Politics & Council · Oxford
Oxfordshire Council eyes £20m investment for major rail and station upgrades
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Oxfordshire County Council is set to vote on a £20 million funding package aimed at accelerating the OxRail 2040 plan for new stations and improved connectivity.
Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet is set to decide on a £20 million investment package later this month, a move designed to advance the long-term OxRail 2040 strategy. The funding aims to bolster regional connectivity through a series of infrastructure projects that would see significant changes to how residents travel across the county.
The cabinet, which is scheduled to meet on 20 October, will review proposals to allocate these funds towards several key areas. Central to the plan is the development of an Oxfordshire Metro, a vision which seeks to integrate rail, bus, walking and cycling services into a single, seamless network.
New stations and infrastructure
A core element of the proposed expenditure is the delivery of the Cowley Branch Line. This project includes plans for new stations at Oxford Cowley and Oxford Littlemore. The proposals extend further across the county, with plans for three additional stations at Begbroke, Ardley, and Wantage and Grove, intended to support future housing and business growth.
The council is also looking to address local traffic congestion at level crossings. The funding package includes provision for installing an underpass at London Road in Bicester, a project closely linked to the ongoing East West Rail initiative and the intended removal of the existing level crossing.
Oxford Station upgrades
Beyond new builds, the council plans to commit £1.5 million towards a wider £3 million scheme to upgrade Oxford Station. Following the recent completion of bridge and road layout improvements by Network Rail, this next phase focuses on the eastern concourse. The planned works aim to improve station safety, modernise facilities and increase capacity to accommodate rising passenger numbers.
Funding for the overarching £20 million programme is expected to be drawn from multiple streams, including developer contributions under section 106 agreements, enterprise zone grants and 'works in kind' funding from the East West Rail project.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport, noted the significance of the upcoming decision, stating that the move is helping to turn the council’s rail vision into a practical reality. The proposed investment follows an initial £1 million allocated in the 2025-26 budget, which was used to develop business cases for environmental and economic benefits and to improve active travel access at various local stations.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original