UK: Oxfordshire County Council is seeking feedback from residents, businesses and visitors to support the development of its future railway strategy, designated OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail. This envisages a line reopening, electrification and five new stations.
The council expects that having an approved rail plan will mean it is better placed to unlock future funding opportunities as they arise.
15-year plan
The plan covering the next 15 years includes upgrading railways, increasing passenger services, procuring new rolling stock and supporting freight to remove lorries from the local roads. There are specific measures to reduce rail-related noise and pollution and to decarbonise through electrification. The wiring at 25 kV 50 Hz of the line from Didcot Parkway to Bletchley as an ‘Electric Freight Spine’ is proposed by 2037. Oxford station would be at heart of the city’s plans for new homes, employment opportunities and public services.
An Oxfordshire Metro concept would look to co-ordinate train and bus timetables under a common branding, with more frequent services; this would include simplified ticketing using apps for payments and journey information.
Reopening of the freight-only Cowley branch to passenger services and the continued development of the East West Rail corridor to link Oxford to Cambridge are among the priority projects. The plan also proposes reinstating double track on the North Cotswold line to Hanborough, upgrading all 23 stations in the county and opening five new stations. These would be at Cowley and Littlemore on the Cowley branch, at Ardley on the Bicester - Banbury route, Begbroke on the Oxford - Banbury line, and Wantage & Grove on the GWML between Didcot and Swindon.
Shaping the future of transport
‘While the government and train operators are responsible for rail infrastructure and passenger services, with private operators delivering rail freight, we as the local transport and highways authority are a key stakeholder and partner in shaping the future of transport in the county’, said Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment & Climate Action.
‘With the move to a state-owned Great British Railways encompassing track and train, and the likely establishment of a mayoral strategic authority with substantial new powers and funding, our plan lays the foundations for the future. We are pushing hard for an ambitious expansion and enhancement of rail to complement and sustain our fast-growing local economy. That’s why it’s vital that we outline our priorities and ambitions for the future of rail development in Oxfordshire.’
Feedback can be submitted until October 1. The finalised plan is expected to be presented to the council’s cabinet for formal adoption later this year.
