Calls for progress continue to be made by people who are frustrated by the delay to the line’s re-opening to passengers after nearly 60 years, despite construction being completed on the section from Oxford to Milton Keynes in December 2024.

Currently, only freight trains are running on the route which connects Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Bicester to Cambridge, via stations like Milton Keynes and Bedford.

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Among the issues which have delayed the official opening of the £7 billion new train line is an ongoing dispute between the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union, which represents train guards and drivers, and East West Rail line operator Chiltern Railways.

A newly launched petition is calling for the Government to ‘end the deadlock’.

Chiltern Railways will operate the new line. Pictured: Oxford Parkway (Image: Oxford Mail)

It said: “The East West Rail Line was due to open last December for passenger services. It’s still not running.

“The Government needs to break the deadlock between Chiltern Railways and unions.

“There needs to be effective negotiation to resolve differences and find a solution. Services need to run urgently.

“People moved to the East West Rail Line corridor for work and to use the train for other reasons.

“Some have lost jobs because of the delay. Others, who expected to take the train, are struggling to battle rush hour traffic to places like Oxford.”

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Railfuture, a campaign group promoting the expansion and efficacy of rail transport in the UK, said a dispute between the RMT Union and Chiltern Railways over Driver Only Operation is to blame for the delays.

The union said Chiltern Railways wants train drivers to open and close the doors at stations, with no train guards required – something which it has condemned as ‘unsafe’.

David Richardson, spokesperson for the Thames Valley branch of Railfuture, said: “We wholeheartedly support this petition and would urge anyone wanting to see better rail services in Oxford to support it.

Construction on the first section was completed in December 2024 (Image: EWR)

“We have suffered major disruption while the new bridge at Oxford station is put in to support an extra platform and new rail services, yet here we have a restored rail route that is open to freight trains but no passenger services are running.”

He said the petition would be discussed at the campaign groups AGM on May 12 in West Oxford Community Centre.

“Any further delay would be very, very frustrating,” Mr Richardson added.

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The RMT Union disputes that the delay has been caused by its dispute with the train operator.

A union spokesperson said: “It is simply inaccurate to blame delays to East West Rail on our dispute when the project has been held back for years by indecision, rising costs and unresolved planning issues.

“The industrial dispute only affects one part of the route and the biggest delays sit squarely with those in charge of managing the project.”

They added delays to the reopening are due to the central section between Bedford and Cambridge still needing to be built, vacancies on the line, issues with the stations which have been built and new railways having to be designed, agreed and approved.

The new line will connect Oxford to Cambridge for the first time in nearly 70 years (Image: Greg Blatchford)

The spokesperson said: “We are opposed to Driver Only Operation because it is vital there is a second safety critical person on board.

“This can include being responsible for door operations but it is a highly varied role, dealing with passengers safety, particularly in emergencies. 

“The guaranteed presence of a second onboard safety critical staff member provides a safer environment and reassurance to passengers particularly women and girls travelling alone. 

“RMT members are committed to delivering a safe and reliable railway, but they will not accept being used as cover for failures in project management.”

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: “Since being announced as operator of the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Milton Keynes in March 2025, we have been working at pace to get everything ready for services to begin on the new line.

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“Significant progress has been made, including the hiring and training of 44 train drivers, the creation of a new colleague facility at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow.

“However, there is work still to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and on the operating arrangements for the new route.

“We are continuing our work on these areas in conjunction with industry colleagues and will provide updates as soon as we are able to.”

The challenge is part of a £1 million fundraising effort to secure the future of rowing at the Oxford college.

A total of 48 alumni, along with current students and staff, will make the journey as part of a challenge to endow Oriel’s boat club during the college’s 700th anniversary year.

Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, said: “The scale of participation in the alumni Channel row to mark our 700th anniversary year is staggering.

“It demonstrates the lasting bonds students form on the water as well as a love for their college.”

The fundraising effort aims to keep rowing free for all students and fund a permanent coach.

Crossings will take place over four weekends in April and May, with crews rowing the 35-mile stretch between Ramsgate and Dunkirk in six Cornish pilot gigs – oar boats built to withstand sea conditions.

A seventh boat, crewed entirely by students, will take a different route through the Solent, north of the Isle of Wight.

Alumni from the past seven decades will take part, with the oldest rower aged 75.

One of the boats will be crewed by an all-women team.

Adam Frost, a member of the organising team and a Channel rower, said: “Celebrating Oriel College’s 700th anniversary is inspiring.

“Rowing the Channel is a challenge — apparently, fewer people have completed it than have climbed Mount Everest.

“Personally though, the greatest joy of planning the Oriel Channel Row is seeing the camaraderie — across the generations, men and women, current students and alumni — all sharing a deep appreciation of Oriel and love of rowing.”

Among those taking part is Roz Lawson, who said: “I never expected to row, but at Oriel in 1987 almost every person in my year gave it a go.

“I’m so pleased to hear that the endowment would maintain Oriel’s commitment to free rowing for all students – I would never have started rowing if I’d had to pay a membership fee.”

She added: “I’m excited (and a little scared) for the Oriel Channel Row!”

Tim Shepheard-Walwyn, another rower, said: “Taking part in the Oriel Channel Row was a challenge I really could not pass up.

“As a former complete novice who learned to row as a student, I can vouch for the life-changing experience that is available to anyone who takes up rowing at Oriel.”

Oriel College, founded in 1326 by King Edward II, is the fifth-oldest surviving college at Oxford University.

It is home to around 320 undergraduates and 230 postgraduates.

Donations to support the boat club endowment can be made through the college’s official fundraising page.

The popular Swedish retail brand, which designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, has been the world’s largest furniture retailer since 2008.

Currently, the closest stores to Oxfordshire are in Milton Keynes and Reading, which both require lengthy drives to reach.

With new stores being announced to open in Chester, Essex and Norwich, last April, the Oxford Mail enquired if there were plans for a move to the county soon.

Having been told that there were no solid plans for an expansion into Oxfordshire last year, but with an eye kept on the situation by IKEA, this newspaper has asked again, one year on.

Today (Tuesday, April 7), a spokesperson for the brand said: “We’re in a fast-changing retail environment and we want to make sure we continue to be affordable and convenient.

“Our ambitious growth plans mean we are focusing on all parts of creating a great customer experience, whenever and wherever people need us.

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“This includes investing in our online offer, pick up points and customer services, rebuilding and adapting existing IKEA stores, and evaluating different locations as part of our expansion strategy.​

“Whilst we are reviewing our strategy on an ongoing basis. We are not considering Oxfordshire as a potential location for IKEA at this current time.”

For Oxfordshire customers who prefer not to travel to Reading or Milton Keynes, the brand’s products can be delivered straight to homes or to a Tesco or DPD pick‑up point nearby.