Crime & Safety
Funding for new station entrance boosts East West Rail plan
The Government has put forward £17m to support construction of an eastern entrance to Bletchley station, on top of a commitment of up to £5m from Milton Keynes City Council in Buckinghamshire.
It will create a direct gateway between the station and Bletchley’s main high street, improving access for passengers and supporting businesses.
READ MORE: Rail bosses launch East West Rail consultation
Bletchley is a station on the first section of the East West Rail line, which will eventually run from Oxford to Cambridge.
The first section is still waiting for its first passenger train, despite being handed over to operator Chiltern Railways in March 2025.
David Hughes, chief executive of East West Rail, told the BBC: “We are really pleased to see that funding has now been confirmed to allow the construction of the new eastern entrance at Bletchley station.
“This investment underlines our commitment to working with partners to ensure East West Rail delivers lasting benefits for passengers and communities along the route.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “We are putting the infrastructure in place to create growth in every part of the country, and I look forward to continuing to work with Callum Anderson (Labour MP for Buckingham and Bletchley) to help Bletchley achieve its huge potential.”
Details on delivery timelines and construction phases are expected to be announced in due course.
An eight-week consultation by East West Railway Company is expected to conclude on June 9, and has been offering communities along the route an opportunity to have their say on the latest plans.
Their contributions will help shape the final design of the railway, before a Development Consent Order application for government backing is submitted in 2027.
A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: “We have been working to get everything ready for passenger services to begin on the new line.
“We continue to work closely with the Government, trade unions and industry partners, and will provide further updates when we are able to.”
Dave Richardson, a spokesman for campaign group Railfuture, said in April at the launch of the consultation: “The Oxford-Bletchley-Milton Keynes section is complete but no passenger trains are running, while the Bletchley-Bedford section is operational but needs a major upgrade.
“The Bedford-Cambridge section is a long-term aim as parts of it will need to be built from scratch while some of it will use existing routes. It’s due to open in the 2030s.”
Thames Valley Police has said a Ford Transit van was reported stolen from Lyneham High Street at around 2am this morning (Thursday, June 4).
The force added that it was taken without keys and that CCTV showed it driving away.
READ MORE: Police warning as Audi SUV ‘stolen’ after Cotswolds ‘break-ins’
Wesley Smith, PCSO for Cherwell and West Oxfordshire, said: “At approximately 2am this morning, a black Ford Transit was stolen from the High Street in Lyneham.
“The vehicle was stolen without keys and no signs of damage were left behind, no broken glass etc.
“At approximately 2am at another address, CCTV captures the vehicle driving off.”
Police are requesting residents to check their CCTV for that time frame or if anyone has any further information, to contact the force on 101 and quote reference number 43260278318
The collision took place on Marjoram Way, at the turning into Sage Drive, in Didcot on just before 8.10pm on Saturday, May 23.
A man in his 30s was riding an e-bike at the turning when he was involved in a crash with a white Nissan Juke car.
READ MORE: Hundreds of spaces should be added to new park and ride
The e-bike rider suffered a serious head injury and remains in hospital, Thames Valley Police said in a statement on May 27.
The force has now confirmed that the rider is still receiving hospital treatment.
A spokesman for the force said: “No arrests have been made and the rider remains in hospital.”
The driver of the Nissan was not injured in the collision.
Following the incident, the force appealed for witnesses to the serious injury collision to come forward.
Investigating officer police constable Tim Cameron, of the joint operations roads policing unit, said at the time: “We are appealing to anyone who witnessed this collision to please come forward.
“We would also ask motorists who were in the area at the time to check any dash-cam footage, as it may have captured information that could assist our investigation.”
Anyone with information or footage should call 101 or make a report online, quoting the reference 43260256894.
Thames Valley Police has said they are looking for a man after an incident on Friday, April 10, next to Greens Café in New Inn Hall Street.
A spokesperson for the Oxford unit said: “Do you recognise this man? On Friday 10th April at 17:22 hours, this male assaulted another male on New Inn Hall Street just outside Greens Café.
READ MORE: Primary school announces sudden closure after water emergency
“He is described as a white male with a bald head, wearing a dark green hooded jumper with a black padded gilet over the top, black shorts and white trainers.
“If you recognise him, please call 101 quoting reference 43260174418.”
If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or via its website.
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