£7 billion East West Rail Oxford to Milton Keynes row reignites

The dispute that halted the much-anticipated introduction of new trains to Milton Keynes looked to be coming to be coming to an end.

The Government has been pushing for ‘Driver-Controlled’ or ‘Driver-Only Operation’—a cost-saving method introduced widely on London commuter lines in the 1980s, a move widely condemned by trade unions.

The Department for Transport’s (DfT) plan for trains to be staffed by a driver and a customer service inspector seemed to solve the dispute.

But this did not meet the The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)’s demands.

The union has been opposing plans to use driver-only trains between Oxford and Milton Keynes Central.

Although the line between Bicester and Bletchley has technically been open since 2024, it has only been used by freight, charter, and test trains.

Chiltern Railways was chosen as the operator and has been advertising for customer service inspectors, instead of guards.

However, these inspectors would not be considered ‘safety-critical,’ meaning the driver would be responsible for opening and closing the doors.

Chiltern Railways stated it has made significant progress in preparing for the line to open to scheduled passenger trains, but no date has been announced.

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East West Rail Action Group protesting outside Bletchley station (Image: Diana Blamires)

The company said it is continuing to work closely with the The Department for Transport, trade unions, and industry partners.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers general secretary Eddie Dempsey insisted on the necessity of a guaranteed safety-critical second person aboard trains, citing their essential role in handling a wide range of duties and responding appropriately to ‘dangerous and fast-moving’ situations.

He said: “We need a clear commitment from Chiltern that East West Rail services will not be Driver Only Operation and that a second safety-critical member of staff will be guaranteed.”

Chiltern Railways is set to be renationalised on September 20, when it will be taken over by DfT Operator in preparation for Great British Railways.

45 drivers have been recruited for the new service, but no guards.

The project delays have already taken a significant financial toll.

Six two-carriage trains have accumulated £2.6m in costs due to delays in their lease.

Currently idle in a Bletchley depot, these units are costing the Department for Transport money without generating any fare income.

The Government previously said trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes are being lined up to appear in the December rail timetable.

In a written statement, rail minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Chiltern worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes.”