London-Bicester-Oxford rail link makes tracks (From Oxford Mail)

London-Bicester-Oxford rail link makes tracks

BUSINESS leaders have welcomed news that Chiltern Railways has lodged a formal application to carry out a £185m project to allow a new service between London and Oxford, via Bicester.

The Rail firm has applied to the Secretary of State for Transport for an order under the Transport & Works Act to construct a new connection between the Chiltern Line and Bicester Town station and improve the Oxford-Bicester line to allow 100mph running.

The plan also involves two extra platforms at Oxford station, a new Parkway station at Water Eaton park-and ride site, near Kidlington, a new Bicester Town station, and improvements at Islip station.

In addition, as part of its Evergreen3 project, Chiltern plans to carry out improvement work at several locations on the line between Banbury and London Marylebone, including Aynho junction, south of Banbury, to allow trains to run at higher speeds, cutting journey times.

Bob Langton, chairman of Bicester Vision, an independent group aimed at improving prosperity in the town, said: “This is exceptional news and the sooner the project gets under way, the better.

“We have given our full support to Chiltern Railways and written in support of the plan, which we think is enlightened.

“Tourists shopping at Bicester Village can much more easily go on and visit Oxford to see the historic attractions and visitors to the city can more easily visit Bicester Village and the town centre.

“Getting more people on the train will finally take some of the huge pressure off the A41 up to junction 9 and the A34.”

The services would see two trains run between Oxford and London Marylebone every hour, via Bicester Town station and the new connecting line.

The services would be in addition to the four trains an hour which First Great Western runs between Oxford and London Paddington, via Reading.

Graham Jones, a spokesman for city traders’ group Rox (Rescue Oxford), said: “It’s good news from a business point of view if people can get into Oxford more easily.

“There’s pressure on the Oxford to Paddington line and pressure on other forms of transport, as witnessed by the congestion over the Christmas period from people travelling to Bicester Village.”

A public inquiry into the application is expected to take place in autumn, with the Transport Secretary making a final decision early next year.

If it gets approval, Chiltern hopes to launch its Oxford-London service by May 2013.

The firm’s strategic development manager, Allan Dare, said: “We’re delighted to submit this application, as this project is a very important for us. We think there’s a big market for rail travel from Oxford to London, which isn’t being served at present.

“The new station at Water Eaton will give Kidlington a train station on its doorstep and also make it easier for commuters from North Oxford and west Oxfordshire to get trains to London.”

For details of the scheme, see chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk Anyone who wants to comment on the plan should email transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk by Wednesday, February 17.

l The Oxford-Bicester Rail Action Group, which represents passengers using the line between Oxford and Bicester Town, is holding its annual meeting on Thursday, January 28, at 6.30pm at the King’s Arms Hotel, in Bicester’s Market Square.