NETWORK Rail has been given the go-ahead to start work in the city on a new rail route.

It comes after the west area planning committee decided to approve the Wolvercote section of the East West Rail scheme yesterday.

The Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 proposal will create a new service between Oxford and London Marylebone on an upgraded Oxford to Bicester line.

Councillors were satisfied vibrations and noise levels would stay within acceptable limits on the new route despite concerns raised by residents.

In her report to the committee, council officer Fiona Bartholemew said: “The two Vibration Schemes of Assessment have been shown to meet the tests set out.

“Both have demonstrated that the required standards set out in the Noise and Vibration Mitigation Policy will be achieved.” More than 600 people signed a petition against the Wolvercote section of the East West link, which was presented to Oxford City Council leader Bob Price earlier this month.

Hundreds of North Oxford residents feared an increase in freight traffic along the route would lead to unacceptable levels of noise and vibration.

They called for more to be done to tackle potential noise and vibration problems, including speed limits on stretches of the track.

But at a meeting last Thursday, council officers said they were unable to impose a speed limit on trains but would press Network Rail for a voluntary speed limit.

Residents said they were also concerned by construction work on the high-speed HS2 line, which would increase freight traffic along the Oxford-Bicester line.