OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail
Our plan for better rail travel integrated with bus services
On this page
About the plan
The OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail sets out plans for better rail travel across Oxfordshire. It supports our wider plans for rail and public transport.
- OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail (pdf format, 7MB)
- OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail (plain text accessible version) (txt format, 200KB)
- OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail executive summary (pdf, 2.6MB)
- OxRAIL 2040 Plan for Rail executive summary (plain text accessible version) (txt format, 50KB)
Residents helped shape the plan through public consultation. The Oxfordshire Citizens’ Assembly also made recommendations on rail services.
- consultation and feedback report (pdf format, 2MB)
- Oxfordshire Citizens’ Assembly rail (pdf format, 2.5MB).
We are working with local councils, the rail industry and other organisations on several rail projects.
Oxford Station and Botley Road
Network Rail plans to add a new track and platform at Oxford station. This would allow more passenger and freight trains to travel through Oxford.
A new station building would also be needed. Early options are being developed for the station and Becket Street car park.
We are working with Oxford City Council, the Department for Transport and other partners on the plans. We are also supporting improvements to cycle parking, walking and cycling routes, and the western station entrance.
The station work is part of Network Rail’s Oxfordshire Connect programme.
Cowley Branch Line
The government has announced £120m to reopen the Cowley Branch Line to passenger services.
The project would create new stations at Oxford Cowley and Oxford Littlemore. It would provide a journey of under 10 minutes from these communities to central Oxford.
The service would connect Littlemore, Cowley, Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys with central Oxford. It is also expected to provide direct services to London Marylebone.
East West Rail
East West Rail is a national project to connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
The western section will allow new passenger services from Oxford and Bicester to Milton Keynes or Bedford. It will also provide more capacity for freight trains.
- Learn more about East West Rail.
Proposed station at Begbroke
We are working with Oxford University Development on plans for a station at Begbroke Science Park.
The station would serve the science park and nearby communities. Plans would include connections with local bus services and walking and cycling routes.
Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford University Development have funded an initial business case.
Proposed station at Ardley
We are exploring plans for a station at Ardley. It could improve rail access and support planned development.
The work will consider developments at Heyford Park and Puy du Fou. It will also consider the proposed Oxfordshire Strategic Rail Freight Interchange.
Our initial study assesses a station on the Chiltern Main Line. It considers whether the station is viable and what further work is needed.
- Ardley station development status (pdf format, 200KB)
- Ardley station initial pre-feasibility report (pdf format, 4MB)
Network Rail and Chiltern Railways plan to publish strategic advice for the Chiltern Main Line. More information will be available on Network Rail’s website after publication.
Proposed station at Wantage and Grove
We are working with Vale of White Horse District Council on a proposal for a station serving Wantage and Grove.
The proposed station could provide direct rail services to Oxford, Didcot, Swindon and Bristol.
We are developing the proposal with rail industry partners. This includes exploring funding options. The work will also consider how the proposed White Horse Reservoir could affect the station.
- Wantage and Grove Station Development Status
- Wantage and Grove Station Strategic Outline Case (pdf format, 4MB)
- Appendix A – Engineering Feasibility Study (pdf format, 5MB)
- Appendix B – Economic Appraisal Report (pdf format, 5MB)
- Appendix C – Project Capital Cost Estimate (pdf format, 100KB)
- Appendix D – Train Service Specification (pdf format, 500KB)
- Appendix E – Economic Analysis (pdf format, 800KB)
Proposed time line
| Phase 1 2025–2030 Foundations | Phase 2 2031–2037 Enhancing capacity and connectivity | Phase 3 2038 onwards Realising our railway’s full potential |
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Working with partners
Rail industry partners and community groups help us improve rail in Oxfordshire.