Oxford-Marylebone service delayed until December
THE time taken to satisfy the requirements of the Transport and Works Act Order with regard to noise and vibration, particularly in the Wolvercote area of Oxford, is the principal reason why Chiltern Railways has had to delay the introduction of its service from Oxford through to London Marylebone. The first service will leave Oxford station at 0536 on December 12 2016.
Chiltern began operating a half-hourly service from the new station at Oxford Parkway to Marylebone on October 25 2015 ( RAIL 787).
However, securing the necessary permissions to rebuild the line between Oxford and Oxford Parkway has proved particularly lengthy and problematic. Local residents have protested against the proposals, citing the noise and vibration that will be created by the increased volume of rail traffic passing close to certain homes ( RAIL 784). As well as Chiltern’s trains, in the 2020s the line will also be used by East West Rail services heading for Milton Keynes, Bedford and beyond.
Last autumn, both Chiltern Railways and Network Rail were confident that with these permissions secured, the new service would start “in spring 2016”. The six-month delay therefore reflects a more cautious approach, with the opening now set for the date of the National Rail Timetable change.
The noise mitigation measures were finally approved by Oxford City Council’s West Area Planning Committee on December 15 2015, subject to two reservations being satisfactorily addressed.
Chiltern’s announcement on January 20 makes no mention of these issues, but speaking on the same day on BBC Radio Oxford, Chiltern Director Graham Cross said: “It took a bit longer than we thought to get all the consents and approvals that we needed from Oxford City Council. We’re clear of those now, and we’re very confident that the first trains will run on December 12.
“We understood what approvals were needed - what takes time sometimes is negotiating the detail. There were quite high hurdles that we have to cross and we need to spend some time getting it right.”
Cross said that the programme is “clear and realistic”, adding: “Work has already started at Wolvercote, and will begin at Oxford station next month (February). We’ve got a clear way forward now.”