VIBRATIONS and noise from a nearby railway line will disturb school lessons, parents fear.

Wolvercote Primary School hopes to build new classrooms, but they could end up near to a train line that is being upgraded.

Chiltern Railways and Network Rail are working to double track the line between Oxford and Bicester, which passes through the area.

Meanwhile, the school is hoping to replace its reception class buildings to take on more pupils – which would place it right next to the upgraded line.

Mother-of-two Leanne McClements has claimed that nothing has been proposed to dampen noise and vibrations coming from the nearby line when it is finished.

The 39-year-old, who lives in a neighbouring complex of flats, said: “I am very concerned about the affect of noise and vibrations on our children and our properties.

“We could end up with children trying to learn with a lot of noise every 15 minutes, throughout the school day. I do not think that is acceptable.

“It seems to me that the two schemes (the school extension and the rail works) should be taken into account together, but that does not seem to have happened.”

After a public consultation in 2013, Oxfordshire County Council decided to expand Wolvercote Primary School so it could cater for more pupils.

It will demolish its existing nursery building and build new classrooms next to the neighbouring railway line on the east side of the school grounds.

In its planning application, the school said it had consulted on the plans with Network Rail.

It also commissioned a noise assessment, done by consultancy firm Cole Jarman.

The assessment said: “(The building) will be in close proximity to the eastern boundary of the site and the rail lines in cutting beyond.”

The firm added that trains could also run “much faster”, possibly at 100mph, than current services which go past the school, but that some protection from noise was given by greenery.

It recommended the expansion go ahead, but warned: “Current noise levels are at the threshold of where single-sided natural ventilation via open windows would be acceptable... With changes to the train line, the noise climate will increase.”

The city council will decide whether noise and vibration mitigation measures are required later this year.

  • Our top stories: