Four new stations proposed in new rail strategy

The plan is for all of Oxfordshire's rail network and proposes four new stations

Views on the next 15 years of Oxfordshire's rail network are being sought as part of a public consultation.

Oxfordshire County Council is seeking feedback on new ideas for the county's network, which include four new stations.

It also explores upgrading rail lines, measures to decarbonise the rail system, and placing an upgraded Oxford Station "at the heart of the city's next phase of growth".

The public consultation is open until 1 October and the final version is expected to be presented to the council's cabinet for formal adoption in November.

The four new stations proposed are Oxford Littlemore, Oxford Cowley, Begbroke and Wantage & Grove.

The plan, called OxRail 2040: Plan for Rail, will also explore the feasibility of a fifth station at Ardley.

Among the projects highlighted as priorities are plans to reopen the Cowley Branch Line for passengers, which is currently only used by freight going to and from the BMW Mini Plant.

OxRail 2040 also proposes upgrades of all of the county's existing 23 railway stations, as well as the restoration of double track on the North Cotswold line to Hanborough.

Dave Richardson, from Railfuture Thames Valley, said his group was "very supportive" of the plans

Judy Roberts, cabinet member for place, environment and climate action, said rail passenger numbers were expected to increase over the next 15 years.

"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," she said.

Campaign group Railfuture has been working with the council on developing the plan and Thames Valley branch spokesman Dave Richardson said they were "very supportive".

"We have been pushing the case for reopening the Cowley branch to passenger trains for many years, and there now seems to be a broad political consensus that this is going to happen," he said.

"Ditto the opening of a new station at Wantage Grove Parkway, and proposed new stations at Begbroke and possibly Ardley will be a bonus supporting new housing developments."

Mr Richardson said Great Western was looking at battery electric trains, which had been a success in Wales and charged their batteries from overhead wires.

"Great Western told us that with a modest increase in electrification from Didcot to Culham, the new trains would have enough battery power to operate to Banbury or Moreton-in-Marsh and back," he added.

Railfuture said it would bring together local passenger groups for a meeting with the local authority later in the month.