Passengers can now enjoy improved parking at Banbury Rail Station with the west car park reopening in time for the Christmas and new year travel peak. The improvements are part of an Oxfordshire County Council project to enable better access to the station.
The county council and its contractor, M Group Limited, have been building a new road enabling access from the south, providing footways, cycleways and bus stops, and resurfacing.
Commuters and those travelling over the festive period can now drive into the west car park from the new access route up Tramway Road, using the new mini roundabout. Drivers can also drop off passengers on Tramway Road. Station Approach Road north and the station forecourt are now open for drop off and parking.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to reach this milestone in this much needed project for Banbury. Residents now have more choice in how they access Banbury Rail Station and, crucially, we’ve made it possible to improve bus access in the new year.
“If you are walking, cycling or wheeling, new footpaths and cycleways will make journeys safer. In the new year, the B3, 489 and 499 buses routes will begin stopping outside and we will complete work on an extra passenger drop off facility.
“Our ambition has always been to make it easier to get to Banbury Rail Station and take the train onwards and this new travel hub will make a positive difference to station users into the new year and beyond.”
Construction started in October 2024, with the new roundabout, new section of Tramway Road and the Tramway Road footpath opening for access to the industrial estate and football ground in June of this year.
Work has now been completed in the station west car park A, along Station Approach Road north and in the station forecourt, including new drainage, surfacing, lighting, fencing and landscaping.
The county council has also completed designs for a new drop off facility planned south of the new roundabout. Subject to land agreements, this will provide six bays plus one reserved for disabled users and is expected to be built in spring 2026.
Michael Stewart, Commercial and Customer Strategy Director at Chiltern Railways, said: “We have been working with Oxfordshire County Council to carry out significant upgrades to Banbury station, including new footpaths, cycleways and bus stops which will be transformational for rail users. In addition to this, there will be enhanced parking options for our customers at the station.
“Over the last 18 months, we have also opened a new café, toilets, and carried out a painting programme to improve the overall experience for our customers at Banbury.”
New signage will be in place to inform drivers about designated parking areas and that a ‘bus gate’ only route, restricting standard vehicles from Tramway Road to Bridge Street, is now live along Station Approach Road north.
Stagecoach Bus has confirmed that the B3 and 488/489 bus routes will stop at the Banbury Rail Station from Sunday 4 January, with updated timetables now available on their website.
Notes for editors
More information on the Banbury Rail Station access improvements can be found at oxfordshire.gov.uk/banburystation
Updates to the Banbury bus routes and timetables can be found on the Stagecoach Bus website: https://www.stagecoachbus.com/service-updates/serviceupdatesarticle?SituationId=ID-11/12/2025-16:37:22:832
The west station car park provides 118 standard bays, four disabled and three enlarged bays at the back of the station.
Drivers can drop off or pick up on Tramway Road or enter Banbury Rail Station via Bridge Street and use the drop off areas at the north and east sides of the station, with the north providing close access to the station front door.
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