DELAYS completing safety checks on signals meant the opening of new double track on the Cotswold Line did not run smoothly yesterday.

Commuters at Kingham, Charlbury, Hanborough and Oxford found their trains were not running or were late, because of speed restrictions on the reopened section of the line in Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.

And passengers could face more disruption over the next two days, while work continues to complete tests on the new signalling system around Evesham.

The 16 miles of new track opened yesterday between Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham represent the final phase of a £67m two-year project to reverse cuts made in the early 1970s.

Four miles of extra track between Ascott-under-Wychwood and Charlbury opened in June, along with new platforms at both stations.

The route now has a 32-mile central stretch of double track, with two nine-mile single-track sections near Oxford and Worcester.

The aim is to improve punctuality and performance of trains on the line but yesterday’s problems meant two key morning commuter services were diverted from Worcester to run via Swindon, instead of serving Oxfordshire stations.

David Northey, Network Rail’s redoubling project manager, said: “We are sorry not to have hit our deadline.

“Our contractors Amey will be working round the clock to test and commission the signalling.

“Extra testers are being drafted in to help complete the work as quickly as possible, and we will give passengers regular updates.”

Despite the problems, a ceremony to mark the reopening of the line after a two-week closure went ahead as planned at Honeybourne station in Worcestershire, where a new platform and footbridge were opened.

Mr Northey told guests: “It’s nearly 40 years since British Rail was poised to start removing the double track in 1971. We have now put back what was taken out then. It's a great achievement.”

John Ellis, chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group (CLPG), which represents passengers, said: “Great things are happening on the Cotswold Line and it’s a great day for us all.

“The redoubling will mean a more reliable service — today excepted.

“We look forward to more frequent, faster and better trains.”

Mr Ellis said the group would continue to work with First Great Western, Network Rail and the Department for Transport to bring the typical journey time between London and Worcester down to two hours, rather than two hours 15 minutes now.

Two memorial benches were unveiled, one donated by the CLPG, the other in honour of lifelong railway enthusiast the Rev Ken Rider, from Stafford, who died in 2008.

A new timetable on the line will be launched on Monday, September 12, with three extra trains each way serving stations between Oxford and Moreton-in-Marsh and typical cuts in journey times between Oxford and Worcester of five minutes, and up to 20 minutes for some services.

For the latest information on which trains are operating on the Cotswold Line and progress to complete the signal checks, see the First Great Western website.