Key Points
- Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed that Cottesmore footbridge in south Oxford will be fully replaced.
- The bridge linking Rose Hill and Iffley was closed in May after safety concerns were identified.
- The council has not provided a timescale for the replacement or reopening.
- Additional street lighting will be installed along the diversion route in December.
Oxford (Oxford Daily) October 28, 2026 – Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed plans to replace the Cottesmore footbridge in south Oxford after safety concerns forced its closure in May. The pedestrian bridge connects Rose Hill and Iffley, but the authority said it was not yet able to provide a schedule for construction or reopening. The council will install additional lighting along the current diversion route in December while plans progress.
Why was the Cottesmore footbridge closed?
As reported by BBC News, Oxfordshire County Council closed the footbridge in May after identifying concerns about the structure. The council said the decision was not taken lightly, but public safety remained its top priority.
The closure has affected pedestrians travelling between Rose Hill and Iffley and has required people to use a diversion route. The authority has now concluded that complete replacement is the safest, most reliable and most cost-effective long-term solution, according to its announcement reported by BBC News.
What has Oxfordshire County Council announced?
The council has confirmed that the existing bridge will be fully replaced rather than repaired. However, it said it was “not in a position to give any timescales just yet” for the project or the bridge’s reopening.
Additional street lighting is due to be installed on the current diversion route in December. The measure is intended to improve conditions for people using the alternative route during the continuing closure.
What could happen next for pedestrians?
People travelling between Rose Hill and Iffley are expected to continue using the diversion until the replacement project is designed, approved and delivered. With no confirmed construction or reopening date, disruption may continue for an unspecified period.
The lighting work should make the diversion route easier to use, but it will not restore the direct pedestrian crossing. Further information is expected from Oxfordshire County Council when a project timetable becomes available.
What is the background to the bridge replacement?
Cottesmore footbridge was closed in May after Oxfordshire County Council raised safety concerns about its condition. The bridge links the south Oxford communities of Rose Hill and Iffley and is used by pedestrians. After months of uncertainty, the council confirmed that full replacement would be pursued. The authority has not yet announced the project’s cost, start date or reopening date.
How could the lack of a timescale affect the BBC audience?
For BBC readers in Oxford and the surrounding area, the absence of a replacement timetable means residents and commuters cannot yet plan for the return of the direct route. People who rely on the footbridge may face continued additional walking and uncertainty over journey times. The December lighting installation may improve the diversion, but the wider disruption will remain until replacement work is completed and the bridge reopens.
