Oxford News
New rail connection linking Oxford and Swindon announced
The Office for Rail and Road has approved Great Western Railway’s application to run a daily two-hourly direct rail service between the three places on weekdays and Saturdays.
The new service, which is hoped may become hourly in the future, builds on a Saturday trial of the new route.
The approved service is subject to Network Rail implementing level crossing safety measures.
A spokesman for the Office for Rail and Road said the two-hourly weekday and Saturday services between Oxford, Swindon and Bristol is effective from May 2026 to December 2027.
He said this was agreed after analysing information and representations about the “impact on punctuality and reliability” as well as level crossing safety.
“However, this is subject to Network Rail first deciding upon and implementing reasonably practicable level crossing safety measures,” the Office for Rail and Road spokesman added.
“Network Rail will undertake a performance review of the two-hourly service before deciding on a long-term view on GWR’s proposal to run hourly services.”
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Great Western Railways’ spokesman said customers will be “disappointed” that the Office for Rail and Road fell short of agreeing to proposals to fully reinstate services.
“We will continue working closely with Network Rail and industry partners to understand what more can be done to introduce additional services as quickly and safely as possible,” he added.
There are no direct services between Oxford and Swindon. While there are frequent trains, passengers need to change at Didcot Parkway or Reading to travel between the two stations.
That extends what could be a short journey to more than 40 minutes as a minimum.
The approximately 30 mile drive to the Wiltshire town from Oxford takes roughly an hour down the A420 depending on traffic.
Swindon has frequently appeared in the annual ‘top 50 worst places to live in England’ list by satirical website ILiveHere.co.uk, ranking as high as eighth in 2023.
But despite this, studies have shown that a Oxford to Swindon corridor would deliver “substantial” economic, environmental and social benefits.
It’s largely believed that by opening up a direct railway link, traffic congestion would be relieved on the A420 from Oxford city centre to Swindon.
Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, previously said: “A direct Oxford to Swindon rail service is very welcome news for Oxford.
“It would connect Oxford to the West and Bristol with a direct, reliable and sustainable public transport option, essential for supporting businesses, attracting investment and giving people better choices for commuting and leisure.”
The Thames Valley Police Abingdon unit arrested a man for “breaching court bail conditions” on Saturday, August 29.
A spokesperson said: “On Saturday, PC Hackett attended reports of a male breaching court bail conditions.
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“With assistance from PC Ellingworth and PC Harvey, the male was arrested. Following a search, a knife was recovered from his possession.”
In a wide ranging update, the force also revealed it had supported in a “concern for welfare incident linked to the night-time economy.
In addition, it had carried out licensing checks across Abingdon with drug wipes used and sent off for testing
OXFORD Mail Camera Club members have been taking photos of their dogs
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The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between Junction 6 for Lewknor and Junction 5 for Watlington in the late morning on Saturday, August 29.
The emergency services attended the scene and closed the road,
National Highways said lanes two and three of the three-lane motorway were shut as a result while crews dealt with the incident, leading to delays of around 40 minutes.
Congestion was worsened by separate lane closures between Junctions 4 and 5 in both directions following damage to the central reservation from an earlier incident.
Traffic built up on approaches to the crash, with nearby areas including Stokenchurch and Lewknor also affected.
Images from traffic cameras showed long queues of vehicles and emergency workers at the scene throughout the afternoon.
AA Travel also reported that one lane was closed on the northbound carriageway between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch due to emergency repairs.
National Highways later confirmed that all southbound lanes between Junctions 6 and 5 had reopened and that the lane closures linked to the earlier incident were also being removed.
Despite the reopening, delays of around 40 minutes remained on the approach as traffic slowly returned to normal.
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