaces in Cripley Road in favour of ‘no waiting at any time’ prohibitions.

As reported last month, vehicles more than 4.4m tall will no longer be able to go through the new Botley Road bridge once the road finally reopens this August.

An artist’s impression of how the new bridge could look (Image: Network Rail)

The new rail bridge in Botley Road Oxford (Image: Andy Ffrench)

It means that double decker trailers attached to the back of some lorries will not be able to access the city from Botley Road due to the height of the trailers reaching 4.95m.

However, all buses used in Oxfordshire including the double deckers will be able to drive under the bridge and be exempt from the restrictions.

Oxfordshire County Council says in its consultation that by introducing the height restrictions, it would help to ensure potential incidents of tall vehicles hitting the bridge are “minimised” which would then keep the flow of traffic.

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It adds that the reason to remove the shared use and permit holder only parking spaces in Cripley Road is as a result of carriageway re-alignment works and access to the station.

Spaces on the west side of Cripley Road would be lost in favour of ‘no waiting at any time’ restrictions.

Cripley Road parking suspension (Image: Matt Simpson)

“The council continues to consider the provision of suitable and adequate parking and to facilitating the expeditious, convenient, and safe movement of vehicles and other traffic, access to travel facilities and in particular to manage the demand between retail, residential parking and commercial access for vehicles servicing the station,” a spokesperson for the council added.

A Network Rail spokesman said earlier that the new bridge has been built to county council specifications at 4.4m high, “which is suitable for the vast majority of vehicles on the road”.

But city and county councillor Susanna Pressel warned: “That means we may again get large vehicles stuck underneath it and/or forced to turn around in Mill Street or Abbey Road.”

In the UK, standard minimum clearance for bridges is 5.03m, but lower restrictions such as the new Botley rail bridge are common.

The previous bridge in Botley Road was signed at 4m tall and the council said this was a problem for some buses.

Oxfordshire County Council’s public consultation on the parking removal and height restrictions in the Botley Road area is open until June 5.

Newly appointed cabinet member for transport Rebekah Fletcher will have the final say on the decision at a scheduled meeting later that month.

A section of the A3400 in Chipping Norton will be worked on from Tuesday, May 12 with the possibility of it lasting until Saturday, May 16, to allow for surface dressing works.

However, the work is likely to be finished before Saturday as work often finishes earlier with surface dressing, the council said.

An alternative diversion route will be signed.

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Limited access will be maintained for emergency service vehicles and frontages, subject to progress of the works.

A total of 87 roads across the county are to be treated in an £8m surface dressing programme led by Oxfordshire County Council and its contractor M Group.

The aim is to tackle long-term road maintenance and prevent the formation of potholes.

The event was organised by the Friends of Launton Parish Hall near Bicester on Saturday, May 9, as part of its campaign to save its hall. 

The newest plans will see the installation of a new heating system, toilets and the rearrangement of the internal space to make it larger.

There are also plans to install solar panels on the roof and storage batteries to help power the heating.

Robert Cornford, chair of The Friends, said: “We are very pleased with the amount raised which will help fund the next stage of the project, being led by the Parish Council.”

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In 2025, a new roof, which cost around £65,000, was completed thanks to contributions the parish council and friends group, the Rural England Prosperity Fund and Section 106 developer funds.

Mr Cornford said:  “We have been very lucky to secure funding for the work from The FCC Communities Foundation, the National Lottery Community Fund, and the Doris Field Charitable Trust, as well as from our own fundraising events.”

At the fair, visitors enjoyed cakes, jams and plants, as well as a raffle, tombola, and refreshments.

A highlight of the event was the ‘Grow a Sunflower’ competition; results will be reported in September.

Launton Parish Hall is located on Bicester Road, next door to the village’s primary school.

The Friends of Launton Parish Hall will hold its annual general meeting on June 18, unless building work has begun.