A mural depicting a workman lounging lazily on a hammock has been painted to convey frustration over delays to major roadworks in Oxfordshire

The artwork, Road to Nowhere, was inspired by the £231m Botley Road project to upgrade Oxford Station, which saw Network Rail close the route in April 2023 as part of a major scheme to revitalise the station. The project includes replacing the rail bridge, with better access provided for pedestrians and cyclists, creating a new western entrance to the station, and building a new platform to improve East West rail links.

The scheme has been hit by repeated delays, with Botley Road not due to reopen until August 2026.

Now a new artwork referencing the length of time the road has been closed has appeared outside West Oxford Community Centre in Botley Road. It is thought the mural has been completed by city artist Mani, the “Oxford Banksy”.

Another sign in the painting says “Work starts 11/04/2023 for 1,208 days and counting”, while a third reads “Road to nowhere”.

One local resident told the Oxford Mail the mural reflected how frustrated residents felt on a daily basis.

She added: “It’s perhaps a bit unfair to the contractors – it’s the Network Rail bosses who should be criticised, not the contractors themselves – they have worked hard.”

Network Rail bosses have pledged to open a new walkway at the rail bridge, connecting Botley Road with Frideswide Square, by the end of August. The cost of the project has increased due to the delays, and the £161m total cost has now increased to about £230m, according to rail minister Peter Hendy.

A spokesman for Network Rail said:

“Work is progressing well and we are currently on track to open the new wider walkway in Botley Road, improving accessibility for cyclists and pedestrians, at the end of next month.” 

(Pics: Network Rail; Oxford Mail)