The ever assiduous
Oxford Clarion has picked up a
new report 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.
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