Track laying for the first phase of East West Rail is almost finished, marking a step closer to services commencing between Bicester and Bletchley in 2025.

The construction track train made its last journey to the site with track laying now 99 per cent complete.

The remaining work, including welding, stressing, and 'tamping' or track alignment, is set to be completed early next year.

Oxford Mail: Construction workers with the new track construction trainConstruction workers with the new track construction train (Image: East West Railway Company)

A total of 66km of new track will extend from Blecthley to Bicester once the project is finished.

Signalling and telecom installations required to operate the railway are also in progress.

There will be dynamic train testing post completion before officially reopening in 2025.

This part of the line will revive direct passenger services between Oxford, Bletchley, and Milton Keynes for the first time in over half a century.

The East West Rail Alliance, appointed by Network Rail, is executing this phase of the project.

The track was laid by an automated new track construction (NTC) Train, one of the only two machines of its kind in the UK.

The NTC train is faster than conventional methods and can lay up to 1km of new track per day.

This train has eliminated nearly 4,000 lorry journeys from local highways during the construction period.

The East West Railway Company and the East West Rail Alliance have shared a progress video demonstrating the NTC train in operation.

EWR Alliance director Mark Cuzner said: "It is good to see the progress we have made with our track construction programme in the last 12 to 18 months.

"Our team has worked tirelessly with our supply chain partners and Network Rail to meticulously schedule all the engineering trains necessary to support the track construction.

"Witnessing the 58th and final NTC shift is testament to the combined efforts of the entire team and with 99% of the rail now laid, the project is in a healthy position to complete the final section of track installation in the New Year to allow installation of the railway systems before testing of the new railway later in 2024."

In addition, both Winslow station and Bletchley's new high-level platforms are progressing well.

At Winslow, platform shelters are being attached to the new platforms, accessible lifts are being installed on the new footbridge, and work on the new car park commenced in early November.

At Bletchley, cladding is being installed on the building's exterior, and a new footbridge and accessible lift linking to the main station are already in place.