Hugh Jaeger misrepresents my letter in reply to The Issue as anti-Rail investment (Oxford Mail, December 9). I did question the value for money and direct benefits to Bicester of this line against other rail investments, including East West Rail, because the lion’s share of this investment will be funded with money borrowed by Network Rail – and that is the taxpayer.
True, Chiltern will pay additional track access charges for the rest of its subsidised franchise, but initial funding is still from the taxpayer, hardly a completely different source.
The vast amount of taxpayers’ money being spent to double the track and increase the line speed to 90mph between Bicester and Oxford is unaffordable in the present climate.
More modest line speed improvement, without all the level crossing closures proposed, is all that East West rail needs.
The huge park-and-ride stations proposed at Bicester Town (with its attendant compulsory purchase of land) and Water Eaton will be white elephants for years to come.
The claim that the Great Western main line to Paddington is at saturation is complete rubbish.
Just because some trains are full does not mean the line is saturated.
If homeward rail commuters from Paddington cannot get a seat until they pass Slough or Reading, then the solution is simple: run longer trains and/or run to Oxford non-stop.
With the recent announcement of electrification on the Oxford to Paddington line, why would London commuters want to travel the long way round on a noisy diesel train?
A low cost extension of the wires to Water Eaton, on the other hand, could temp some southbound car users off the A34.
While it’s true that Bicester to Oxford commuters will get a 15 minute journey to Oxford station, for many a bus journey to their final destination in Oxford will still be required, so no time will be saved at all.
With all Chiltern trains stopping at Oxford, and onward rail passengers having to change trains for Thames Valley stations, I cannot see this project reducing the traffic on the A34 at all.
The Bicester cord line will be the cause of complaint for years to come. It will be the reason for rail and road user delay and will generate so much noise that residents close to Launton Road, Longfields, Gavray Drive and Mallards Way will have to endure a rude awakening most mornings and evenings.
Nothing would please me more than for Chiltern Railways to be granted a 25-year franchise for East West Rail and for their excellent record to be applied to that route.
Through-trains from the Thames Valley to destinations such as Milton Keynes would be a significant gain to Bicester residents, and yet all they would lose is the noise and traffic congestion that will accompany this Bicester cord line.
East West Rail in the hands of an operator like Chiltern could really make a difference to traffic on the A34 and A43.
Colin Morris, Lyneham Road, Bicester
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here