Media centre

Monday 9 Feb 2015

Wolvercote residents invited to drop-in event about upgrades to the railway between Oxford and Bicester

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Wolvercote residents are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about the work in their area to upgrade the railway line between Oxford and Bicester.

The event will take place between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday 12 February at St. Peter’s Church meeting rooms on First Turn Road in Wolvercote. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the work being undertaken and to answer any questions.

The work forms part of the East West Rail scheme to introduce a new, direct route between Oxford and London Marylebone. To provide this direct route, an extra railway line is being built between Oxford and Bicester; a new chord line is being installed to link the Bicester to Oxford lines to the Chiltern Main Line and to London Marylebone; and First Turn bridge in Wolvercote is being rebuilt to create the additional space needed for the extra line between Oxford and Bicester to run underneath.

To enable Network Rail to complete the rebuilding of First Turn bridge, the bridge will be closed to vehicles from 15 February for approximately nine months. Throughout this time pedestrians and cyclists will still be able to cross the railway at this location via a temporary bridge.

Andy Milne, Network Rail’s senior programme manager, said: “The direct route to Marylebone will bring huge benefits to Oxfordshire, making journeys to London faster and more convenient for passengers.

“We know that this work, in particular the temporary closure of First Turn bridge, could inconvenience those who live and work in the area, which is why we’re holding this drop-in event. All residents are welcome and I’d urge anyone who wants to know more about our work, or has a question they’d like answered, to come along.”

The diversion route agreed with Oxfordshire County Council during the temporary closure of the bridge is as follows: Mere Road – Godstow Road – Wolvercote Roundabout – A4144 Woodstock Road.