EWR proposes underpass to replace level crossing

The new design for an underpass at London Road in Bicester shows a single-lane road for vehicles and a corridor for pedestrians and cyclists

An underpass to replace an Oxfordshire town centre level crossing is among the improvements proposed in a railway project.

Following a public consultation that received more than 6,200 responses, the underpass and an alternative footbridge have been proposed for the London Road crossing in Bicester as part of more than 80 design changes made to the East West Rail Project.

East West Railway Company (EWR) said the revised underpass design would be subject to securing third-party funding contributions.

But Paul Troop, from Bicester Bike Users' Group (BBUG), called the solutions "completely unworkable" and said "a small, modestly priced pedestrian and cycle underpass" was needed instead.

The London Road crossing in Bicester is set to permanently close on safety grounds when the East West Rail (EWR) line becomes fully operational.

The new designs show a single-lane road for vehicles, alongside a protected active travel corridor for pedestrians and cyclists, but the underpass could not be used by tall vehicles such as lorries.

EWR said an underpass was "the more popular of the two options".

It said the design was further developed to create a more direct route towards Market Square to the north, which itself is subject to a £5m scheme of regeneration.

EWR's plans include enhanced pick-up and drop-off facilities to the south of Bicester Village station.

The footbridge proposal includes lifts and stairs instead of ramps and is not expected to require third-party funding.

Support for the reopening of Cowley Branch Line, which has been closed to passengers since 1963, is also included in the changes.

'Shocking and disappointing'

The level crossing has been set to permanently close on safety grounds

Mr Troop said the solution of a pedestrian underpass "has been staring [EWR] in the face throughout this whole enterprise".

"They're proposing a stepped bridge - [it] would be three times higher than an underpass.

"It will be reliant on unsupervised lifts which will be immediately vandalised."

He said without ramps, there would be no backup for prams, wheelchairs and abnormally sized bikes.

Mr Troop said a pedestrian underpass "only has to be a very gentle slope down and gentle at the other side", with a "modest" price and design.

"They haven't developed that at all," Mr Troop said.

"It is shocking and disappointing."

Mr Troop said the company had claimed a pedestrian underpass would cost the same amount as a vehicle one, "which is obviously completely implausible".

"I think they're expecting the county council to step in and cover up for their incompetence."

EWR chief executive David Hughes said the updates "better reflect what matters most to people and will deliver better outcomes for passengers, local communities and the environment".

He said building a vehicle underpass was "clearly going to be a significantly more expensive piece of engineering".

He added the government was backing the changes but would like some help.

"They are prepared to look at this new option that we've developed in response to the feedback from residents but are looking to explore other sources of funding," he said.

Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller said there is now hope that the town will not be cut in two.

He said he feels frustrated and encouraged adding that "the government is listening but haven't yet acted".

"I want to say thank you to everybody who has put the time and effort into campaigning to keep alive the kind of underpass/crossing that we so desperately need to keep Bicester connected," he added.

Public engagement events on the latest proposals will take place in the new year.

Another consultation will follow up in the spring or summer.