Better links to Oxford vital for town’s future
MAKING the A420 a dual carriageway for its entire length between Swindon and Oxford and creating a direct rail link to the university city are key elements in Swindon’s future prosperity, according to council leader David Renard.
And it seems bosses at Oxfordshire councils feel the same
Cllr Renard was speaking to members of Swindon Borough Council’s Growing the Economy overview and scrutiny committee, and told the committee the council was part of a study looking at the Swindon to Oxford corridor as part of the England’s Economic Heartland lobbying group of councils.
He said: “Dualling the A420 all the way to Oxford is a key objective of the council and we are working to seek agreement of Oxfordshire County Council and the relevant district councils.”
In further discussion with Cllr Russell Holland who chairs the committee, Cllr Renard said he also wanted to see a direct rail link between Swindon and Oxford instead of being routed through Didcot.”
Such a rail link would not only mean a better line for Swindon to Oxford, but would also put Cheltenham and Gloucester, Bristol and South Wales in direct connection with Oxford.
That would hook up two major economic development areas, England’s Economic Heartland, which is a swathe of southern England north of London running west from Cambridge, and the Western Gateway which stretches from Wiltshire into Wales as far as Swansea.
Swindon would be at the heart of such a joined up development area.
Cllr Holland agreed that a direct rail line to Oxford would be particularly good thing.
While it is not in the council’s gift to get the road between the town and the university city widened, it seems the neighbouring Oxfordshire County Council is not against the idea.
A spokesman said: “A critical area of interest for Oxfordshire County Council is the connectivity needs between Oxford and Swindon, including the future of the A420 corridor and improving rail connectivity.
“Oxfordshire County Council is committed to working with England’s Economic Heartland and
Swindon on a review of future connectivity needs between Oxford and Swindon, including the future of the A420 corridor.”
While the county council takes the lead on highways in Oxfordshire, the A420 runs through the Vale of the White Horse district and Oxford City Council’s territory.
The city council said only that it was a matter for the higher authority.
A spokesman for Vale of the White Horse District Council said the council was in favour of an improved direct railway connection, saying: “The council remains committed to a decarbonised sustainable transport system and improving air quality.
“We strongly support improvements to rail services between Swindon and Oxford.”
New rail links and stations are the responsibility of Network Rail, which will soon become Great British Railways.
The organisation has not responded to a request for comment.