Reopening projects that might have to wait for other projects

[Andyjs247]

A report in yesterday's Oxford Mail suggests that the £130M Oxford - Bicester - Marylebone link will be delayed because of looking to combine works with the East-West rail; as mentioned by the OP. The bats in Wolvercot tunnel are apparently no longer a problem as a solution has been found - DfT, Chiltern Railways and Natural England have been in discussion about a ground-breaking lighting system to warn bats of approaching trains!

However, the newspaper article goes on to suggest that works at Oxford Station i.e. new platforms, could be combined with electrification of the route from Oxford - Didcot - Reading - Paddington as well.

I thought that one of reasons Chiltern were keen to progress Oxford - Marylebone now was to provide an alternative direct London service which would be available before possible disruption due to electrification?

 

[cle]

I also thought the Oxford platforms would operate effectively as a self-contained station - with little track crossings to the mainline.

I don't see how electrification would affect the EG3 works, seeing as Oxford is where it will end northbound, but perhaps they'll do the platforms so stock can use them and for the sidings, general flexibility etc...

Surely rushing the Marylebone service would be a great way to build it up - as an alternative while the Paddington route is down due to wiring or Reading/Crossrail works. The Marylebone passengers might never return!

I wish they could build an island platform like Cambridge to provide more space. Even the little new bay was ditched.

 

[OliverS]

I also thought the Oxford platforms would operate effectively as a self-contained station - with little track crossings to the mainline.

They will be totally isolated from the mainline. At the cost of being single track until Wolvercote or thereabouts. A worthwhile exchange in my mind.

I don't see how electrification would affect the EG3 works, seeing as Oxford is where it will end northbound, but perhaps they'll do the platforms so stock can use them and for the sidings, general flexibility etc...

Surely rushing the Marylebone service would be a great way to build it up - as an alternative while the Paddington route is down due to wiring or Reading/Crossrail works. The Marylebone passengers might never return!

The objection is probably due to cost. If you have to do two sets of work (EG3 & electrification) to Oxford station it is almost certainly cheaper to do it in one go. However lowest cost does not necessarily mean best value for money because, as you say, having the route to Marylebone during the electrification work may be of greater value than the additional cost of doing so.

I wish they could build an island platform like Cambridge to provide more space. Even the little new bay was ditched.

For Oxford Mainline station? Sort of move the current platforms further out and put an island between the through lines? It would be nice, but I doubt there is room or money.

 

[cle]

Yep - either that or demolish the current northbound platform, and move that line over, creating an island and leaving one through line.

 

[Andyjs247]

They will be totally isolated from the mainline. At the cost of being single track until Wolvercote or thereabouts. A worthwhile exchange in my mind.

Yes, as well as it being isolated from the mainline AFAIK it is set to be a totally self-contained operation, even down to the signalling being controlled from Marylebone. Having now read through the detailed plans there would be a new junction south of Wolvercot Tunnel (at Woodstock Road) from where the new single line runs alongside the main line to the new platforms at Oxford. Only a single line is planned for this last section as they want to retain some space for contractors vehicles and plant etc to access.

Initially it will be in parallel with the existing single line until that line diverges towards Oxford North Junction - the link would only be used by trains going beyond Oxford or requiring access to the through platforms as at present.

I think there's not really any reason why this work needs to be linked to electrification, other than perhaps to minimise the overall time that works planned in Oxford will take. Being a self-contained operation, disruption to current services ought to be limited anyway. Better to have the new Marylebone service running first before electrification IMO.

 

[OliverS]

Yep - either that or demolish the current northbound platform, and move that line over, creating an island and leaving one through line.

That might be more feasible. But I notice that Oxford CC are talking about a two island station here. Mainly because once Reading is finished then Oxford is next on the GW list...

 

[The Planner]

As long as they don't resurrect the farcical Oxpens idea again. The two island station isn't technically "new", the existing platforms would become islands with tracks either side.

 

[swt_passenger]

I thought that one of reasons Chiltern were keen to progress Oxford - Marylebone now was to provide an alternative direct London service which would be available before possible disruption due to electrification?

In the original Evergreen 3 proposals they were hoping to be able to provide an alternative route while Reading Station was being rebuilt, but the timescales for that will no longer overlap, as all the new platforms will probably be in use before Bicester - Oxford is complete. Likewise the western grade separation should be built off line with minimal alterations to services, other than the odd long weekend at public holidays. The Marylebone route will be useful but hardly what you would call essential, as FGW could still run via Basingstoke and Banbury as at Christams 2010.

Electrification wasn't even on the horizon at the time EG3 was first proposed, but disruption caused by it should be minimal anyway, that's the whole point of the high output plant.

What is odd about the Oxford station proposals by the County Council though, is that NR seem to be pouring cold water on the idea of twin island platforms all of a sudden, despite them being shown clearly in a drawing in last year's GWML RUS...

 

[tripleseis]

What was wrong with the Oxpens station?

Whatever happens, something should to be done with the bridge over Botley Road. Serious bottleneck.