Wycombe-Oxford rail link approved

1:38pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Andy Carswell

Trains could run from High Wycombe to Oxford from 2015 Trains could run from High Wycombe to Oxford from 2015

HIGH Wycombe will be linked to Oxford by rail for the first time in decades after plans for a new line were given the go-ahead today.

Chiltern Railways has been given the green light to build a new line at Bicester, which would connect Oxford with London.

This will enable Bucks residents to travel directly to Oxford for the first time since 1964, on the first new railway line to be built from the capital to a major city in 100 years.

Graham Cross, Business Development Director of Chiltern Railways said: "We are pleased to have been granted the power to proceed with this significant railway investment, which will benefit thousands of commuters and businesses in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. 

"The Oxford to London link is the latest in a long line of innovative Chiltern-led projects to upgrade the rail infrastructure, fuelled by our understanding of rail’s potential to make a significant contribution to economic growth and prosperity."

It is hoped services will be able to run from London to Oxford from 2015 at the conclusion of a £130m project.

As part of the scheme Chiltern Railways will build new stations in Bicester and in north Oxford.  The new parkway station in north Oxford will be located at Water Eaton and will be a multi-modal interchange, linking trains, buses, cars and bikes allowing passengers to avoid the congestion of central Oxford. 

Bicester Town station will also be redeveloped providing a first-class gateway to the town next to the popular Bicester Village fashion outlet centre. 

Concerns over the impact on wildlife delayed confirmation of the plans being given the green light.

Comments (8)

6:06pm Thu 18 Oct 12

fishyfingerz says...

according to ivors blog last week, you can already travel directly to oxford from Wycombe
according to ivors blog last week, you can already travel directly to oxford from Wycombe fishyfingerz

7:12pm Thu 18 Oct 12

JohnHenRailfuture says...

This is great news for East West Rail project (Oxford - Bicester - Bedford) too. The Chiltern upgrade between Oxford and Bicester will also give the higher speed and train slots needed for Oxford - Bedford trains. The EWR project got the green light from the govt in July and is due to complete in 2017. Find out more and support the extension to Cambridge at www.railfuture.org.u
k/ox-cam
This is great news for East West Rail project (Oxford - Bicester - Bedford) too. The Chiltern upgrade between Oxford and Bicester will also give the higher speed and train slots needed for Oxford - Bedford trains. The EWR project got the green light from the govt in July and is due to complete in 2017. Find out more and support the extension to Cambridge at www.railfuture.org.u k/ox-cam JohnHenRailfuture

9:30pm Thu 18 Oct 12

gpn01 says...

Oxford is already linked to London. In fact I'm writing this on an Oxford bound train!
Oxford is already linked to London. In fact I'm writing this on an Oxford bound train! gpn01

12:53am Fri 19 Oct 12

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

I wish they'd had it years ago and the coach service is rubbish too now - last coach from Oxford in the early evening - you've got to drive.
I wish they'd had it years ago and the coach service is rubbish too now - last coach from Oxford in the early evening - you've got to drive. ImpeturbableLawrence

12:55am Fri 19 Oct 12

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

fishyfingerz wrote:
according to ivors blog last week, you can already travel directly to oxford from Wycombe
If you start believing the blog of ivor then you will go mad.

Alcohol and narcotics are far more enjoyable ways of damaging your brain.
[quote][p][bold]fishyfingerz[/bold] wrote: according to ivors blog last week, you can already travel directly to oxford from Wycombe[/p][/quote]If you start believing the blog of ivor then you will go mad. Alcohol and narcotics are far more enjoyable ways of damaging your brain. ImpeturbableLawrence

9:47am Fri 19 Oct 12

King Joke says...

Oxford may already be linked to Londond by rail, but the service is rubbish. While it may be punctual and relatively quick, the trains First Great Western use on it are basic and cramped. In the peaks the service is also approaching capacity.

THe Chiltern service will presumably be operated by the 168s it uses on London-Birmingham trains which are configured as proper inter-city trains, with seats around tables next to windows. It will take slightly longer (70 min to Marylebone vice 55 to Paddington) but Marylebone is 5 min closer to the West End so you get some of that time back if you're heading that way.
Oxford may already be linked to Londond by rail, but the service is rubbish. While it may be punctual and relatively quick, the trains First Great Western use on it are basic and cramped. In the peaks the service is also approaching capacity. THe Chiltern service will presumably be operated by the 168s it uses on London-Birmingham trains which are configured as proper inter-city trains, with seats around tables next to windows. It will take slightly longer (70 min to Marylebone vice 55 to Paddington) but Marylebone is 5 min closer to the West End so you get some of that time back if you're heading that way. King Joke

3:22pm Fri 19 Oct 12

washondo says...

Hello! Is there anyone out there?
~
"First new railway line .... from the city".
~
It's not.
~
There may be a projected "new" line from Bicester to Oxford?
~
HW to Oxford 30 miles.
HW to Oxford via Bicester 48.5 miles.
~
Change trains?
~
Explain economics?
~
Or get the HS2 to Birmingham and come back to Oxford .........?
~
Screens nurse!
Hello! Is there anyone out there? ~ "First new railway line .... from the city". ~ It's not. ~ There may be a projected "new" line from Bicester to Oxford? ~ HW to Oxford 30 miles. HW to Oxford via Bicester 48.5 miles. ~ Change trains? ~ Explain economics? ~ Or get the HS2 to Birmingham and come back to Oxford .........? ~ Screens nurse! washondo

8:26pm Fri 19 Oct 12

ImpeturbableLawrence says...

washondo wrote:
Hello! Is there anyone out there?
~
"First new railway line .... from the city".
~
It's not.
~
There may be a projected "new" line from Bicester to Oxford?
~
HW to Oxford 30 miles.
HW to Oxford via Bicester 48.5 miles.
~
Change trains?
~
Explain economics?
~
Or get the HS2 to Birmingham and come back to Oxford .........?
~
Screens nurse!
Where does the figure 'HW to Oxford 30 miles' come from?
[quote][p][bold]washondo[/bold] wrote: Hello! Is there anyone out there? ~ "First new railway line .... from the city". ~ It's not. ~ There may be a projected "new" line from Bicester to Oxford? ~ HW to Oxford 30 miles. HW to Oxford via Bicester 48.5 miles. ~ Change trains? ~ Explain economics? ~ Or get the HS2 to Birmingham and come back to Oxford .........? ~ Screens nurse![/p][/quote]Where does the figure 'HW to Oxford 30 miles' come from? ImpeturbableLawrence

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