Have your say on the future of rail in Oxfordshire
Residents, businesses and visitors are being asked for their views on Oxfordshire’s rail priorities for the next 15 years.
Oxfordshire County Council is seeking feedback on its emerging new plan OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail, which encompasses the whole rail network across the county.
People can read a summary of the plan and have their say on the council’s Let’s Talk Oxfordshire website at https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/railplan by midnight on 1 October.
Councillor Judy Roberts Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “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.
“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.
“I would urge anyone with an interest in shaping the future of transport to take part in the consultation and tell us what matters to them.”
Issues explored by the plan include upgrading rail lines, increasing passenger services, and supporting freight routes to remove HGVs from our roads. Additionally, the plan sets out measures to reduce rail related noise and pollution and to decarbonise the rail system through the electrification of more routes and the procurement of substantial new rolling stock fleets.
There is also a focus on developing an Oxfordshire Metro. This concept aims to improve and increase journeys by bus, train and other modes by co-ordinating timetables, simplifying tickets and using apps for payments and journey information to make them seamless.
The plan also wants Oxford Station, currently undergoing redevelopment, to be at the heart of the city’s next phase of growth. It has ambitions for the station to be a catalyst for new homes, employment opportunities and public services, while strengthening connections to Oxford’s universities, hospitals and innovation clusters.
Having an approved rail plan is expected to help ensure the county is well placed to unlock funding opportunities for travel and growth when they arise.
The continued development of East West Rail and plans to reopen the Cowley Branch Line are among the priority projects highlighted. Furthermore, the plan proposes upgrades of all of the county’s existing 23 railway stations, to open five new stations, and calls for the restoration of double track on the North Cotswold line to Hanborough.
Cllr Roberts added: “Growth in the local economy and in people choosing alternatives to road transport are such that rail passenger numbers in the county are expected to increase greatly over the next 15 years. Improved facilities are essential.”
The requirement to develop and adopt a new rail strategy is set out in the council’s local transport and connectivity plan.
The finalised plan is expected to be presented to the council’s cabinet for formal adoption later this year.
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