North Oxford residents have voiced concerns about the impact of the proposed Oxford to London Marylebone rail route on their properties.

Residents living close to the upgraded line fear vibrations from faster, more frequent services could add to already serious structural problems at some homes.

Oxford West and Abingdon MP Dr Evan Harris raised local concerns about the proposed new £262m Chiltern Railways project with the Transport Minister, Sadiq Khan, as it emerged that a public inquiry would be held into the scheme in the autumn.

Property owners living close to the existing railway line say heavy freight trains have already left buildings structurally damaged, with roofs having to be replaced and walls cracking.

One resident, Keith Dancey, of Upper Wolvercote, said he had already been forced to spend more than £100,000 on structural repairs.

But he fears a new high-speed service with bigger trains would seriously compound local problems.

Concerns have been raised with local councillors by more than 25 residents from St Peter’s Road, Blenheim Drive, Lakeside and Linkside.

In the Commons, Dr Harris said: “Chiltern Railways’ proposed new rail route from Oxford to London Marylebone via Bicester is welcome, but there are concerns among residents of North Oxford about frequent and, because of their speed, noisier trains passing their houses. Does the minister agree that mitigation is the key issue for those residents?”

The minister agreed to Dr Harris’s request for a meeting to discuss Oxford residents’ problems.

Mr Khan said: “The announcement of the £262m Chiltern Railways Evergreen 3 project has some downsides.”

Mr Dancey said he and others living in 16 flats at Quadrangle House, Upper Wolvercote, had been forced to replace roofs and suffered severe walls cracks.

Mr Dancey, a mathematician who is looking after his seriously ill wife, said: “My flat is just about ten metres from the Oxford-Bicester line. The main problem we face is from excessive and dangerous vibration from heavy freight, resulting from the speed and axle weight of passing trains.The buildings move. It is no different, in practice, to small earthquakes.

“The line speed during the 1970s was 40mph and there were no passenger trains. Chiltern Railways’ proposals include moving the line nearer to our house, increasing the line speed, increasing the frequency and length of trains, which will increase the vibrations.

“The company first wrote to me to say the speed of freight trains will be increased to 60mph and that of passenger trains to 75mph. Without significant mitigation, the safety of our property and its occupants are at serious risk.“ Mr Darcey said he had written to Chiltern urging freight train speed to be limited to 30mph and passenger trains to 50mph.

Another St Peter’s Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: “Everyone has cracked walls. We are all very worried about the speed of trains.”

Wolvercote city councillor John Goddard said: “I think most people believe that the Chiltern scheme, in principle, is a good idea. But, if and when the scheme is implemented, there must be a way of making quite certain that the normal way of life of people who are closest is not unduly affected by noise and vibrations.”

Residents in Jericho will also be raising concerns with Chiltern about the risk of pollution from trains. Alan Armitage, Lib Dem councillor for West Central Oxford, said: “There are already lots of complaints about trains parked north of the station that keep their engines running, leading to pollution drifting across Jericho.”

Nick Cottam, for Chiltern Railways, said: “Noise insulation, such as double glazing, to those properties that are eligible under the Noise Insulation Regulations, will be statutorily required.

“Only six buildings are likely to be eligible, although noise insulation may be offered to other properties where it is the best way of mitigating high noise impacts.

“Although not statutorily required to do so, Chiltern Railways is exploring ways to provide noise mitigation for other properties which will suffer a substantial or high noise impact.

“Whilst vibration as a result of train movements may be perceptible in some areas, significant impacts are not expected due to its transient nature and low levels. In those areas with significant impacts and where properties are within ten metres of the tracks, specialist resilient track forms will be used where practicable, to reduce vibration to below recommended levels.”

The Chiltern Railways scheme would upgrade the Oxford-Bicester line to create a new fast Oxford route to London, creating a new railway station at Water Eaton with a 1,000-space car park, plus a new platform at Oxford’s railway station. Bicester Town Station will be completely rebuilt.