Oxford

EWR would connect to most of the north-south main lines making it easier to reach the rest of the UK from Oxford. With better connections to UK airports, overseas destinations would also be more accessible. 

Faster, regular and more affordable local train services through Bicester, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Bedford and across the region would mean easier everyday journeys by rail rather than car.  

More trains with better connections would result in less reliance on car travel, reducing traffic and congestion while improving air quality in the area.

East West Rail would connect people with friends and family across the region with a new service from Oxford to Cambridge via the communities in between. With better links to the rest of the UK through interchanges with East Coast, Midland, and West Coast Main Line services, it will be easier to reach loved ones a little further afield, too.​ 

East West Rail would make it easier for more people to live and work in the area, which means Oxford city centre will rely less on tourism, students and commuters. Independents and a range of businesses would be more likely to thrive. Planned improvements to the city centre and the railway together would be a catalyst for increased prosperity for all.

What work is required in the Oxford area?

Work is already underway at Oxford station by Network Rail to improve capacity, accessibility and the overall passenger experience. These upgrades will also help accommodate the increase in passengers expected from East West Rail (EWR). However, further work will be required to enable the full EWR service.

 

To support efficient and reliable operations, we are also working with the wider rail industry on additional measures, including potential stabling options in the Oxford area and a new northbound passing loop near Kennington to support freight and passenger movements. We are continuing to assess whether further track work is needed between Oxford station and Oxford North Junction to provide sufficient capacity for EWR services.

Why are we proposing this work?

We previously consulted Oxford communities on proposals to add new platforms, deliver new infrastructure south of the station, and make improvements within the station itself. A new platform and entrance on the western side of the station are already being delivered as part of Network Rail’s Oxford Corridor Phase 2 scheme. Network Rail is also proposing to reopen the Cowley Branch Line for passenger services, which would allow trains to terminate and turn back south of Oxford station and free up extra capacity for future EWR services.

 

The rebuilt section of the line between Bicester and Bletchley was completed by the East West Rail Alliance and handed over to Network Rail in December 2024 and is now part of the national network.

Chiltern Railways was announced as the operator of the line in March 2025 and is working closely with the Department of Transport to finalise these arrangements and start services as soon as possible.

We’re currently consulting on what work is required at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village stations to serve the additional passengers resulting from the new EWR services. One of the main considerations is how to improve access to both stations via more sustainable forms of transport as this would affect any need for the expansion of the existing parking at these stations. You can see our latest proposals as part of our 2026 Consultation.