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Cowley Branch Line

Enabling infrastructure

£50–150m – required by 2028

Not yet funded

The project

Reopening of passenger services on the branch line, with two new stations to Oxford’s South and East, 7 and 9 minutes from Oxford Station, with potential for direct services through to London Marylebone.

The opportunity

Offers a direct rail connection into Oxford West End from Oxford Business Park and Oxford Science Park, connecting existing communities and over 6,000 planned new homes. Also potential to create a parkway station, proposed to Oxford’s East, easing the ability for residents to commute to well-paid jobs, and supporting the levelling up of Oxford’s highly deprived neighbourhoods.

Progress

Network Rail are producing a Strategic Outline Business Case, and local partners are exploring the potential for a local funding contribution. We are seeking to fund the reopening, with an initial a one train an hour service to allow for this to happen sooner, followed up with a two-train an hour service when capacity at Oxford Station is increased.

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Oxford Station – eastern sideImproved rail networkElectric busCentral Oxfordshire Travel and Connectivity Schemes
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