Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[swt_passenger]

I suspect you are right but fear we are at cross-purposes. I was commenting (hence the quote) on a post relating to Chiltern's service from Marylebone to Aylesbury service via Amersham.

Ah, sorry about that, I hadn't noticed the previous post had moved away from Bicester. But as you say the principle is the same, DfT jumped on Chiltern from a great height a few years back after there were question marks about service level commitments elsewhere. Weren't the dreaded 'franchise breach' procedures invoked?

 

[jimm]

No word from Chiltern yet, but services into Oxford station are apparently not going to start now until September next year, presumably due to year another delay in commissioning new signals at Oxford.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill let the cat out of the bag in the House of Commons on Friday:

Together with Chiltern Railways, we have invested over £320 million in east- west rail phase 1, and in September 2016, when the infrastructure works west of Oxford Parkway have been finished, services on this route will be extended into the centre of Oxford, where it will connect with the Great Western main line.

http://www.publications.parliament....151204/debtext/151204-0002.htm#15120444000903

 

[MarkRedon]

Dear Jimm

I hope that you will not mind that I have cross-linked to your post from the East-West Rail thread? See post #306 on thread http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=99892&page=21

 

[Oxfordblues]

I was intrigued this week to see several pallets loaded with bags of rock-salt on Platform 4 & 5 at Oxford Station. As I believe the two parcels vans were retained for the storage of this material I suspect that they might shortly be removed, allowing work to start on the new Chiltern platforms.

 

[Andyjs247]

I was intrigued this week to see several pallets loaded with bags of rock-salt on Platform 4 & 5 at Oxford Station. As I believe the two parcels vans were retained for the storage of this material I suspect that they might shortly be removed, allowing work to start on the new Chiltern platforms.

Yes the site will need to be cleared if Chiltern are to get on with their plans. I note also that the Frideswide Square works outside the station have now finished - removal of the parcels vans will be by road and I believe those roadworks was one reason transport had not been arranged sooner. Perhaps they are planning removal over the Christmas period?

 

[fflint]

Can any of the local correspondents give some information on how work is proceeding on the above and when is the line due to open?

Thanks in anticipation of news.

 

[cm39275]

Can any of the local correspondents give some information on how work is proceeding on the above and when is the line due to open?

Thanks in anticipation of news.

Aperentley station staff at Oxford station have been breifed that work for the new platforms is going to comence in febuary.

 

[jimm]

Some questions and answers exchanged by Obrag and Chiltern over various issues including this week's timetable change and the bus connections at Oxford Parkway

In particular, OBRAG objects strongly to the removal of the 09.02 service to Oxford from Islip and does not accept the justification given for not reinstating it – that the train is too long. It was not too long before. In any case, this is an operational difficulty unloaded onto customers.

The uncertainty over platform until minutes before a train arrives is totally unacceptable as it forces passengers to cross the platform bridge, and quickly, without aid of a lift.

The replacement bus should stop outside the station, and not at the P&R stop. Also, services have NOT been as well timed to train arrival as was promised, adding delay.

http://www.obrag.org.uk

And aligning with the minister's remarks in the House of Commons the other day about a September start to Chiltern services, Network Rail's Great Western modernisation page says there will be a blockade from Oxford to Didcot from July 23-August 7 inclusive next year. It only talks about work to raise the trackbed to solve flooding at Hinksey but this shutdown would presumably give a window to do resignalling work as well and Chiltern would then have time in August to train its drivers on the reopened section from Parkway into the centre of Oxford ready for a September start of operations.

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/great-western-route-modernisation/oxford/

 

[The Planner]

That is likely to be a resource issue and probably a technical one, Banbury gets done at the same time I believe so trying to re-signal two boxes that fringe each other at the same time is probably going to cause some issues but stand to be corrected.

 

[jimm]

That is likely to be a resource issue and probably a technical one, Banbury gets done at the same time I believe so trying to re-signal two boxes that fringe each other at the same time is probably going to cause some issues but stand to be corrected.

That may well be the case but the Oxford resignalling work has been shunted back so often that there doesn't seem to be any other time to do it now if Chiltern really is to start services into Oxford station next September. Banbury is a Siemens project and Oxford is SSL, so at least you're not relying on one contractor to do both jobs.

 

[Nippy]

I'm pretty sure that Oxford isn't being done next summer.

 

[davetheguard]

I'm pretty sure that Oxford isn't being done next summer.

If that's the case, and Chiltern are to meet the date for re-opening Oxford Parkway to Oxford, should Network Rail go back to "Plan A" and relay a independent single line on the old LNWR solum, with new signalling controlled from Marylebone?

No need to cut into the ageing Oxford panel equipment. Perhaps even without any physical connection between the Bicester line and the rest of the network at Oxford at all, but only as a short term measure.

 

[jimm]

If that's the case, and Chiltern are to meet the date for re-opening Oxford Parkway to Oxford, should Network Rail go back to "Plan A" and relay a independent single line on the old LNWR solum, with new signalling controlled from Marylebone?

No need to cut into the ageing Oxford panel equipment. Perhaps even without any physical connection between the Bicester line and the rest of the network at Oxford at all, but only as a short term measure.

I think Mendip Rail and the MoD might have an opinion about being condemned to route their trains round via the Chiltern Line to Bicester and Water Eaton for several years. And it won't be a positive one, never mind all the money Network Rail would no doubt have to shove in their direction by way of compensation. And not having the extended loop to Wolvercote would presumably pose a problem for pathing 750m container trains.

It still seems pretty odd, if trains can't run into Oxford from the south or the north - except off the Cotswold Line - for an extended period (does anyone know how long Banbury will be blockaded?), not to take the opportunity to carry out the work at Oxford, though given the state of things at Network Rail I suppose we shouldn't be surprised by anything these days.

 

[The Planner]

If that's the case, and Chiltern are to meet the date for re-opening Oxford Parkway to Oxford, should Network Rail go back to "Plan A" and relay a independent single line on the old LNWR solum, with new signalling controlled from Marylebone?

No need to cut into the ageing Oxford panel equipment. Perhaps even without any physical connection between the Bicester line and the rest of the network at Oxford at all, but only as a short term measure.

Not going to happen.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

(does anyone know how long Banbury will be blockaded?),

Aligns with the Hinksey work I believe and will be a week at least as you cannot finish it without knocking down Banbury South and putting the new alignment in.

 

[davetheguard]

The Planner: "not going to happen". thanks for the information which is useful to know, if slightly terse response to my suggestion of "should Network Rail go back to Plan A".

However, note my use of the subjunctive; "SHOULD?" (not WILL).

I agree with jimm that the freight companies would not be very happy, but my personal opinion is that getting the railway re-opened as passenger railway through to Oxford as soon as possible is the most important. Rather that than delaying the whole thing by months or years while Network Rail struggles to pull all the different strands of Oxford aspirations and needs together; and then finds once again that there is national shortage of signalling technicians to actually do the job.

 

[jimm]

An update on rail ticket validity on the 500 bus in Oxford from Obrag:

Some people had communicated the refusal of some drivers to allow rail passengers to board the 500 in the city centre. The Oxford Bus Company had also told one person in writing that boarding with a rail ticket was allowed only at a rail station.

The Chiltern Head of Train Planning has just confirmed that OBC will now allow people with rail tickets to board (or alight from) the bus in Oxford City Centre. This follows a meeting between CR and OBC.

Let’s hope that OBC is telling drivers the same story!

http://www.obrag.org.uk/640/bus-replacement-service-in-oxford-500/

 

[route:oxford]

Not worth starting a new thread for this, but it looks like a new station at Oxford Science Park is increasingly likely following Magdalen College's plans to build 4000 new homes nearby in a new "Garden Neighbourhood" suburb of Oxford and increase the office accommodation at the Science park by 40%

 

[Andyjs247]

An update on rail ticket validity on the 500 bus in Oxford from Obrag:

http://www.obrag.org.uk/640/bus-replacement-service-in-oxford-500/

There has been some inconsistency and confusion in the policy regarding use of rail tickets on the 500 bus between Oxford city centre and Oxford Parkway. Alighting from the bus at any of the stops in the city has not been a problem but boarding the bus with a rail ticket anywhere other than Oxford or Oxford Parkway stations could be an issue, depending on the bus driver's interpretation it seemed.

On my most recent trip from Bicester to Oxford on Saturday we caught the train to Oxford Parkway then the 500 bus as far as George Street in the city centre. We returned from Magdalen Street in the centre without any problem (didn't particularly fancy a walk down to the station in the rain just to come back again if it could be avoided). Nice to see Chiltern Railways actually listening to feedback.

Our outward trip was a 165+172 pairing then returning on a single 165 - my daughter noticed the lack of tables and Wi-Fi compared with the usual 168s! Quite a few 165s about and punctuality suffering as a result too it seems - we were 5 late into OXP and the return was 7 late into MYB according to RTT, both having left on time.

The Oxford Mail also reported on the ticketing issue today.

COMMUTER complaints have prompted changes to the ticketing policy for train passengers going between the city centre and Oxford Parkway station by bus.

Oxford Bus Company’s 500 park-and-ride service bus had been adopted as a rail replacement service, which was supposed to be included in train tickets between the two stations.

When the station first opened in October, those with rail season tickets travelling to the new station at Water Eaton were being allowed to board any city centre stops.

But those with non-season train tickets were only being allowed to board the bus with their train ticket at Oxford Rail station.

Unlike season ticket holders, if they got on at other stops in the city centre – including George Street, Magdalen Street and Keble Road – they were being charged the full park-and-ride fare of £2.60.

Commuter David Budden, who travels from Bicester each day to get to work at Oxford University Press in Great Clarendon Street, switched to cycling from the station to avoid the hassle.

Although coming into work he could get off at the stop nearest his offices heading back home he would have to walk to Oxford rail station to get the bus to Parkway.

He said before the switch: “Several passengers who have been stopped by the drivers and advised that they can’t use their tickets from that stop. There should be no reason why passengers can not get the 500 service from any of its designated stops along the route.

“Some people work three days a week, so a weekly or monthly ticket is not cost-effective, and I also know of people who work from home or shift patterns, meaning that some days a peak ticket is required and others off-peak, so they buy a daily return. This confusion over which tickets are accepted and which ones are not is ridiculous. Whoever negotiated this with Oxford Bus Company does not live in the real world.”

The system has now been changed so that all commuters travelling from the city to Oxford Parkway, whether or not they hold a season ticket, can board the 500 bus from all over the city.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/14179257.Chiltern_Railways_takes_ticket_complaints_on_board/

 

[168lover]

There has been some inconsistency and confusion in the policy regarding use of rail tickets on the 500 bus between Oxford city centre and Oxford Parkway. Alighting from the bus at any of the stops in the city has not been a problem but boarding the bus with a rail ticket anywhere other than Oxford or Oxford Parkway stations could be an issue, depending on the bus driver's interpretation it seemed.

On my most recent trip from Bicester to Oxford on Saturday we caught the train to Oxford Parkway then the 500 bus as far as George Street in the city centre. We returned from Magdalen Street in the centre without any problem (didn't particularly fancy a walk down to the station in the rain just to come back again if it could be avoided). Nice to see Chiltern Railways actually listening to feedback.

Our outward trip was a 165+172 pairing then returning on a single 165 - my daughter noticed the lack of tables and Wi-Fi compared with the usual 168s! Quite a few 165s about and punctuality suffering as a result too it seems - we were 5 late into OXP and the return was 7 late into MYB according to RTT, both having left on time.

The Oxford Mail also reported on the ticketing issue today.



http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/14179257.Chiltern_Railways_takes_ticket_complaints_on_board/

The reason there are 165s running to and from Oxford Parkway is because Chiltern have at least 2 168s out of service after they hit a tree last month.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Not worth starting a new thread for this, but it looks like a new station at Oxford Science Park is increasingly likely following Magdalen College's plans to build 4000 new homes nearby in a new "Garden Neighbourhood" suburb of Oxford and increase the office accommodation at the Science park by 40%

Can you expand on this, or is it a joke I'm missing something for?

EDIT: Just looked it up, and realised you probably meant Oxford Business Park, not Science Park? Funnily enough, I was thinking this the other day!

 

[swt_passenger]

Can you expand on this, or is it a joke I'm missing something for?

Chiltern have proposed running through Oxford to a new station on the Cowley branch. They ran a test train to a potential station site (made from scaffolding) in late 2104, as reported at the time by rail.co.uk:

http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2014/new-stations-planned-for-oxford/

 

[TheKnightWho]

Chiltern have proposed running through Oxford to a new station on the Cowley branch. They ran a test train to a potential station site (made from scaffolding) in late 2104, as reported at the time by rail.co.uk:

http://www.rail.co.uk/rail-news/2014/new-stations-planned-for-oxford/

Excellent - it's time we had proper rail to south Oxford. It's just a shame they aren't planning to run through to Princes Risborough again, which would shave a good 10 minutes or so off the current journey to Marylebone. Much of the old trackbed is still there.

 

[The Planner]

Been done to death and will never happen, even Chiltern themselves dropped the idea.

 

[route:oxford]

Can you expand on this, or is it a joke I'm missing something for?

EDIT: Just looked it up, and realised you probably meant Oxford Business Park, not Science Park? Funnily enough, I was thinking this the other day!

Nope, I meant Oxford Science Park. The Oxford Business Park is further along the line closer to BMW.

www.oxfordsp.com

There's only around 2500 people working there at the moment, although there is a considerable peak flow when events are on at the adjacent Kassam Stadium. Around 6000 work at the business park, 4000 at BMW and a further 2000 or so between other businesses nearby.

 

[hwl]

Nope, I meant Oxford Science Park. The Oxford Business Park is further along the line closer to BMW.

www.oxfordsp.com

There's only around 2500 people working there at the moment, although there is a considerable peak flow when events are on at the adjacent Kassam Stadium. Around 6000 work at the business park, 4000 at BMW and a further 2000 or so between other businesses nearby.

Magdalen own the Science Park and surrounding land but not the business park so if it is them it is the science park...

 

[RPM]

The reason there are 165s running to and from Oxford Parkway is because Chiltern have at least 2 168s out of service after they hit a tree last month.

That's correct. 168113 (3 car) and 168325 (2 car) are both out of service following tree damage, the former being the more severely damaged unit. Sadly, although class 168/1 and class 168/3 units can run together, it is not possible to make up a hybrid unit with vehicles from both types. Had this been possible then Chiltern would only be short of 2 vehicles rather than 5.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Nope, I meant Oxford Science Park. The Oxford Business Park is further along the line closer to BMW.

www.oxfordsp.com

There's only around 2500 people working there at the moment, although there is a considerable peak flow when events are on at the adjacent Kassam Stadium. Around 6000 work at the business park, 4000 at BMW and a further 2000 or so between other businesses nearby.

Fair enough.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Magdalen own the Science Park and surrounding land but not the business park so if it is them it is the science park...

Enough money to fund all this, but apparently not enough for their students.

*grumble grumble*

 

[alexx]

Oxford Parkway to Oxford opening is now delayed until December - Monday 12th to be precise:

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/14...ebone_trains_delayed_to_December/?ref=mr&lp=5

Trains from Oxford station to London Marylebone are not expected to run until December following delays to the project.

Chiltern Railways had initially expected to complete the Oxford to Oxford Parkway section of the line by Spring 2016.

The rail operator said time taken for planning consents, construction, testing of the infrastructure and training of drivers had put the date back.

(You can read the lovely canned quotes from Chiltern's MD on the article, or their press release is here (along with a quote from NR): http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/n...ord-city-centre-london-marylebone-launch-date)

 

[The Planner]

Start of the December timetable.

 

[cle]

What are they doing at Oxford - still those ex-Mail bays at the north end?

Do the proposed works and rebuild for Oxford station have any impact on investing there?