Islip Bridge will close to all motor vehicles from 28 September to 20 November 2026 while Oxfordshire County Council repairs the structure and installs permanent traffic lights. Preparation work starts a week earlier, on 21 September. Pedestrians and cyclists are expected to retain access throughout, but buses, taxis, deliveries and other vehicles will have to divert.
Anyone travelling between Islip, Barton, Headington, Kidlington and the surrounding villages should allow extra time this autumn. The closure is on the B4027 bridge over the River Ray at the southern edge of Islip, and the official diversion makes a substantial loop around north Oxford.
There is also an important complication for bus passengers: the council’s closure information refers to the H5, but that service is being replaced by Thames Travel route 25 before the bridge shuts. A temporary route 25 timetable and full shuttle-bus details had not been published when this guide was checked on 30 August.
Islip Bridge closure dates at a glance
| Dates | Arrangement | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 21–25 September 2026 | Temporary traffic lights | The bridge remains available to vehicles during site preparation, but delays are likely. |
| 28 September–20 November 2026 | Full closure to all vehicles | Cars, vans, taxis, lorries and buses cannot cross the bridge. A signed diversion will operate. |
| Throughout the works | Pedestrian and cycle access maintained | People should follow the temporary route and instructions from staff at the site. |
| 20 November 2026 | Planned end of the vehicle closure | No precise reopening time has been announced. The programme remains subject to weather and site conditions. |
The wider project is expected to last approximately ten weeks. The full motor-vehicle closure itself is scheduled for almost eight weeks, beginning on Monday 28 September.
Where is Islip Bridge?
Islip Bridge carries the B4027 across the River Ray immediately south of the village. It is close to the junction area for Mill Street, Lower Street, Kings Head Lane, The Walk and Wheatley Road.
The closure does not mean every road into Islip will be sealed. Residents, businesses and visitors will still be able to approach the village from the appropriate side. However, no motor vehicle will be able to cross the bridge and continue through.
What is the official diversion route?
The signed diversion is a long loop around north Oxford. From the Islip side of the closure, it runs broadly:
- west along Kidlington Road;
- along Bicester Road towards Kidlington;
- south through the Kidlington–Oxford corridor;
- east on the A40 around north Oxford;
- through Barton and back towards the B4027 south of Islip.
The same roads are used in reverse for traffic travelling in the opposite direction.
Oxfordshire County Council summarises the bus diversion as Kidlington Road, Bicester Road, the A40 and Barton. Its full map shows the wider loop and the access-only roads around the work site.
Drivers should follow the temporary yellow signs rather than relying on a sat-nav shortcut. Roads through nearby villages are narrow in places and may not be suitable for diverted through-traffic, larger vehicles or farm machinery.
Which bus service will be affected?
The affected public bus link is the service between Bicester, Islip, Barton and the John Radcliffe Hospital—but its number changes shortly before the closure.
Oxfordshire County Council’s bridge page calls it the H5. However, Stagecoach H5 is due to be withdrawn on 20 September. From that date, the connection is replaced by the new Thames Travel route 25.
The normal route 25 will run hourly from Monday to Saturday between Upper Heyford and the John Radcliffe Hospital, serving Heyford Park, Middleton Stoney, Chesterton, Bicester, Ambrosden and Islip. There is no normal route 25 service on Sundays or public holidays.
This means passengers travelling after 20 September should look for route 25, not H5. The county council and operator still need to reconcile the service number in their closure information.
How will route 25 operate during the closure?
The council says the service replacing H5 will continue to reach Islip from the north before using the signed diversion through Kidlington and along the A40 to Barton, and vice versa. It has also confirmed that a shuttle bus will operate between Barton and the bus stop on the south side of Islip Bridge.
As of 30 August, Thames Travel had published the new route 25’s normal timetable but not a closure-specific timetable. The council had also not published the shuttle’s frequency, operating hours, intermediate stops or ticket arrangements.
| Service | Confirmed position | What passengers should do |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Replaces H5 from 20 September and normally links Bicester, Ambrosden and Islip with Barton and the JR Hospital | Check the operator’s temporary timetable before travelling from 28 September. Allow extra time. |
| 25A | Links Upper Heyford, Bicester, Ambrosden and Upper Arncott | Do not confuse it with route 25: it does not provide the Islip–JR connection. |
| Temporary shuttle | Planned between Barton and the bus stop south of Islip Bridge | Check the final timetable, boarding points, accessibility information and ticket validity before relying on it. |
Passengers using stops between Barton and Islip should pay particular attention to the temporary timetable. The published information does not yet confirm whether the shuttle will call at every existing stop around Stowford Farm, Beckley Turn and Elsfield, or whether any stops will be suspended.
The normal timetable allows around 15 minutes between Islip and Barton Park. That will not be a reliable guide during the closure: the diverted through-bus will travel much farther, and some journeys may require a shuttle connection.
For the latest information, use the Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel service-updates page and the new route 25 and 25A timetable.
Will pedestrians and cyclists be able to cross?
Yes. Oxfordshire County Council says pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained at all times during the works, including while the bridge is closed to motor vehicles.
Staff will be stationed at both ends of the closure to manage safety and provide assistance. People walking or cycling should expect a temporary works layout, possible short waits and instructions from site staff.
The council has not said that cyclists will routinely have to dismount, so this should not be treated as a requirement unless signs or marshals instruct riders to do so. It has also not published the usable width of the temporary passage. Anyone using a cargo bike, adapted cycle, cycle trailer or unusually wide mobility aid may wish to seek confirmation before travelling.
What about residents, businesses, visitors and deliveries?
The council says access to nearby homes and businesses will be accommodated where possible, although short delays may occur.
That does not create an exemption allowing vehicles to cross the bridge. Residents, customers, taxis, tradespeople and delivery drivers must approach from the correct side of the closure.
| Journey | Arrangement during the full closure |
|---|---|
| Visiting a home or business north of the bridge | Approach Islip from the north or west without attempting to cross the bridge. |
| Reaching a property south of the bridge | Approach from the Barton/B4027 side. |
| Taxi or private-hire journey across the bridge | Not permitted; the driver must use the signed diversion. |
| Deliveries and collections | Allowed to approach accessible premises, but vehicles cannot use the bridge as a through-route. |
| Emergency vehicles | The council has not published a public crossing exemption; motorists should not assume one exists. |
Drivers with a destination close to the work site should allow time for staff to manage access safely.
Could the train be a useful alternative?
For some journeys, yes. Islip railway station is outside the bridge work site and has Chiltern Railways services towards Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village.
The train will not replace every local bus journey—particularly travel directly to the John Radcliffe Hospital—but it may avoid the road diversion for trips between Islip, Bicester and Oxford. Passengers should check the live journey planner for engineering work or timetable changes.
Islip is an unstaffed station. Step-free access is available to both platforms, although the route to platform 2 includes a long ramp. More information is available on the Chiltern Railways Islip station page.
Why is Islip Bridge being closed?
Oxfordshire County Council says increasing traffic levels and heavier vehicles have contributed to deterioration of the bridge. A full closure allows the work to be completed safely without repeated shorter closures.
The project includes:
- permanent three-way traffic lights controlling movements across the bridge;
- narrowing the carriageway to three metres so traffic uses the stronger central part of the structure;
- a new 1.5-metre footway on the west side;
- traffic calming on the southern approach;
- drainage repairs and resurfacing;
- footway improvements and new road markings;
- making part of Mill Street one-way in advance of the scheme.
Once the work is complete, motor traffic will use a single controlled lane across the bridge. The council says this should protect the structure, improve conditions for pedestrians and discourage unsuitable through-traffic in Islip.
Frequently asked questions
Can cars cross Islip Bridge during the closure?
No. From 28 September to 20 November, the bridge is due to be closed to all motor vehicles.
Are buses exempt?
No. Buses cannot cross the bridge. The service replacing H5 will divert, and a separate shuttle is planned between Barton and the south side of the bridge.
Is H5 still running when the bridge closes?
No. H5 is due to be replaced by Thames Travel route 25 on 20 September, before the full closure begins.
Can people walk or cycle across the bridge?
Yes. The council says access for pedestrians and cyclists will remain available throughout the work.
Will Islip businesses remain accessible?
Yes, from the appropriate side of the closure. Vehicles will not be permitted to cross the bridge, and short access delays may occur.
Will the bridge definitely reopen on 20 November?
That is the scheduled final day of the motor-vehicle closure, but no exact reopening time has been announced. The programme is subject to weather and site conditions, so travellers should check for an update before making plans.
Where to check for updates
- Oxfordshire County Council’s Islip Bridge project page
- Official diversion map
- Oxford Bus Company and Thames Travel service updates
- Route 25 and 25A timetable from 20 September
- Chiltern Railways live information for Islip
Information checked on 30 August 2026. Bus passengers should check again shortly before 28 September because the temporary route 25 and shuttle timetables had not yet been published.
