Chiltern rail plans go on display

Members of the public view Chiltern Railways' plans

Plans to start a new service between Oxford and London Marylebone have gone on public display.

Chiltern Railways intend to run trains via a new line connecting the Chiltern line to the East-West line.

The proposed service would mean a new station for Kidlington and upgrades for Islip and Bicester stations.

An exhibition went on display in Bicester on Friday. It will be shown in Oxford on Saturday and in Kidlington on 25 April.

Leslie Freithe, who was at the exhibition in Bicester, said he was in favour of the plans.

"If you put the links in, all sort of journeys are possible. It might help people to choose to go by rail instead of by road," he said.

Adrian Shooter, Chairman of Chiltern Railways, said the route should "offer an alternative to the often congested M40 and A34 roads".

The new rail service will be created by upgrading the existing route between Oxford and Bicester Town.

It will also involve building a short connecting line south east of Bicester, linking the Oxford to Bicester and London Marylebone to Birmingham lines.