Network Rail funds main line project

The new main line from London to Oxfordshire is expected to deliver much faster services on the Chiltern route to Banbury and Birmingham.

As a result of the Chiltern Railways’ project, commuters could see journey times of 92 minutes from its London Marylebone base to Birmingham Snow Hill, cutting the present journey time by 25 minutes. Similarly, journey times to Banbury could be cut to 50 minutes compared with the 67 minutes it currently takes.

Network Rail stated the centrepiece of the Oxford link will be Water Eaton Parkway in north Oxford, which is described as a high-quality integrated transport hub linked to the A34, A40 and Oxford city centre.

Adrian Shooter, chairman of Chiltern Railways, said: ‘This is the biggest passenger rail project for several generations not to call on the taxpayer for support. Working closely with Network Rail, we are going to create a new main line railway for the people of Oxfordshire and the Midlands. This deal demonstrates that real improvements to rail services can be paid for without public subsidy by attracting people out of their cars and onto trains.’