Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[Cherry_Picker]

So much of Bicester has built up around North station over the years that even relocating that to the new junction seems pointless for the time being. Maybe there might be an argument to build a station where the line splits one day but that day is decades away yet.

 

[HowardGWR]

So much of Bicester has built up around North station over the years that even relocating that to the new junction seems pointless for the time being. Maybe there might be an argument to build a station where the line splits one day but that day is decades away yet.

Indeed I am afraid I dashed off my post before realising that the available changes are available elsewhere, already. It's just you see two lines cross and think 'squirrel'.

 

[Andyjs247]

An interchange station where the two lines cross wouldn't offer any new journey opportunities compared with changing in say Oxford. I believe it was considered at some point but had been rejected.

The main problem with building a station there is not so much the distance from the town centre per se but access (particularly now that the site is built up on three sides).

For example, the main facilities such as buildings and car parks would have to go south of the East West line. Recent developments on Launton Road (the road running roughly parallel to the line) ie the Wickes and Aldi stores plus new housing, make access to the railway difficult.

At one time I believe it was to planned for Gavray Drive to link up with Launton Road when it was built in about the 1980s. Even without the new developments it is difficult to see how or where you would put in a road bridge - in days gone by you might have got away with a level crossing but now that would be out of the question.

Suffice it to say a bridge didn't get built and thus it's a lengthy trek by road to get from the south side of the railway at that location to the town. The two existing stations are already well located; a single interchange station would create more problems than it solved.

By the way the first bit of double track is now in place at the London Road level crossing which reopened yesterday. The platform at the Town station has now been demolished and the stockpile of ballast seems to have grown. Things look to be progressing more rapidly now.

 

[davetheguard]

An interchange station where the two lines cross wouldn't offer any new journey opportunities compared with changing in say Oxford. I believe it was considered at some point but had been rejected.

The main problem with building a station there is not so much the distance from the town centre per se but access (particularly now that the site is built up on three sides).

For example, the main facilities such as buildings and car parks would have to go south of the East West line. Recent developments on Launton Road (the road running roughly parallel to the line) ie the Wickes and Aldi stores plus new housing, make access to the railway difficult.

At one time I believe it was to planned for Gavray Drive to link up with Launton Road when it was built in about the 1980s. Even without the new developments it is difficult to see how or where you would put in a road bridge - in days gone by you might have got away with a level crossing but now that would be out of the question.

Suffice it to say a bridge didn't get built and thus it's a lengthy trek by road to get from the south side of the railway at that location to the town. The two existing stations are already well located; a single interchange station would create more problems than it solved.

By the way the first bit of double track is now in place at the London Road level crossing which reopened yesterday. The platform at the Town station has now been demolished and the stockpile of ballast seems to have grown. Things look to be progressing more rapidly now.

Thanks for the update on things at Bicester Town.

By the way, do you know if Grayline coach & bus company are still occupying the area behind the (now demolished) platform, or have they been moved their premises out to another location?

 

[MK Tom]

Some pictures of the new level crossing are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60790501@N04/

It's very obvious looking at satellite pictures what Gavray Drive was designed with in mind.

 

[Tobbes]

Some pictures of the new level crossing are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/60790501@N04/

Thanks for the link - very good. What is it about rail reinstatements that just brings a warm smile? Wonderful, can't wait to use it.

 

[Andyjs247]

Thanks for the update on things at Bicester Town.

By the way, do you know if Grayline coach & bus company are still occupying the area behind the (now demolished) platform, or have they been moved their premises out to another location?

Yes Grayline are still there. They (and some of the other local business owners) are getting a bit anxious though as they haven't yet received compulsory purchase orders according to this article.

 

[CyrusWuff]

Yes Grayline are still there. They (and some of the other local business owners) are getting a bit anxious though as they haven't yet received compulsory purchase orders according to this article.

I'm no expert, but I would have thought that it's in Network Rail's/Chiltern's interests to do as much work as possible within the existing boundary so as to minimise disruption to the businesses in question, rather than serve CPOs "early" and then do no work on site for a year or whatever.

 

[jimm]

I'm no expert, but I would have thought that it's in Network Rail's/Chiltern's interests to do as much work as possible within the existing boundary so as to minimise disruption to the businesses in question, rather than serve CPOs "early" and then do no work on site for a year or whatever.

It may be in Chiltern's interest, but not surprisingly the business owners would like to get on with sorting out their own futures, and I can't blame them for that, given how long they have already been waiting for this project to start.

 

[jimm]

Artist's impressions of the new Parkway station have been released.

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/11...xford_Parkway_railway_station_will_look_like/

 

[MK Tom]

Not sure whose idea the swimming pool look was with this and Bicester Town. Looks terrible IMO.

I also think Oxford Parkway is a ootentially confusing name, and I'm very surprised they haven't made any reference to the station's proximity to Kidlington.

 

[RPM]

Certainly, of the two of them, I prefer the look of Bicester Town. This one is a little bit, well, ordinary.

There's very little on the frontage to suggest that it actually is a railway station, although I suppose it will get the obligatory NR totems that will do the job.

 

[The Planner]

Kidlington won't mean as much, Oxford in the name is a bigger draw.

 

[billio]

Kidlington won't mean as much, Oxford in the name is a bigger draw.

Kidlington seems to lose out all the time, even Richard Branson decided he didn't want to be seen living there.

I expect we will see : Oxford Parkway, change here for London Oxford Airport !.

 

[swt_passenger]

Water Eaton Parkway was the original name (as used in the TWA application).

Maybe they'll also alter the name of the main Oxford station. Oxford Central perhaps?

 

[gordonthemoron]

Oxford Morse?

 

[Buttsy]

Water Eaton Parkway was the original name (as used in the TWA application).

Maybe they'll also alter the name of the main Oxford station. Oxford Central perhaps?

Should go back to its old name of Oxford General, Oxford Central would be a bit of a misnomer as it isn't that close to the centre of town.

 

[The Planner]

It shouldn't change at all, there is no need to and it would be a waste of money. Considering the tediousness of the Birmingham International saga and the more recent Northampton Castle idea it is just solutions finding problems again.

 

[RobLawrence]

Work well under way to replace the pedestrian level crossing with an accessible footbridge. The New Langford housing estate is to the right (West) of this shot which looks up the line - beyond the crane takes you to the chord itself.

From the same vantage point (Tubbs Lane Crossing) this time looking down the line towards London Road level crossing. The vegetation has been substantially cut back and track bed replenished.

From the London Road level crossing looking back up towards Tubbs Lane.

And finally, from the London Road level crossing looking down to the old Bicester Town station platform and (ultimately!) Islip and Oxford Parkway. Keen-eyed viewers will spot the former platform indicator and the Greyline Coaches parked in the vicinity of the station car park.

 

[MK Tom]

Excellent update, many thanks.

 

[jimm]

The website about what work is going on has been given a makeover now and is being regularly updated.

http://www.bicestertooxfordcollaboration.com/

Looks like track will soon be reappearing on that section through Bicester, as from mid-May access to Banbury Road stone sidings will be from that direction to allow work on the formation from Water Eaton to Oxford to start. Also has a picture of the new stone sidings area being prepared to make room for the station.

 

[twoag]

Not the best quality but passing the site of the chord this week.

http://youtu.be/rPrN6jQq_-k

 

[Andyjs247]

Here are some more photos taken on Monday evening showing the new accessible footbridge at Tubbs Crossing. It looks largely complete now apart for some work needed at the north side alongside Garth Park. It is quite an impressive structure (although I suspect some residents may be less impressed by the scale of it)!

Underneath the footbridge the first turnouts for Gavray Junction at the west end of the Bicester chord can be glimpsed. See also the next image.

More pointwork has arrived by road and is awaiting final delivery to site!

The next view is looking west towards Bicester town station. Note the lengths of welded rail ready to be installed.

Lastly the view from London Road crossing looking east towards Garth Park and Tubbs crossing. Freight trains will resume running here in two weeks time.

 

[The Planner]

Judging by the height of the guard rails and enclosure of the bridge, I take it the good people of Bicester are not to be trusted there!!

 

[NSEFAN]

Is it a problem with throwing things at the trains, or is it to do with stopping people from jumping onto the (future) overhead wires?

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Probably the latter. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a regulation that new structures have to adhere to. That ramp looks like it will take forever to walk up too!

 

[gingerheid]

It would feel very intimidating to walk through all those ramps at night!

 

[MK Tom]

A footbridge with ramps that long should also have steps in addition, so people who don't need a ramp don't have to spend half an hour crossing it!

 

[jopsuk]

I may be wrong, but it looks on the right hand side of the photo like there may be steps there?

The ramp has to have a shallow gradient with regular flat bits to actually make it practical for people in unpowered wheelchairs to use it unaided. I'm assuming no one here wants to stop such people crossing the railway?

 

[Andyjs247]

I may be wrong, but it looks on the right hand side of the photo like there may be steps there?

The ramp has to have a shallow gradient with regular flat bits to actually make it practical for people in unpowered wheelchairs to use it unaided. I'm assuming no one here wants to stop such people crossing the railway?

The previous foot crossing is very busy and ramped access is definitely required.
Yes there will be steps also. Don't think they are in place yet though. To the south (RH) side the steps would be hidden from where the photo was taken. I have seen the plans but I can't remember whether the steps run from the top level or from part way down IYSWIM.

Previously the crossing itself was not lit but I imagine the new one will be.