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.
The franchise is due for renewal in the next few years and this is a great opportunity for us to look at what improvements can be made in the way West Oxfordshire's railways run, and what changes can be made to ensure that we can all get to where we need to be. I have responded to this consultation in full, which you can read below.
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.
Last year, I led a debate in Parliament on Upgrades to the Cotswold Line, 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.
