Direct trains to run to Oxford if line is made safer

A direct daily rail service between Swindon and Oxford has been given the green light as long as some level crossings on the line are made safer.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved an application from Great Western Railway (GWR) to run a two-hourly service between Bristol, Swindon and Oxford on weekdays and Saturdays from 17 May.

An ORR spokesman said the service has been approved provided Network Rail brings in "reasonably practicable level crossing safety measures" on the route.

A GWR spokesman, said it understands customers will be "disappointed" the service has not been "fully" reinstated but it will continue to work with Network Rail to "understand what more can be done".

Currently there are no direct services between Swindon and Oxford, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Passengers have to change at Didcot Parkway or Reading to travel between the two stations.

A direct service would shave more than 10 minutes off the current fastest weekday journey time to under 30 minutes.

The ORR said after analysing the "impact on punctuality and reliability" as well as level crossing safety, it had approved the service "subject" to certain conditions.

"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," it said.

A GWR spokesman said customers will be disappointed the ORR "has not been able to approve proposals to fully reinstate services - at this stage as hoped".

"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 said.

The proposals came after a trial saw limited weekend services run between Swindon and Oxford in 2024.

Jim Robbins, leader of Swindon Borough Council, said it was "outstanding news for Swindon".

"Shortening the time needed to get to Oxford will be massive for people who regularly travel and take pressure off the A420," he said.

"This will help us attract even more jobs and growth to the town."

Conservative leader Gary Sumner, said it was "positive news" for the town.

"I will be very interested to see the take-up of the service," he said.

"Anything that adds to connectivity is to be welcomed, but as usual, it's having reasonably priced fares which are the key to the service being sustainable."

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