Compensate small businesses in Oxford threatened by Network Rail's endless incompetence

Compensate small businesses in Oxford threatened by Network Rail's endless incompetence

The Issue

Network Rail's Oxford station project cut our city in two, closing the only road in from the West, Botley Road.  Through Network Rail's incompetence,  the closure has been extended again and again, starting at just 4 days, now 18 months and counting!

In addition to huge inconvenience to many local people, local businesses are paying the price as trade is strangled. Network Rail's constant changes of plan - always at the last moment - make it impossible to cope. Several family businesses valued by the community say they doubt they can survive.

We demand Government, as the owner of Network Rail, compensate  businesses for their losses. Or failing that, the City and County Councils, both of which gave the go-ahead or supported this project on the basis of a four day closure.

It is morally wrong that people should lose their livelihood, and the community should lose its shops, because of mismanagement by this completely unaccountable, serially incompetent and curiously secretive government body.

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The Issue

Network Rail's Oxford station project cut our city in two, closing the only road in from the West, Botley Road.  Through Network Rail's incompetence,  the closure has been extended again and again, starting at just 4 days, now 18 months and counting!

In addition to huge inconvenience to many local people, local businesses are paying the price as trade is strangled. Network Rail's constant changes of plan - always at the last moment - make it impossible to cope. Several family businesses valued by the community say they doubt they can survive.

We demand Government, as the owner of Network Rail, compensate  businesses for their losses. Or failing that, the City and County Councils, both of which gave the go-ahead or supported this project on the basis of a four day closure.

It is morally wrong that people should lose their livelihood, and the community should lose its shops, because of mismanagement by this completely unaccountable, serially incompetent and curiously secretive government body.

Petition Updates