An MP has called on the chancellor for funding to keep a town's level crossing open ahead of the budget this week.

The MP for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller, has written to the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, ahead of Wednesday (October 30), calling on her to fund the London Road Crossing in Bicester.

The East Railway project will result in the London Road Crossing being closed to vehicles, bikes and pedestrians for more than 45 minutes every hour and could, as a result, be closed permanently by Network Rail. 

The Liberal Democrat MP said: “Everyone in Bicester knows that we need a new crossing at London Road and that East West Rail and successive national governments have dragged their heels over funding it.

"I have been campaigning for years with local residents for this."  

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In Mr Miller's first week as an MP he wrote to to rail minister Lord Peter Hendy to "make sure he knew how important this matter is to residents in Bicester".

In the letter to Lord Hendy on sent on July 10, he wrote: "The East Railway (EWR) project to connect Oxford to Cambridge is an ambitious infrastructure project that will provide connection between some of the UK's most dynamic centres of innovation and research.

"Bicester is one of the fastest growing towns in England. London Road is the key artery that connects the south of the town to the centre and to schools, doctors' surgeries as well as the town's two stations.

"Unfortunately, progress towards agreeing, funding and delivering a scheme that would maintain access for all modes of transport, including bikes and pedestrians, has been painfully slow."

"I share their frustration that it has taken so long," said Mr Miller this week. 

"That is why I wrote to the chancellor ahead of her budget to press the case for government funding to keep London Road open.

London Road Level Crossing in Bicester (Image: Jon Lew) “I welcome the proposed new railway and the jobs and investment it will bring to Bicester. But it can't come at the cost of cutting our town in two.

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"The increase in services will greatly increase delays on the London Road and make the level crossing unsafe. 

"So we need a commitment now to invest to provide alternative crossings so that pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can continue to get across town.

"East West Rail consulted on options in 2021. They reported back in 2023. They promised more detail in summer 2024.

"That period has covered four prime ministers and five rail ministers but Bicester is running out of patience. It is time for this new government to step up and fund the project.“