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The case for reinstating Oxford-Swindon-Bath‑Bristol rail services

Quick, affordable and transformational change for the UK economy and transport system

At a glance:

There is a quick, affordable and simple opportunity to reinstate direct rail services between Oxford and Swindon, Bath and Bristol.

Building on the current – highly popular – trial service on Saturdays the new service would provide an all day, every day hourly service.

Journey times between Oxford and Bristol would be a less than an hour and a quarter, and between Oxford and Swindon just over half an hour.

New daily, hourly services will better connect high-performing, knowledge‑intensive sectors and universities at the heart of the Government’s new industrial strategy, together with some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations.

The scheme would add help maximise the value of investments elsewhere, most notably East West Rail (making it possible, as early as 2026, to travel between Bristol and Milton Keynes with only one change) and MetroWest.

This opportunity does not require capital investment
– the necessary infrastructure is already there. Instead, it requires commitment to fund the operational costs of the new service (ie, train crew, fuel, network access costs, and rolling stock lease cost).

Our ask to government: To specify the service in future timetables and commit to fund its additional operational costs (with the expectation that the service is likely to generate more revenue than it will cost).