Railways are essential for the future of transport because of their high capacity and potential to operate with low emissions and inclusivity. Rail developments can be slow, and as we know in Oxford, disruptive, but hold on – there are a lot of new services planned to arrive.
There is a vision with Oxford as a hub for rail services heading in all directions. North to Birmingham, Northeast to Milton Keynes and Cambridge, Southeast to Reading and London, Southwest to Bristol and Northwest to Worcester.
These services will be enabled by a major expansion in infrastructure, with Oxford at its hub.
The Botley Road rail bridge upgrade is the key to this network, enabling an extra platform and tracks at Oxford station. Other work is underway to improve crossings, line speeds and stations. Capacity would be expanded by four-tracking the line south of Oxford (enabled by the new bridge) and double-tracking the North Cotswold line. A long-standing ambition to electrify the line from Didcot to Oxford has been extended to Hanborough, the new Government is still reviewing the power strategy for East West Rail, and even the Banbury/Birmingham route might be a possibility.
So what new train services will this bring for passengers?
Oxford to Bristol
An early win is GWR’s reintroduction of a direct train from Oxford to Bristol starting as a trial on Saturdays from 14 September 2024. These trains don’t stop at Didcot Parkway station, but bypass it on the ‘West Curve’.
East West Rail
East West Rail is a major project already in construction. In 2025 services will start from Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes – the tracks are already laid. By 2030, this may extend to Bedford, and later to Cambridge.
Cowley Branch Line
Plans have been developed to allow passengers back on the route from Oxford to Cowley that currently runs to the MINI plant, with new stations at Littlemore and Cowley. Trains would be run by Chiltern Railways and serve Oxford, Oxford Parkway, Bicester and London Marylebone.
Carterton-Witney-Oxford Rail
Technical and economic studies have been conducted for a rail link between Oxford, Witney and Carterton, showing it would be feasible. It would need £700-900 million investment and delivery would be in 2033 at the earliest. But 16 minutes from Witney to Oxford would be attractive to many.
North Cotswold Line upgrades
Potential double tracks on the North Cotswold Line would enable two trains per hour between Oxford and Worcester.
Stations, rolling stock and more
The plan also considers:
· A long-desired station at Grove for Wantage, with a passing loop
· Upgrades to Banbury station, both in the station and access to it
· Upgraded Culham station, enabling housing development with less dependency on car traffic
· New and cascaded stock on the Chiltern Railways lines, and longer Cross-Country trains
· Electrification enables electric and battery/electric trains
· Better links to buses, walking and cycling with mobility hubs, Community Rail Partnership and joint planning
