Weston-on-the-Green Eco-Town Developers Rail Funding Pledge

[whole diary]

[Lee]

The developers pledge to invest massively in public transport, even offering to fund the long-awaited East-West Rail Link (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2188794.0.ecotown_plans_florencestyle_bridge_over_a34.php

"A key and indeed fundamental component of the scheme is the delivery of the East-West Link between Oxford and Milton Keynes, which will be funded by the developers and implemented as part of it.

"A new station will be built at Weston Otmoor.

"Up to five trains per hour in each direction (to Oxford in six minutes) will be provided.

"A chord line to Bicester will mean a one-hour journey time to London."

The eco-town would also have a continuously running tram system, with a free transport service into Oxford.

Keith Mitchell, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said because of the promise of infrastructure investment, the council would not be opposing the scheme out of hand. But he said he remained sceptical about whether it would "stack up financially"

A bridge over the A34, based on the world-famous Ponte Vecchio in Florence, is set to be the centrepiece of the eco-town.

[Lee]

Protesters led by the father of tennis star Tim Henman held a demonstration outside County Hall in Oxford to fight plans for a giant eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.2347679.0.ecotown_warriors_stage_protest.php

The campaign group is urging people to join a protest rally at Weston-on-the-Green on Sunday.

The county council's cabinet is due to decide whether to officially support or oppose the proposals.

Weston Front protesters are also planning to join other eco-town campaign groups for a demonstration outside the House of Commons on Monday, June 30.

[Lee]

Campaigners opposing plans to build an eco-town near Bicester took their protest to Parliament today (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2371627.0.dont_build_on_our_green_belt.php

Thousands of protesters held up banners and placards fighting plans for eco-towns around the country, including Weston Otmoor near Weston-on-the-Green.

Members of the Weston Front joined forces with other campaign groups to press their case to Housing Minister Caroline Flint.

Weston Otmoor is one of 15 eco-towns already on the Government's shortlist, which will be narrowed down to 10 in October.

Consultation on the schemes ends on July 18.

A number of high profile figures have added their support to protests against the schemes, with Midsomer Murders star John Nettles, Dame Judi Dench and author Jilly Cooper fighting the development of Middle Quinton, near Stratford-upon-Avon.

Apparently, the cost of the new railway, improvements to junction nine on the M40 and the trams hasnt been worked out yet....
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2369743.0.protesters_target_ecotown_open_day.php

[Lee]

A report to Cherwell District Council casts doubt on Parkridge's rail plans (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/7486089.stm

[Lee]

The government is to receive vastly differing views on the proposed eco-town near Weston-on-the-Green (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/3667460.Eco_town_job_plan__flawed_/