Residents react to branch line proposal

Thee proposal envisions a passenger service from new stations at Littlemore and Blackbird Leys

The restoration of an east Oxford railway line would "transform public transport for local communities", according to Oxford City Council.

A consultation carried out by the local authority last November reported "overwhelming support" for the proposal.

But for some people who live in Littlemore and Blackbird Leys - where two new stations are planned - ticket prices could determine whether or not they use it.

Some also questioned whether it would be more convenient for travel into Oxford when a bus service and e-scooter hire already exists.

Eve Moses said ticket prices would need to be low for Blackbird Leys residents to use the new service

At the Communi-tea Cafe in Blackbird Leys, Eve Moses, who works at the local GP surgery, said the cost would be of paramount importance to residents.

"It might benefit some, but [others] might not use it depending on the price of the fare," she said.

"I know some of the locals don't agree with it... how often do people go into London from this area?"

Gary Roper, who lives on Pegasus Road, said the new line would be a "good idea" and would use it to get to Bicester.

"People can get about more [easily]" he said. "But it would need to be a reasonable price to make people go on them."

Gary Roper said the line would enable people to be less "secluded" in Blackbird Leys

In Littlemore, Anna Barker's garden backs onto the railway line, metres from where one of the the new stations is planned.

"I don't travel into London very often so I don't imagine I'd use it loads," she said. "I don't think it's really for this community. It's mainly for the science park."

Anna Barker said she might use the line to occasionally travel into London but not into Oxford

A few doors down, Alex John agrees that the bus service is more than enough for Littlemore residents to get into Oxford city centre.

"Not that many people here are working in London," he said. "It's local people doing local work".

"I just don't see myself using the train line to be honest... but if I'm going into London? Maybe."

The Campaign for Cowley Branch Line is led by ARC Oxford, the Ellison Institute of Technology and The Oxford Science Park.

Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council said the line was essential to unlocking "sustainable growth" for the city.

"This will ease road congestion, support Oxford's net-zero ambitions, and speed up the delivery of around 6,000 planned homes within 1.5km of the stations," she added.

She said the council had recently submitted its business case to the Department for Transport and was keeping completion dates "under review".

Alex George said he couldn't see himself using the restored Cowley Branch Line