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Robert Courts
Former MP for Witney

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Robert Courts
Former MP for Witney

Making West Oxfordshire's Railways Fit for the Future

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Trains
ask the gwr
Hanborough
Tackley

People across West Oxfordshire rely on our railways to get to work and to visit family and friends.  With heavy congestion on our main roads, it is essential that we have railways that are fit for the future and a transport system that keeps us moving.

With eight stations in West Oxfordshire, we have the potential for trains to become a key part of an integrated local transport network - linking with our roads, buses and active travel infrastructure. 

I am leading the campaign for upgrades to the Cotswold Line and led a debate in Parliament on the matter, during which I outlined the case for various upgrades to our railways in West Oxfordshire - you can watch this in full here. I also held a public meeting in Charlbury to discuss your priorities for the future of West Oxfordshire's railways.

I am pleased to say that we have achieved many of these upgrades in recent months, with top-of-the-range new trains, platform extensions, station parking improvements, and a new station building at Hanborough, making it a staffed station for the first time in over 50 years. 

These significant upgrades now achieved, I am intensifying my campaign to deliver further re-doubling of the Cotswold Line, which is crucial in enabling more frequent and reliable trains on the line. 

I hope to keep you all updated with what I am doing on this key issue below - to ensure Oxfordshire's transport network works effectively for us all.

Attachments

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Robert Courts MP response to DfT Great Western Railway Consultation (333.18 KB) 333.18 KB

News

Kingham

Petition: Make Kingham Station Accessible For All

Tuesday, 26 April, 2022
In my role as Member of Parliament for Witney and West Oxfordshire, I am supporting GWR's bid for funding to make Kingham Station accessible for all passengers. At present, it is not possible for disabled people to access Kingham Station, limiting their opportunity to use rail services for work, sc
flexi

New Flexible Season Tickets Now on Sale

Monday, 21 June, 2021
New flexible season tickets go on sale today for use from Monday 28 June, in a move hailed by Robert as "excellent news for commuters in West Oxfordshire." The new flexi tickets are part of the Government's wider reforms to make our railways more passenger-focussed and save commuters
rail

Government Invests £68m in Rail Upgrades to Improve Journeys to Oxford

Wednesday, 26 May, 2021
The Government has today announced that £68.8m from the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline fund will be invested in rail upgrades in and around Oxford Station to improve capacity and reliability.  The funding will enable Network Rail to deliver track works and level crossing closures, to remov
Trains

Government Launches Great British Railways to Integrate the Railways & Put Passengers First

Thursday, 20 May, 2021
The Government has today announced the biggest transformation of our railways in decades with the creation of Great British Railways - a new body to integrate the railways for the first time in a quarter of a century, owning the infrastructure, collecting most fare revenue,
bus

Robert Welcomes Launch of National Bus Strategy

Monday, 15 March, 2021
Robert said: "I have campaigned for some time to build an integrated transport network in West Oxfordshire - with buses playing a key role in this coordinated system. "I am therefore delighted by the new National Bus Strategy launched today which will completely overhaul services, ensuring we build
Cotswold Line

Robert Joins Briefing on Cotswold Line Campaign

Tuesday, 19 January, 2021
Robert said: "Local MPs and councils received a useful update from the Cotswold Line Promotion Group on progress in the campaign to upgrade the line. "Everyone is pulling in the same direction on this and we are determined to work together on the scheme proposal which could deliver vital upgrades o

Robert Reacts to Budget 2020

Wednesday, 11 March, 2020
Today's Budget delivers on our promises to the British people - to support families and help them with the cost of living, to level-up infrastructure, and to invest in Britain's future. Here's my top 10 announcements from the Budget: 🏥 £30 Billion Coronavirus Stimulus Package to support the N
HANBOROUGH

Oxford Mail - West Oxfordshire Set For £200m Rail Upgrade

Thursday, 6 February, 2020
UP TO £200m could be spent to improve the Cotswold line railway, by running extra trains between Oxford and Worcester. The North Cotswold line currently runs from Oxford to Hereford and crosses many constituencies, one of which is Witney. Residents of West Oxfordshire could be set to benefit from

Robert Continues Campaign for Further Cotswold Line Upgrades

Thursday, 9 January, 2020
Robert said: "During the first Business Questions of 2020 I took the opportunity to call for a debate on the Government's ambition to increase investment in rail infrastructure - ensuring that West Oxfordshire passengers benefit through upgrades to the Cotswold Line. "Further redoubling of the Cots

Robert Questions Transport Secretary on Cotswold Line Progress

Thursday, 31 October, 2019
Robert has helped to deliver significant improvements to local rail services in West Oxfordshire in recent years, with additional car parking provision, platform extensions, upgraded facilities, world-class new trains - and a staff presence at Hanborough Station for the first time in over 50 ye
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Robert Courts Former MP for Witney

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ConservativesPromoted by Sara Abey on behalf of Robert Courts, both of Witney Conservative Association, 58-60 High Street, Witney OX28 6HJ
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