Oxfordshire bus companies support Oxford United new stadium

Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach and Chiltern Railways described Oxford United’s proposed new stadium as “a great opportunity” to grow sustainable travel and enhance active travel options for the community. 

The stadium design includes a 180-bed hotel and what would be the largest conference and event space in Oxfordshire, to enhance the county’s national and international appeal. Economic studies have found the stadium would make a large positive contribution to the Oxfordshire economy, with more than £32M generated per year. 

The proposed new stadium would be located on land known locally as 'The Triangle', opposite Oxford Parkway rail station near Kidlington. 

Tony Baxter, operations director, of Chiltern Railways said: “The proposed Oxford United stadium provides a significant opportunity to grow public transport usage on matchdays. We’re working with the Department for Transport to increase the number of trains we operate across our network, which would provide us with the additional capacity needed to serve the stadium on matchdays, whilst also delivering our normal timetables.

“We’re also working closely with Oxford United to review improvements to customer facilities at Oxford Parkway.

"These could include creating queuing systems, improving walking and cycling access to the station and enhancing customer facilities such as toilets and waiting shelters.”

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Oxford Bus Group wholeheartedly supports the new stadium proposal.

Luke Marion (Image: Photo: Oxford Mail)

“The venue would be in a more sustainable location than the existing site due to its proximity to existing high-frequency bus routes, two Park & Ride sites and Oxford Parkway rail station.

“We’re working closely with the club on how we would enhance the ever-growing matchday bus shuttle services we currently operate. This has been highly effective at the Kassam Stadium and we would increase the service at the Triangle.

"It is a great opportunity to provide more active travel options for people and transform how they visit the stadium into sustainable modes.

“Moreover, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for Oxfordshire to create something truly special for the community. The conference centre would be a game-changer for Oxfordshire’s tourism sector, which is vital to the local economy.” 

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, said: “This proposal is an incredibly exciting prospect for the City of Oxford and the county. The new location provides a natural hub for the community to access the fantastic facilities at the new stadium in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way.

“We already provide a range of high frequency services in the area; linking the City Centre, Kidlington and Bicester to Banbury Road and Oxford Parkway and are excitedly working with the club on how we could ensure that more people can travel sustainably to the proposed new stadium."