A SENIOR rail official backing the replacement of Oxford Station is definitely good news.

However, it would be even better news if he had access to any funding. Sadly, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

In the meantime, I do wonder whether the cash spent on the redesign competition for the station in 2015 might have been better used to create a new west facing entrance to the station?

The present main entrance on the city side of the station already faces issues with overcrowding, especially during the rush hour.

That will be made worse now that Chiltern will be bringing in passengers from the Bicester direction.

A simple west-facing entry would also unlock the use of Roger Dudman Way as a cycle path to the northern parts of the city that is lit, whereas the towpath that is the current route isn’t.

Should the now infamous bus gate in Worcester Street be in place before the station is rebuilt, a very likely occurrence, it would make even more sense to have a west facing entrance to the station.

Any redevelopment of the Osney Mead area just adds to the case.

Cllr JOHN HOWSON

Lib Dem, St Margaret’s Division, Oxfordshire County Council