Oxfordshire County Council has welcomed a decision allowing two popular commuter train services to remain on the rail timetable from December.

The 8.35am service from Banbury to Oxford (and on to Didcot and Reading) and the 5.34pm service from Didcot to Banbury previously faced removal from the timetable as part of the changes that happen in December every year.

However, Great Western Railway has decided against any decision to remove them, meaning that commuters from Banbury, Didcot and Oxford and locations including Tackley and the Heyfords to still use the services.

Councillor Judy Roberts, cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy, said: “GWR have listened very carefully to what local rail users have said and responded really well. Both services are very well patronised and link villages as well as towns. They’re exceptionally valued by the communities they serve and ideally timed for commuters.”

GWR business development portfolio director Tom Pierpoint said: “We’re grateful to local residents, businesses and Oxfordshire County Council for highlighting the importance of these services and I’m pleased we’ve been able to find a solution that will retain them both in our December timetable.”

"We do sometimes have to make changes but it is clear that these services play a vital role for our communities in Tackley, Heyford, King’s Sutton and Banbury.”