Wycombe-to-Oxford rail link to go ahead after failed High Court bid

It means south Bucks residents will be able to travel directly to Oxford from High Wycombe for the first time since 1964.

Oxford resident Sean Feeney lost his legal challenge against the Department for Transport (DfT) over its decision to approve Chiltern Railways’ Evergreen 3 project.

He argued the DfT had not followed the correct process in awarding permission to the operator – but his case was rejected.

Chiltern Railways director Graham Cross said: “We welcome the High Court decision confirming Chiltern Railways has the necessary powers to build a new rail route between Oxford and London Marylebone.

“Through this project, we will open the first new rail link between two major cities for 100 years with the line expected to deliver significant economic benefits for those living and working along the route.

“In addition, by re-establishing the long lost rail link between High Wycombe and Oxford, those living in the south Buckinghamshire region will have greater opportunities for both work and leisure.”

Construction will begin in the summer and the new service is hoped to be up and running by Spring 2016. Chiltern Railways says it expects to run two trains an hour between the two cities, most stopping at Wycombe.

As part of the work, new lines will be installed and existing track upgraded.

A new station will be built in Water Eaton, which will be a 'multi-modal interchange' - linking trains, buses, cars and bikes to enable passengers to avoid the congestion of central Oxford.

Bicester Town station, near the Bicester Village shopping centre, and Islip station will also be redeveloped.

A DfT spokesman said: "The court's judgment shows the department's handling of the case and the way in which we arrived at our decision were correct.

"It confirms that the department took sufficient steps to assess the impact of the scheme on Oxford Meadows before deciding to make the TWA [Transport & Works Act] Order."