Re-opening the Cowley branch to passenger traffic

[whole diary]

[eightonedee]

On this evening's BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) local news on TV, there's a piece about this. Apparently they hope to do this in three years, presumably because the track is still there and in use for the Mini factory.

Presumably though there will need to be new stations built - I assume all the old ones have long since been removed. Best of luck with that - see posts on the Green Park Reading thread! I also assume that it would be operated by GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway), so they would have to source the additional rolling stock.

I guess this may be repeated after the 10 o'clock BBC News if anyone wants to try to catch it.

[ChrisB]

Who is "they"? Network Rail, the councils, someone else?

Yes, two new stations - apparently Oxford South & Oxford East.

Chiltern is likely the operator, running through Oxford to Cowley rather than using the bay platforms. Whenever Hanborough becomes a P&R^▸ (Park and Ride) station, those shuttles *may* also run down there too.

[eightonedee]

Sorry - it seems to be the County Council.

[eightonedee]

....and now doing my research on-line, I see that the City council is also supporting it, both authorities have pledged funding.

[ChrisB]

No news there then, they have both already done that....the line needs upgrading & NR^» (Network Rail - home page) need to place that in the CP7 funding bid next. That may be why it's now been picked up by the media.

[infoman]

eightonedee,thank you for the link.

I presume this was on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) South/Oxford news,as I did not see it on BBC points west.

Its a shame some posters have to resort to snotty comments insteading of having a look at the TV item first.

[ChrisB]

I had taken a look at the piece. There was nothing new & had been regurgitated as the Councils have started on thye business case for the stations that they wish to contribute to. Funding is still required from Network Rail as I suggested.

[Electric train]

I had taken a look at the piece. There was nothing new & had been regurgitated as the Councils have started on thye business case for the stations that they wish to contribute to. Funding is still required from Network Rail as I suggested.

Network Rail can only secure DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) funding based on Local Authority funding and or commercial funding, NR^» (Network Rail - home page) funding from DfT would only be for enablers and project management

[ChrisB]

They'll be looking closely at the business case & probably off to OXLEP for funding too

[Hal]

https://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/23290281.councillors-greenlight-cowley-branch-line-4-5m-business-case-plan/

The city council has approved expenditure on a full business case for the reopening.

[grahame]

https://www.thisisoxfordshire.co.uk/news/23290281.councillors-greenlight-cowley-branch-line-4-5m-business-case-plan/

The city council has approved expenditure on a full business case for the reopening.

From the Oxford Mail

Oxford Cowley Branch Line drop-in event for residents

There will be a drop-in event between 4pm and 6pm at the Jungle Art Gallery, Templars Square shopping centre, Cowley on Wednesday, July 10.

Organisers would like to hear the public’s views on the proposed passenger train services from the proposed stations at Littlemore and Cowley to Oxford city centre.

A statement on Oxford City Council’s website said: “The new rail stations would connect significant employment sites and residential areas to the city centre in less than 10 minutes, with the possibility of direct connections to Oxford Parkway, Bicester and beyond.

[ChrisB]

"10 minutes to City centre" - my foot!
The rail station is at least 10mins itself from the city centre (walking) & it will be quicker to get on a bus if that's where you are going. Great though if, like an airline, you are connecting to somewhere further away & far quicker than the bus to the rail station is currently.