Network Rail partners with Chiltern to deliver new Oxford-London line

Network Rail and Chiltern Railways have formed a new partnership to oversee the construction and development of a new railway line between Oxford and London.

The team will manage work to upgrade a section of line between Oxford and Bicester, as well as the construction of a new 1km stretch of railway connecting Bicester with the Chiltern Main Line.

As well as the new line to London Marylebone station, the upgraded section of track will form part of the East West Rail project – a scheme which seeks to provide better rail connections between the east and west of England by upgrading and replacing sections of track between Oxford and Bedford.

Chiltern Railways has predicted that the first services along the new Oxford-London line will begin in 2015.

Karl Budge, route delivery director from Network Rail said: “These are exciting times for rail users and the investment being made between Oxford, Bicester and Bedford will make a huge difference to local people and the local economy.

“It makes sense to deliver what were originally separate schemes in a collaborative way.

“This collaboration will allow fast train services to operate between Oxford and London Marylebone and will move Network Rail closer to reinstating the railway line through to Bedford and Milton Keynes via Bletchley.”




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