Oxford News
Trains could run on Cowley branch line after 60 years
East West Rail Company (EWR Co) has announced a major consultation on the latest designs for the route linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
The eight-week consultation will run from Tuesday to June 9, 2026, offering communities along the route an opportunity to have their say.
Contributions will help shape the final design before a Development Consent Order application for government backing is submitted next year.
Proposed changes have been made to improve Oxford Parkway station to accommodate the expected increase in passenger demand for East West Rail (EWR).
This includes from proposed nearby developments such as the new Oxford United stadium near Kidlington.
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As part of the plans, there is a new active travel hub with cycle parking, an improved pedestrian access route between the station building and the existing park and ride terminal, and safer crossing facilities for walkers and cyclists at the junction with Oxford Road.
There are also plans for hybrid electric/battery-equipped trains to operate between Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village.
Network Rail is also proposing to open the Cowley Branch line for passenger services after being closed for 60 years.
This would free up platform capacity at Oxford Station and allow trains on EWR services to terminate at the station.
Up to five trains an hour with up to five carriages could run across the whole route during peak times to meet increase demand and enable service extensions on the wider rail network.
New stations and sections of the line will open as soon as they are ready with the full railway open by the mid-to-late 2030s.
One of the consultation events will be at the Kings Centre in Osney Mead, Oxford, on Tuesday, May 12, from 11am to 6pm.
Senior councillors at Oxford City Council, the freeholder owner of land at Grenoble Road in south Oxford, have already been recommended to approve the sale.
Emma Gubbins, corporate asset lead at Oxford City Council, said in a report ahead of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, April 15 that the “disposal” of the land could generate “significant” money for the authority.
This is despite it being just a “small part” of the city council’s total land portfolio, the report added.
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Ms Gubbins said: “The council intends to dispose of the land by way of option agreement and ultimately freehold transfer.”
Essentially, this means a contract giving the developer the right to buy in future (option agreement). Then, if that right is used, a permanent sale of the land itself (freehold transfer).
Ms Gubbins added that the terms of the deal are confidential and subject to a non-disclosure agreement.
As such, details of how much the land is valued at and how much the council could make from a potential sale are not known publicly.
Oxford City Council said it could not say what the land subject to a potential sale is to be used for.
The officer’s report added that a sale could achieve benefits via development and added: “It is considered that on balance the disposal should proceed in order to achieve the significant positives for the council, future council and local areas.”
Paul Berry made 108 appearances for Oxford United between 1977 and 1982 to score 20 goals.
Born in Oxford in 1958, Mr Berry did a brief spell for Norwich City before signing full time for the Yellows.
Post Oxford United, he played professionally for Witney before launching a managerial career for Ardley United, Bicester Town, Carterton and Abingdon Town.
Oxford United said in a statement that it is “deeply saddened” to hear of Mr Berry’s death aged 68 on April 11.
“During the 1990s, Paul was also an integral part of the centre of excellence programme at Oxford United,” the club added.
“Everyone at the club would like to pass on our condolences to Paul’s family and friends at this difficult time.
“Rest in peace, forever a Yellow.”
Ardley United said: “We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Paul Berry.
“Paul managed Ardley jointly with Ian Feaver during 2004/05 season and was a great friend to the club. ”
Mr Feaver added: “We were all very sad to hear this news as Paul was such a lovely man, a true gentleman.
READ MORE: Delivery driver, 24, who was rammed in ‘police chase’ named and charged
“He came to the club just a few weeks ago and it was great to see him then as always.”
A minute’s silence at the Ardley v Milton United game on Tuesday, April 14 is to be held.
Kidlington FC said it is “saddened” about the death and added: Paul was involved with the club as first team manager for a short period, and we are grateful for his contribution during this time.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”
The incident occurred at about 11.17pm on Sunday, April 12, when Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was called to reports of a major blaze on the M40 between junction 10 with Ardley and 11 with Banbury.
Crews from Bicester, Kidlington and Banbury Fire Stations attended and tackled the petrol car fire, as fuel spread across the carriageway.
READ MORE: Air Ambulance statement after Banbury crash involving boy
Commenting on Monday morning, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “On arrival crews were faced with a conventionally fuelled car fully involved and a running fuel fire spreading on the carriageway.
“Fortunately the owner was able to evacuate safely when the fire started and no injuries were sustained.
“Crews wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire using hose-reels, preventing further spread to the carriageway.”
The motorway was fully closed for around 30 minutes before one lane was reopened by Highways England Traffic officers and Thames Valley Police.
#M40 northbound between J10 #Ardley and J11 #Banbury is blocked.
This is due to a vehicle fire.
Emergency services are on scene.
Delays are currently up to 20 minutes on approach. pic.twitter.com/MT2m0BRo2A
— National Highways: East (@HighwaysEAST) April 12, 2026
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National Highways shared an alert for drivers at about midnight on Sunday, warning the M40 northbound between junctions 10 and 11 was blocked due to a vehicle fire.
Delays were initially up to 20 minutes on approach until lane three reopened at approximately 12.25am on Monday.
It was announced that all lanes had reopened at the scene had cleared by about 2.30am.
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