 |
Latest News
from the
|
| Contents: |
WILL AMBER CHANGE TO GREEN? Way back in 1971, British Rail decided that the service over the Oxford to Worcester line could easily be provided on predominantly single track. The sections between Wolvercot Junction (near Oxford) and Ascott-under-Wychwood, Moreton-in-Marsh and Evesham and Evesham and Norton Junction (near Worcester) had one track and all intermediate signalling removed. During the period since 1971, there has been an unprecedented growth in demand for travel over the line, with the result that we now have twice as many trains trying to share the reduced amount of infrastructure. Ever since the Cotswold Line Promotion Group was formed in 1978, it has been pressing for the reinstatement of at least some of the track removed in 1971, but successive operators have never seen a need to spend the necessary money. The failure to address this problem has resulted in serious operating difficulties over the route, with knock on delays or even cancellations caused particularly by late running trains. The Group would like to see an hourly off-peak service throughout the day, but, although technically possible, this could compromise punctuality and reliability, given the present infrastructure arrangement. It was announced at a public meeting in Charlbury on 4th April that Network Rail has now submitted proposals to the Office of Rail Regulation for the re-doubling of the single line section between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh together with some 5 miles of the Ascott-under-Wychwood to Wolvercot Junction single line to a point a mile or so east of Charlbury. If implemented, this would just leave two single track sections between Oxford and Worcester, both some 8 to 9 miles in length and would considerably improve the flexibility of the route. A decision is expected from the Office of Rail Regulation early in June. If approved, work could start in 2009, with a view to the new track being available for use by May 2010.
|