Cowley line to reopen

[Kingham West]

The proposed Bristol-Oxford hourly service could serve a reopened Grove station. Depending on interchange times, it could work for commuting to Cowley.

The county has commissioned a SOBC ( updated ) report for Wantage /Grove, from SLC RAIL.
Report soon, it like Cowley is part of the Science Corridor, so Cowley will clearly help the case , which is already over 3 CBR.
It is important the infrastructure, supports the Science corridor , on of the few growing parts of the UK economy.

 

[67018]

The county has commissioned a SOBC ( updated ) report for Wantage /Grove, from SLC RAIL.
Report soon, it like Cowley is part of the Science Corridor, so Cowley will clearly help the case , which is already over 3 CBR.
It is important the infrastructure, supports the Science corridor , on of the few growing parts of the UK economy.

A new station at Watage & Grove is envisaged for phase 2 (2131-2037) of the County Council's proposed strategic plan - which is being discussed here https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/oxrail-2040-plan-from-oxfordshire-county-council.291791/

 

[weeklycommuter]

The Government has clearly decided to concentrate investment on the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor. The Government has decided to continue funding England's Economic Heartland which covers Bedford, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Central Bedfordshire, Luton, Hertfordshire, Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Peterborough and Swindon.

This is the only non-statutory sub-national transport body in England that will continue to be funded. Funding for the other five (Midlands Connect, Peninsula Transport, Western Gateway, Transport East and Transport for the South East) will end in March 2027.

EEH spared to oversee growth corridor as DfT ends STB fundin

The future is in doubt for most of the seven non-statutory sub-national transport bodies (STBs) in England, after notification from the DfT that the funding it

www.transportxtra.com

EEH spared to oversee growth corridor as DfT ends STB funding
Peter Stonham 16 October 2025
The future is in doubt for most of the seven non-statutory sub-national transport bodies (STBs) in England, after notification from the DfT that the funding it provides will end in 18 months' time.
The DfT has, however, indicated a reprieve of its support to England’s Economic Heartland STB in the light of its significance in respect of supporting development of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor and the role that East West Rail plays in that.

 

[Cowley]

Thread reopened for @Edvid to update

 

[Edvid]

Thank you @Cowley, it's rather appropriate that you reopened this particular thread

Preliminary works on the branch have started according to the Oxford Clarion.

On-the-ground work has started on reopening the Cowley Branch Line to passenger trains. Preparatory work began on Monday and continues into mid-August, including site mobilisation, vegetation clearance, ground investigations and ecology surveys. Trains are expected to start running in 2029.

Network Rail says work will take place in phases over the coming months. The project will see two new stations built and the freight-only track brought up to passenger standards, plus capacity and junction improvements on the main line into Oxford station.

Oxfordshire County Council recently pledged a further £14.5m towards the reopening of the line, borrowed against business rates from the south of the county. The new Greater Oxford Council will be expected to repay this over the next 10 years using funds from developments close to the line.

Details on OCC's extra £14.5 million are provided within the Cabinet agenda for 14 July, titled 102/26 Cowley Branch Line - Enterprise Zone Funding.

Minutes:

Cabinet had before it a report recommending approval of up to £14.5m in local funding for the Cowley Branch Line project using retained business rates from Oxfordshire Enterprise Zones, with repayment expected from future S106 and CIL contributions, while acknowledging potential funding risks and deferring the choice of financing method to future councils amid Local Government Reform.

Councillor Laura Gordon, Cabinet Member for Environment and Econonomy presented the report. She stated that the funding would unlock substantial Government and private-sector investment and contribute to economic growth across Oxfordshire. She also acknowledged concerns about consultation arrangements and outlined proposals for an Enterprise Zone Advisory Board.

During discussion, members emphasised the strategic importance of the scheme for OxRail 2040, Oxford station capacity, Oxfordshire Metro ambitions and future rail projects, including Warren Grove/Wantage station aspirations.
Members generally supported the proposal while acknowledging stakeholder concerns.

Further discussion covered the following points:-

• benefits for deprived communities in East Oxford;
• countywide economic impacts;
• future governance arrangements for EZ funding;
• progress on active travel schemes and Science Vale projects;
• future recovery of costs from developer contributions and infrastructure funding streams;

Councillor Gordon moved and Councillor Epps seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

[Cabinet] RESOLVED to:-

a) Approve potential funding to meet up to £14.5m of local costs for the delivery of the Cowley Branch Line through the use of retained business rates funding from the two Oxfordshire Enterprise Zones as set out in paragraph 44 and subject to the provisions of paragraph 41.

b) Note that the expectation is that this forward funding would be replaced by future S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) contributions but neither the amounts nor timing are certain at this stage.

c) Note that any future shortfall in funding or additional borrowing costs beyond those set out in this paper would need a further decision on how to manage.

 

[Ridgeblog]

Interesting, I presume they want to open this line to relieve passenger numbers on other lines to provide them alternatives to travel to these locations?

 

[cle]

I believe the plan is for Chiltern services, and so it would likely have to be pathed 'wrong way' / bi-directionally through platform 3. And then onwards to Oxford Parkway. Whether there are test / shuttle / other plans prior, I'm not sure and that might be speculative (which I am avoiding being here)

Great to see such fast action here, it'll be done before p5/western station at this rate.

 

[Zomboid]

I believe the plan is for Chiltern services, and so it would likely have to be pathed 'wrong way' / bi-directionally through platform 3. And then onwards to Oxford Parkway. Whether there are test / shuttle / other plans prior, I'm not sure and that might be speculative (which I am avoiding being here)

Great to see such fast action here, it'll be done before p5/western station at this rate.

How will the Oxford - Cowley Branch be operated?

My guess is that northbound trains will use the reversible relief line to platform 3. Southbound would use the relief unless they need to pass a northbound between Oxford and the junction. At Oxford itself, P4 becomes the up main platform (or at least is used for up trains when P3 is needed...

www.railforums.co.uk

There we go, can speculate away in that one.

 

[officewalla]

Meanwhile the station most needed in Oxfordshire continues to stall ie Grove/Wantage. You couldn't make it up!

 

[Dr Day]

Meanwhile the station most needed in Oxfordshire continues to stall ie Grove/Wantage. You couldn't make it up!

Interested on the basis for this statement. There isn't much housing or that many jobs within walking catchment of the railway in the Grove area, whereas Cowley is very densely populated. Catchments for both potential stations already have indirect access to the railway via buses or driving to Didcot/Oxford.

 

[takno]

Interested on the basis for this statement. There isn't much housing or that many jobs within walking catchment of the railway in the Grove area, whereas Cowley is very densely populated. Catchments for both potential stations already have indirect access to the railway via buses or driving to Didcot/Oxford.

To be fair, the phrase "you couldn't make it up" is almost invariably used by people who just did

 

[JKF]

What are the odds of the car factory closing at some point and a massive housing scheme being built on the site? There must be huge value on that land, increased by the addition of a good rail link.

 

[The Planner]

What are the odds of the car factory closing at some point and a massive housing scheme being built on the site? There must be huge value on that land, increased by the addition of a good rail link.

More than half of it went in the early 2000s and is now just a bog standard business park.

 

[Zomboid]

It'll be interesting to see what effect will be on Blackbird Leys and Cowley. Neither are presently the most salubrious part of Oxford.

 

[The Planner]

It'll be interesting to see what effect will be on Blackbird Leys and Cowley. Neither are presently the most salubrious part of Oxford.

I still think most will still use the bus off peak.

 

[officewalla]

Interested on the basis for this statement. There isn't much housing or that many jobs within walking catchment of the railway in the Grove area, whereas Cowley is very densely populated. Catchments for both potential stations already have indirect access to the railway via buses or driving to Didcot/Oxford.

12000 houses most of whom will work outside of the area and travel to work on one of two single carriage roads. Bus connections flakey and take an hour at least to get to Oxford additionally no infra structure improvements. Cowley has multiple opportunities to travel and work within the 15 minute neighbourhood so loved by the idiots in charge. As usual city types consider themselves more important than the wider county population.

 

[vic-rijrode]

Meanwhile the station most needed in Oxfordshire continues to stall ie Grove/Wantage. You couldn't make it up!

Should never have shut the Tramway...

 

[MrToad]

A couple of other things to throw into the mix since this was all originally discussed in October 2025, which are causing a lot of debate locally.

Firstly, Oxford City Council have put in place some fairly draconian traffic schemes - probably the most draconian in the country - most residents will be limited to how many times they can drive from one part of the city to another part of the city using the city centre (about 2 days per week for those mostly inside the ring road, and once a fortnight for those outside) - instead they are expected to make most of their journey around the ring road. Something like this will need alternative and enhanced public transport, of which this should be part of the solution, and indeed the council have said trains will be one of the measures that will reduce the anticipated increase of traffic on the ring road.

The other issue is now Oxford United have planning permission, apart from a judicial review, for their new stadium, and this line would help with accessing the stadium from parts of the city where a lot of their support already is located, notwithstanding the issues above. Its only 23 days, mostly weekends and a few evenings.

 

[fandroid]

The other issue is now Oxford United have planning permission, apart from a judicial review, for their new stadium, and this line would help with accessing the stadium from parts of the city where a lot of their support already is located, notwithstanding the issues above. Its only 23 days, mostly weekends and a few evenings.

Opposition supporters would probably find a direct connection to/from Oxford Station to be very handy

 

[Zomboid]

Firstly, Oxford City Council have put in place some fairly draconian traffic schemes - probably the most draconian in the country - most residents will be limited to how many times they can drive from one part of the city to another part of the city using the city centre (about 2 days per week for those mostly inside the ring road, and once a fortnight for those outside) - instead they are expected to make most of their journey around the ring road.

You missed an important two words - "for free". There's no limit on how many days you can drive through the city centre, just after a certain number of occasions you'd have to pay for the privilege.

Cowley will probably help a bit with it, but the bus and P&R system in Oxford is actually really good. There's plenty of carrot to go with that stick.

 

[The Planner]

The other issue is now Oxford United have planning permission, apart from a judicial review, for their new stadium, and this line would help with accessing the stadium from parts of the city where a lot of their support already is located, notwithstanding the issues above. Its only 23 days, mostly weekends and a few evenings.

Google says the judicial review got refused. Likely more days if you factor in cup matches.

 

[Bald Rick]

Google says the judicial review got refused. Likely more days if you factor in cup matches.

Plus non-football events, which seems to be the modus operandi for new stadia.

 

[MrToad]

You missed an important two words - "for free". There's no limit on how many days you can drive through the city centre, just after a certain number of occasions you'd have to pay for the privilege.

Cowley will probably help a bit with it, but the bus and P&R system in Oxford is actually really good. There's plenty of carrot to go with that stick.

As I understand it, once you have used your 100 permits up for the year (25 if you are outside the city) then that is it - drive through and its a £70 fine reduced to £35 if paid promptly.

Unlike congestion charges, there is no option to pay as you go. It replaces the £5 congestion charge currently in place. The timing is all dependent on the Botley Road bridge eventually being reopened.

Although the council seem more keen to get people onto buses or bicycles, they do mention trains as part of the wider plan without being specific, so hopefully this has been used as a key part to this.

 

[Yindee8191]

As I understand it, once you have used your 100 permits up for the year (25 if you are outside the city) then that is it - drive through and its a £70 fine reduced to £35 if paid promptly.

Unlike congestion charges, there is no option to pay as you go. It replaces the £5 congestion charge currently in place. The timing is all dependent on the Botley Road bridge eventually being reopened.

Although the council seem more keen to get people onto buses or bicycles, they do mention trains as part of the wider plan without being specific, so hopefully this has been used as a key part to this.

Councils pretty much have to come up with their transport plans based on getting people on buses and bikes because it’s impossible to guarantee that a rail project will get built. Rail is totally at the mercy of the government/treasury/transport secretary’s whims.

 

[Man of Kent]

Firstly, Oxford City Council have put in place some fairly draconian traffic schemes - probably the most draconian in the country -

In the interests of accuracy, it is Oxfordshire County Council that is the highway and local transport authority, and which has implemented these schemes.

Great to see such fast action here, it'll be done before p5/western station at this rate.

Though if it is anything like East West Rail, the infrastructure might be in place, but Chiltern's staff will be refusing to operate driver only trains.

 

[800002]

Though if it is anything like East West Rail, the infrastructure might be in place, but Chiltern's staff will be refusing to operate driver only trains.

Why is it chiltern that have to operate it?
Who 'promised' direct trains to London. (Marylebone)?

 

[Ashley Hill]

Why is it chiltern that have to operate it?
Who 'promised' direct trains to London. (Marylebone)?

Indeed, GWR have a depot at Oxford! They already operate DOO services so as a new service could run as such. I say this even though I am anti DOO.
I can only think that Chiltern would run through to Cowley rather than terminate at Oxford.

 

[800002]

Indeed, GWR have a depot at Oxford! They already operate DOO services so as a new service could run as such. I say this even though I am anti DOO.

We all have our red lines.

I do struggle though, with the concept of Cowley to London, though somewhat heavily congested (possibly saturated) infrastructure.
Has Oxford officially been declared as 'Congested Infrastructure' yet?

 

[Ashley Hill]

I do struggle though, with the concept of Cowley to London, though somewhat heavily congested (possibly saturated) infrastructure.

It seems from another thread that Chiltern are learning Oxford-Milton Keynes so therefore seem to be the preferred operator on that line. Would extending the Marylebone services to Cowley, rather than terminating in the bay at Oxford make any more sense?

 

[Zomboid]

Chiltern (or that service group at least) makes sense because they have trains terminating at Oxford from the north end of the station, so they're the obvious pick to extend.

In some ways the MK trains make more sense than the Marylebone ones, but it's 6 and two threes, really.