Great Western Coffee Shop

The ever assiduous Oxford Clarion (https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sehe5pdc7ptfh5ayttdusqpp/post/3lijjasuqm22o) has picked up a new report (https://www.worcestershire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2025-02/The%20case%20for%20reinstating%20rail%20services%20-%20North%20Cotswold.pdf) from England's Economic Heartland and both Oxfordshire and Worcestershire County Councils.

It calls for redoubling between Wolvercot Junction and Hanborough, and between Evesham and Pershore. This would enable a 2tph service:

• 1tph Paddington, Reading, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton, Evesham, Worcs Parkway, Worcester SH, Droitwich, Kidderminster, Stourbridge
• 1tph Paddington, Reading, Oxford, Hanborough, Charlbury, Kingham, Moreton, Honeybourne, Evesham, Pershore, Worcs Parkway, Worcester SH, Worcester FS, Malvern Link, Great Malvern
• A further 2tph Didcot-Oxford-Hanborough
• Four daily extensions to/from Hereford

For this part of the line, that's a huge improvement on the North Cotswold Line Taskforce's previous proposal, which would have dropped the Charlbury and Kingham stops from the Kidderminster/Stourbridge service.

The report argues that an improved service will support housing growth particularly in the Worcester area and at Salt Cross (near Hanborough). Some interesting stats and graphs in the report - it's worth reading.

I'm still not convinced that Kidderminster and Stourbridge merit an hourly service, given that London journeys will be quicker via HS2 and that Chiltern's foray into Kidderminster/Stourbridge—Marylebone mostly carried fresh air. But if it's no longer at the expense of the stations that people actually use, knock yourself out I guess.

Report attached to this post. The CLPG has been involved with this.

Good to see an update on the original Taskforce proposal that was published at an unfortunate time with Covid about to hit.

Since then ridership is booming.  Worcestershire Parkway has developed into a big success story and to see places like Hanborough now comfortably above pre-pandemic levels means there is a growing need for something to be done.

Most of the London trains are now full by Oxford, especially the morning 5-car services.

Indeed - there were people standing in the vestibules on the 11.10ish departure from Charlbury yesterday. And if/when the proposed new towns at Worcestershire Parkway, Salt Cross, and (I think) near Pershore/Wyre Piddle go ahead, that will bring even more demand.

I hadn't realised there were Didcot Parkway to Hanborough services.

Presumably then, when Oxford Station is finally finished and electrified, there could well be a fairly good business case for extending electrification from Wolvercot Junction to Hanborough too - especially if the latter has been rebuilt to modern specs as part of the redoubling.

 That'll be a fairly major business case!

Electrification: Didcot - Oxford/Hanborough
Second Platform Hanborough
Dualling Wolvercot - Charlbury