The final countdown to the launch of a new Chiltern Railways service between Oxford and London Marylebone after the latest railway upgrade was finished on time.

A new section of track between Oxford Rail Station and Oxford Parkway was completed at 2.37am yesterday morning by Network Rail.

With the new infrastructure now complete the new direct connection - two fast trains an hour, travelling in both directions - is ready to launch on Monday, December 12.

It will be the first new rail link between a major British city and London for more than 100 years.

Train passengers will then have two ways to get to London - via Bicester into London Marylebone or on the existing route via Reading into London Paddington.

Martin Frobisher, route managing director for Network Rail's London North Western route, said: "This paves the way for our partners Chiltern Railways to launch their new central Oxford-to-London Marylebone services in December.

"The railway upgrade will boost business and create exciting new opportunities for people in the Oxford region."

Dave Penney, managing director of Chiltern Railways, said: "The current service from Oxford Parkway has been phenomenally successful with more than 1.5 million passengers using the line to date. 

"The completion of the historic project allows provides an alternative route to London for over 100,000 people and reopens a key commuting line between the growing town of Bicester and Oxford.”