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^▸ (The next High Speed line(s)) 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.

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.

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.