Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[najaB]

If only there was a platform at Littlemore or at Garsington Road by the abandoned dogging stadium.

I knew it was a spectator sport, but this is getting ridiculous!

 

[Mordac]

Well you noticed it and so did I. Judging by the straight quotes from others, I wonder if some of us have an 'autoread' function.

It may be that, unlike some of the others, I don't know the area and so have no idea what he actually meant, so the only thing I can picture, is well...

 

[Andyjs247]

Another update by the Oxford Mail here suggests there will be a further blockade in Spring 2018 similar to the 2-week block we just had in August. There's also some interesting photos on the Oxford Mail's website

SIGNALLING and track improvements will begin around Oxford station later this month mirroring a similar set of work which cost British Rail £1m in 1975.

Phase One of the Oxford Corridor Works programme to upgrade the lines and the signalling around the station will make trains through to Didcot and Reading more reliable as well as cater for the incoming fleet of electric trains.

A shot of the view from Oxford station looking north taken by an Oxford Mail photographer more than 40 years ago shows the old manned signal box alongside the track and the nine signals atop of the over-arching frame.

...

Later this month work to once again upgrade the signalling and tracks along the very same line will get underway.

While work is likely to take place at weekends Network Rail bosses told the Oxford Mail there would be a "blockade" of the network - similar to the two-week closures seen last month – in Spring 2018, to carry out some of the improvements.

Further up the track towards the station new buildings have been lifted in by crane alongside two new platforms which were created to increase capacity.

 

[julianblack]

I always thought that the MAS scheme for Oxford was implemented in 1973 not 1975.

 

[highdyke]

The late 1960s to mid-1970s in stages, September 68 being one of the first stages

http://www.signallingnotices.org.uk/scans/35/1968 - LXO 102 Oxford Stage 1.pdf

http://www.signallingnotices.org.uk/notices.php?search=Oxford

 

[jimm]

The new temporary staff building at Oxford station, seen with the ground floor in position in one of the Oxford Mail pictures, now has both storeys placed and all windows and doors fitted. Was awaiting exterior cladding when I saw it yesterday. Installation of the interiors and equipment yet to start.

 

[swt_passenger]

The new temporary staff building at Oxford station, seen with the ground floor in position in one of the Oxford Mail pictures, now has both storeys placed and all windows and doors fitted. Was awaiting exterior cladding when I saw it yesterday. Installation of the interiors and equipment yet to start.

Should go fairly quickly however, as these sort of relocatable buildings usually come with much of the interior (such as insulation and linings) already in place don't they?

 

[jimm]

Should go fairly quickly however, as these sort of relocatable buildings usually come with much of the interior (such as insulation and linings) already in place don't they?

All that kind of stuff is indeed there - as I said, the basic structure is all there now, just needs the cladding, but no sign of any interior fittings at the moment from what I could see through the windows.

 

[midlandred]

The Bicester Advertiser is reporting today that the county council have put forward a bid for funding from the government for a tunnel under the railway at London Road to replace the level crossing - they consider it the only viable option
Funding bids have been sent in by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, who are also bidding for funding for a dualled road bridge over the line at Charbridge Lane

 

[Buttsy]

Another update by the Oxford Mail here suggests there will be a further blockade in Spring 2018 similar to the 2-week block we just had in August. There's also some interesting photos on the Oxford Mail's website

My source in Network Rail indicated to me today that there is likely to be another blockade for 9 days next summer as well as the one noted above.

 

[The Planner]

Rumoured that the 2018 block may get canned.

 

[Kite159]

The Bicester Advertiser is reporting today that the county council have put forward a bid for funding from the government for a tunnel under the railway at London Road to replace the level crossing - they consider it the only viable option
Funding bids have been sent in by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, who are also bidding for funding for a dualled road bridge over the line at Charbridge Lane

Makes sense, doing an Ely/Manningtree style solution where the main road dives underneath the tracks via a tunnel with large vehicles having to use the level crossing if they can not fit through the tunnel

 

[fgwrich]

Makes sense, doing an Ely/Manningtree style solution where the main road dives underneath the tracks via a tunnel with large vehicles having to use the level crossing if they can not fit through the tunnel

Would you be able to fit both a subway and a level crossing into the place though? I suspect large vehicles will take a diversionary route in the future, with only vehicles of a certain heigh being able to use the tunnel / dive under - IE cars, vans and single deck buses, possibly double deck depending on how deep they take it.

 

[Andyjs247]

Makes sense, doing an Ely/Manningtree style solution where the main road dives underneath the tracks via a tunnel with large vehicles having to use the level crossing if they can not fit through the tunnel

An Ely/Manningtree solution is not possible here. I believe what is being proposed is a tunnel for road traffic on the existing alignment together with a bridge over for pedestrians. Not going to be cheap.

 

[edwin_m]

Is a vehicle crossing really necessary here, given the alternative route available round the bypass?

 

[swt_passenger]

Is a vehicle crossing really necessary here, given the alternative route available round the bypass?

Yes. The perceived requirement is analysed in the Chiltern TWA Order paperwork. Various options for bridges were described as future options - I linked to it ages ago when someone suggested it hadn't been thought about, and it has been discussed on separate occasions since.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2302255&postcount=1202

 

[alexx]

Chiltern press release came out yesterday afternoon marking the 100 day countdown, around the same time I started seeing ads on Facebook for the very same. Doesn't say anything beyond we already know, but pasted below if you're interested.

https://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/countdown-has-started-100-days-go

Chiltern Railways and Network Rail have reached a major milestone towards the final completion of the new rail link between Oxford and London, the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over a century. From September 3, there are just 100 days to go until 12 December 2016 when Chiltern Railways will run the first commuter train from Oxford city centre directly to London Marylebone via Oxford Parkway.

The landmark achievement will increase the transport options for Oxfordshire residents to access London and provides easy commuting into Oxford from the growing town Bicester and vice versa. This extension of the Chiltern Railways service from the successful new station, Oxford Parkway is keenly awaited and will be welcomed by daily commuters and leisure customers alike.

Passengers at Oxford will have a choice of fast Chiltern Railways trains throughout the day from Oxford station to London Marylebone with journey times from around an hour. The vast majority of the trains during the day will be geared to business and leisure travellers providing free Wi-Fi, power sockets and spacious seating.

Dave Penney, Managing Director at Chiltern Railways said: “With just 100 days to go, we’re starting the official countdown to the launch of Chiltern Railways services from Oxford city centre on 12 December. Not only will the competition of the route deliver significant social, economic and environmental benefits for those living and working along the route, it will support growth of the visitor economy bringing more tourists to the city to experience everything Oxford has to offer."

Martin Frobisher, Managing Director of Network Rail's London North Western route, said: "This important landmark in our nationwide Railway Upgrade Plan will offer a great new travel option not just for business and leisure passengers in Oxford going to London but also for those in London heading to Oxford. It will bring economic benefits to the Oxford region and with it new opportunities for people living there."

 

[Doctor Fegg]

the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over a century

Poor old Canterbury.

 

[route:oxford]

Poor old Canterbury.

Canterbury East - Opened 1860
Canterbury West - Opened 1846

Was that the last British City to have a new rail link to London?

 

[steamybrian]

Canterbury East - Opened 1860
Canterbury West - Opened 1846

Was that the last British City to have a new rail link to London?

Try.. Canterbury to St. Pancras via HS1

 

[TheKnightWho]

Try.. Canterbury to St. Pancras via HS1

I do wonder if the people that write this sort of thing seem to think the railways ceased to do anything after about 1900. The Borders railway PR team made similarly silly claims if I remember correctly.

 

[stut]

Bradford Interchange and Wakefield Kirkgate to London in 2010?

 

[CyrusWuff]

Try.. Canterbury to St. Pancras via HS1

Technically a new service on existing lines, given CTRL Phase 2 opened in November 2007 but Southeastern didn't start High Speed services until December 2009.

Granted the only totally new piece of railway involved with Evergreen 3 Phase 2 is the Bicester South West Chord...all 52 chains of it...but Chiltern think that's sufficient to qualify.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Technically a new service on existing lines, given CTRL Phase 2 opened in November 2007 but Southeastern didn't start High Speed services until December 2009.

Granted the only totally new piece of railway involved with Evergreen 3 Phase 2 is the Bicester South West Chord...all 52 chains of it...but Chiltern think that's sufficient to qualify.

But that's been operating since last year. The only thing that's new in December is that it's being run as a joined-up route.

 

[Andyjs247]

But that's been operating since last year. The only thing that's new in December is that it's being run as a joined-up route.

Oxford Parkway is not in Oxford though. So it is correct that the city is being linked for the first time via this route in December.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And the previous last city to be linked to London by new rail infrastructure would have been Birmingham or Chester in 1910. The section of line between Ashendon Junction and Aynho Junction via Bicester North opened to passengers on 1st July 1910. So the 100 years is correct, but not so impressive considering the Bicester SW chord is a small extension to the same Bicester cut-off route from Ashendon Jn opened 106 years ago.

 

[edwin_m]

Oxford Parkway is not in Oxford though. So it is correct that the city is being linked for the first time via this route in December.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And the previous last city to be linked to London by new rail infrastructure would have been Birmingham or Chester in 1910. The section of line between Ashendon Junction and Aynho Junction via Bicester North opened to passengers on 1st July 1910. So the 100 years is correct, but not so impressive considering the Bicester SW chord is a small extension to the same Bicester cut-off route from Ashendon Jn opened 106 years ago.

If any of these qualifies as a new link between London and another city then why doesn't Canterbury via HS1 and Ashford? All of them are new services using a section of route opened not long previously, and in the case of Birmingham and Canterbury the new service actually inaugurated the new route (I presume, or at least ran from very soon after inauguration). The Oxford service will only inaugurate a section of route being reopened after a temporary closure for re-building.

 

[TheKnightWho]

Oxford Parkway is not in Oxford though. So it is correct that the city is being linked for the first time via this route in December.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And the previous last city to be linked to London by new rail infrastructure would have been Birmingham or Chester in 1910. The section of line between Ashendon Junction and Aynho Junction via Bicester North opened to passengers on 1st July 1910. So the 100 years is correct, but not so impressive considering the Bicester SW chord is a small extension to the same Bicester cut-off route from Ashendon Jn opened 106 years ago.

I agree it's a new link, but then by that logic you can say the same for Canterbury! All that will be new is the routing, as all of the bits of railway (including the chord) have been in use already.

 

[Andyjs247]

I agree with the logic above. However I expect Chiltern will say that Canterbury doesn't qualify because it's not a major British city and the service via HS1 did not begin until after international services.

Through services to Oxford will now use existing infrastructure but only because opening of the route has been done in stages. It was intended to open in one go; so the original claim is basically correct. Having promoted it previously as the first link in 100 years, completion of 2nd stage of that link in 2016 hardly seems important. I'll leave others to argue whether Oxford qualifies as a major city though.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Canterbury has a proper cathedral, Oxford has a glorified college chapel. I'm going with Canterbury on this one.

 

[midlandred]

The Bicester Advertiser is reporting today that the county council have put forward a bid for funding from the government for a tunnel under the railway at London Road to replace the level crossing - they consider it the only viable option
Funding bids have been sent in by Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, who are also bidding for funding for a dualled road bridge over the line at Charbridge Lane

The article is now online