Business leaders have called on the Department for Transport to insist the North-South train service from Didcot Parkway station is resumed now that the cross-country franchise is up for tender.

Virgin CrossCountry, which currently runs the franchise, missed out the station altogether in 2002 when it said that congestion at Didcot Parkway was affecting the punctuality of its trains running from the South Coast to Scotland.

Christina Howell, head of external affairs at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce Group, said: "It is essential that a train service is resumed for Didcot Parkway.

"The population of Didcot is now 25,000, and forecast to grow to 34,000 by 2016. This is significantly larger than many small stations that already justify a cross-country service, such as Penrith (15,000) and Totnes (8,000)."

According to the DfT's requirements, contenders for the new franchise must support the economic growth of south Oxfordshire and reflect the needs of major housing growth areas.

Virgin Rail spokesman David Ewart said: "Obviously we shall submit an application which fulfills the criteria laid down by the Department,"

DfT spokesman Miriam Lea said: "Didcot Parkway currently gets up to five services per hour in each direction.

"We are currently considering responses to the consultation on the new cross-country franchise. These responses will inform the service we ask bidders to provide."

Garry Bloom (pictured), a member of the council of the Oxford Chamber of Commerce, said: "As a regular user of Didcot Parkway, I fully back the campaign to make cross-country services stop at Didcot Parkway."

Ms Howell added: "Didcot contains a concentration of science-based, high-value businesses which employ around 8,500 people. With this set to grow by a further 6,500 employees, it is essential that this expansion is supported by a satisfactory transport infrastructure."