THE Rail route between Oxford, Didcot and London will be electrified within six years, the Government announced yesterday.

However, a question mark remained last night over whether the majority of commuters from Oxford to the capital will be able use electric trains, after the Government deferred a decision on whether to electrify the Great Western Main Line west of Didcot, to Bristol and South Wales, and order new express trains, which would also be used on fast services to Oxford and the Cotswold Line.

Electrifying suburban services between Oxfordshire and London Paddington will benefit 700,000 journeys a month made to the capital on stopping services operated by Turbo diesel units.

However, unless the Government agrees to electrify the main line to the west in the new year, the 1.1 million commuter journeys made on High Speed Trains between Oxford and London every month will remain diesel-powered.

Electric trains promise faster journey times, because they accelerate faster than diesels, while carbon emissions are also cut.

The Government’s electrification scheme – part of £14bn of funding for Network Rail announced yesterday – had been put on hold because of the coalition Government’s comprehensive spending review.

Transport Minister Norman Baker visited Oxford yesterday to announce the scheme would be finished by 2016, as part of the biggest investment in railways since Victorian times.

He promised Oxford commuters would benefit from some of the new 650 extra coaches to be delivered by 2014, but could not say how many First Great Western would receive.

Last year, 8.2 per cent of rush-hour trains operated by FGW were officially classed as overcrowded by the Office of Rail Regulation.

Liberal Democrat Mr Baker said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce the electrification of the line from London to Oxford.

“This is a major package of investment and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to achieving its objectives of stimulating growth and cutting carbon.”

He said an announcement on whether to electrify the main line west of Didcot would be made within the next three months and depended on whether the Government chooses to replace diesel High Speed Trains with new all-electric or dual-mode diesel-electric trains.

Richard Stow, chairman of campaign group Railfuture’s Thames Valley branch, said: “Both passengers and neighbours of the railway will benefit. Electric trains are quieter and cleaner than diesels, more reliable and need less maintenance.”

FGW spokesman Sue Evans said: “It’s good news for a large number of our customers travelling on certain services but we’re still waiting to hear about electrification further west. This means bigger trains with more capacity, less overcrowding and a more pleasant journey to work.”