ESTATE agents have predicted a boom in property prices in Kidlington to coincide with the opening of the new Oxford Parkway station later this year.

From October passengers will able to get to London Marylebone in less than an hour from the new station.

It is expected 1,000 more passengers will use the line every morning.

Property experts have said the average cost has already risen dramatically in a matter of months and the increase could continue.

On property site Zoopla the average value of a detached property is £500,000 and a semi-detached is more than £300,000.

Last year the average asking price in Kidlington was about £300,000 and it is now more than £340,000, compared to the average UK price of £260,000. In comparison the average value of a property in Woodstock Road, Oxford, is more than £565,000.

Investors are said to have caused the rise in prices – with many buying properties near Oxford Parkway.

The first train will roll out of the station on October 26 and will arrive in London just 56 minutes later.

Breckon and Breckon sales manager Chris Dixey said: “It’s not a question that a huge amount of people are moving because of the railway station.

“What has pushed prices up is investors buying. For example two to three-bedroom flats for £200,000 but they have gone up to £250,000, £275,00 in price.

“Typically, when you have a new railway station you see an uplift in price. There will be a direct link to London.”

Robin Swailes, of Robin Swailes Design and Development, said Kidlington, like Oxford is very attractive for commuters to London, because they can get there in under an hour.

He added: “In 2014 two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes were worth £340 per square foot. Now similar homes are £375 just 12 months later.

“I think Kidlington will be 10 per cent higher next year.”

David Betts, 66, parish councillor and resident of Kidlington for 40 years said he had seen a continual rise in the house prices since he bought his own home in 1999.

He added: “It concerns me for my family and for people who have children who want to buy a house. There is no point having expensive houses where we have people working on smaller incomes and can never live there.”

Estate agent for Martin Co Richard Goodwin said Kidlington used to be a wellkept secret, but wasn’t anymore: “With the railway line being put in, it’s going to be worse. I had clients looking at properties for £250,000 in March and February.

“Now in June some are up to £285,000."