PLANS to improve Oxford’s railway station have been submitted to Oxford City Council.

Oxfordshire County Council has lodged an application to build a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over Botley Road, which would replace the existing footbridge.

Network Rail has also consulted the city council on its plans to create a new platform on part of the station’s long-stay car park off Becket Street, to be used by services between Oxford and London.

The company hopes the improvements will allow the station to cope with larger passenger numbers.

Network Rail does not need planning permission for the platform work as it has permitted development rights.

Figures revealed last month showed the number of people travelling by train in Oxfordshire grew even as the recession began to bite.

In 2008-2009 Oxford station was at the start or end of almost five-and-a-half million journeys, a rise of 16.5 per cent on the previous year.

County Hall said the station improvements would meet increasing demand and were central to its aim of making the city more accessible by train as part of its wider Access to Oxford project.

Work could start next year, with the platform and bridge open by 2012.