NETWORK Rail is electrifying the GW Main Line, rebuilding Bicester-Oxford and will rebuild Bicester-Bletchley.

It wants to enlarge Oxford station and the whole Didcot-Wolvercote line.

But NR has deferred by several years the “dynamic loop’’ needed at Hanborough to increase Cotswold Line regularity and reliability. And it has long seemed reluctant to reopen stations at Kidlington and Grove. FGW, likewise, seems reluctant to reinstate Oxford-Bristol direct trains.

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The reason is Oxfordshire’s main railways are almost full. Didcot-Challow needs to be increased from two tracks to four. This would add enough capacity to restore Oxford-Bristol trains, and to add a service between Grove and Didcot.

Abingdon, Carterton and Witney should be reconnected to rail. Whether by trains, trams or continental-style “tram-trains” is for closer study.

Trains or trams to Witney and Carterton could cost £100m–£150m.

It takes time to raise enough political support for this. So Witney Oxford Transport also backs intermediate measures such as better access to Hanborough station. WOT is likewise considering a parkway station at Yarnton, using a mile of the former Witney Railway trackbed as road access from the A40.

Regular readers know I have proposed trains or trams to Witney since at least 2008 and Grove station since at least 2009.

And in 2007 I proposed an “Oxford Parkway” station. As chairman of Bus Users Oxford I have been part of WOT from almost the beginning.

Where has Lib Dem councillor John Howson been these last eight years?

Hugh Jaeger
Park Close
Oxford


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