Rail line resurrection 'economically viable' - study

Passenger trains ran between Oxford and Witney until 1962

A rail link from Oxford to the west of the county would be "economically viable", a study commissioned by a local authority has suggested.

The study, sanctioned by West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC), investigated the potential benefits of reinstating a rail link between Carterton, Witney, Eynsham and Oxford.

It found that the rail scheme could "offer high value for money when wider benefits to the economy, environment and public health are included".

The government previously said there were "significant challenges" with the project, particularly around cost - reported to be about £600m.

Councillor Hugo Ashton, WODC's planning chief, said the study had shown that a rail connection "wouldn't just improve how people travel; it could transform how we grow as a district".

"It makes a strong case for including rail as part of a long-term, joined-up plan and also shows that it is economically viable," he said.

"From unlocking new housing to boosting access to jobs, essential services, education, and reducing congestion and carbon emissions, the benefits would be wide-reaching and underline why sustainable transport must be at the heart of our plans for the future."

Witney MP Charlie Maynard previously voiced his support for the scheme

The study found the proposed new railway line could help reduce congestion on the A40 - which is the main route for drivers travelling to and from the city.

It said the new line could also support population growth and help west Oxfordshire progress towards its net zero carbon targets.

It added that the benefits were estimated to be "more than double the cost of the scheme".

Witney's Liberal Democrat MP, Charlie Maynard, previously told a Westminster debate that the proposed line could cut journey times by up to 70%.

Trains ran between Oxford and Witney until 1962, when the line was shut as part of a swathe of closures across the country.

Since then, various suggestions to ease traffic on the A40 and make travel between the two easier- including plans for a guided transit expressway proposed more than two decades ago - have fallen by the wayside.