Retention of valued Oxfordshire rail services welcomed

Oxfordshire County Council has welcomed a decision that two popular commuter train services connecting three of the biggest settlements in Oxfordshire and villages in-between are to remain on the timetable in December.

The 08:35 service from Banbury to Oxford (and on to Didcot and Reading) and the 17:34 service from Didcot to Banbury had been discussed as potentially being removed from the timetable as part of the changes that happen in December each year.

However, Great Western Railways has decided against removing them from the timetable, meaning that commuters from Banbury, Didcot and Oxford and places like Tackley and the Heyfords will still be able to use the services.

Cllr Judy Roberts Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy said: “GWR have listened very carefully to what local rail users have said and responded really well. Both of these services are very well patronised and link villages as well as towns. They’re exceptionally valued by the communities they serve and ideally timed for commuters.”

“We know that GWR are always happy to listen to feedback from their customers and the communities they serve and that this will remain the case looking in to the future as we look to improve our rail links for the benefit of everyone. We want to provide people with great transport options so that they are not wholly reliant on their cars and the railways are a key component of that.”

GWR Business Development Portfolio Director Tom Pierpoint said: “We’re grateful to local residents, businesses and Oxfordshire County Council for highlighting the importance of these services, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to find a solution that will retain them both in our December timetable. 

"We do sometimes have to make changes but it is clear that these services play a vital role for our communities in Tackley, Heyford, King’s Sutton and Banbury, and I’m really glad that we have been able to keep them in the timetable.”