19.10.12
London-Oxford line approved
A new rail link between London and Oxford has finally been approved. The £130m scheme will run from Marylebone station and link to the line between Bicester and Oxford.
The project will involve 10 miles of dilapidated track being upgraded, and two new stations will be built – one replacement at Bicester and one in north Oxford at Water Eaton.
The route will open up a route to High Wycombe that has been closed since the 1960s. When first complete, it will become the first new rail link between London and a major city in 100 years.
Oxford station would see two new platforms, and Islip station will also be rebuilt. The project will allow trains to run at up to 100mph on double tracks.
The projected Oxford-London journey time on the new route is 66 minutes. The only option currently between Oxford and London is to go via Reading into Paddington, which takes around 55 minutes on a direct service – but the extra capacity will be be a huge benefit for passengers.
The new link will also cut Oxford-Bicester journey times, from 25 minutes to 14.
Chiltern Railways is building and funding the scheme, and will provide two services an hour once the line is open in 2015. Work is expected to start next year.
Graham Cross, business development director of Chiltern Railways, said: “We are pleased to have been granted the power to proceed with this significant railway investment, which will benefit thousands of commuters and businesses in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
“The Oxford to London link is the latest in a long line of innovative Chiltern-led projects to upgrade the rail infrastructure, fuelled by our understanding of rail’s potential to make a significant contribution to economic growth and prosperity.”
Hugh Jaeger, spokesman for Thames Valley branch of Rail Future, told the Oxford Mail: “Rail Future warmly welcomes Oxford having a second route to London because this increases capacity between Oxford and London and also increases resilience. It means if there are ever problems on one London route Oxford still has another rail link.
“This will save thousands of passengers the grief of trying to get into Oxford and getting stuck in Botley Road. Bringing on the Evergreen 3 scheme also raises pressure for Oxford to have a better railway station.”
The new line will help to alleviate congestion on the roads and is part of the planned East West rail project.
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