Andyjs247
Member
Some of the issues surrounding this crossing have been discussed elsewhere. However I have started a new thread for the latest updates as it is outside of the scope of the East West Rail Phase 2 and current consultations. Equally it didn't seem appropriate for the previous thread. EWR2 covers the works beyond Bicester Gavray Junction and the route towards Bletchley, MK and Bedford as well as the line from Aylesbury. London Road crossing is not a part of this - ideally a solution should have been found as part of Phase 1 which has linked Oxford with Marylebone and is now complete. But we are where we are.
Three and a half years ago, before the line closed for rebuilding, there were no more than 10 freight trains a week through Bicester Town. Drivers would have been unlucky to be stuck at the level crossing. Soon - hopefully by about 2022 - there will be 10 or even 12 trains each hour. Experience of the current 4-trains-an-hour confirms the barriers are often closed for about 15 minutes in every hour. But when the line to Bletchley opens the crossing will be closed for longer, up to 39 minutes each hour. That’s according to a study by Network Rail and the highways authority i.e. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC). In all 37 level crossings were closed between Bicester and Oxford. London Road crossing could then be the only one remaining between Oxford and Bletchley.
OCC had said again in November that there were no plans to close the crossing permanently. (There was local uproar when a map was published suggesting the crossing would close by 2019 without an alternative route into town). Yet they are still looking at various options for a tunnel or bridge and, subject to funding, the hope is to get a solution in place before the line opens through to Cambridge i.e. about 2030 or so. I don't think anyone wants the road and crossing to be closed without a suitable alternative in place though.
Local councillors have been having private discussions with NR as the present level crossing is not really satisfactory - there have been several crossing failures recently adding to the delays and problems locally. There is pressure for a solution as the gridlock is only going to get worse. Bicester is growing rapidly - there's plans in the pipeline for 3700 homes south of the railway by 2031.
A report earlier this year outlined some options and makes interesting reading. It can be downloaded from OCC's website here.
An underpass seems to be the favourite although not the cheapest option. According to the report, estimates for anticipated final costs vary between £61 million and £65 million for the underpass options. An overbridge option - which has not been significantly developed could cost up to approximately £44 million. The next step depends on what money will be made available. Though "Do nothing" is not really an option, I know there are no easy solutions.
Three and a half years ago, before the line closed for rebuilding, there were no more than 10 freight trains a week through Bicester Town. Drivers would have been unlucky to be stuck at the level crossing. Soon - hopefully by about 2022 - there will be 10 or even 12 trains each hour. Experience of the current 4-trains-an-hour confirms the barriers are often closed for about 15 minutes in every hour. But when the line to Bletchley opens the crossing will be closed for longer, up to 39 minutes each hour. That’s according to a study by Network Rail and the highways authority i.e. Oxfordshire County Council (OCC). In all 37 level crossings were closed between Bicester and Oxford. London Road crossing could then be the only one remaining between Oxford and Bletchley.
OCC had said again in November that there were no plans to close the crossing permanently. (There was local uproar when a map was published suggesting the crossing would close by 2019 without an alternative route into town). Yet they are still looking at various options for a tunnel or bridge and, subject to funding, the hope is to get a solution in place before the line opens through to Cambridge i.e. about 2030 or so. I don't think anyone wants the road and crossing to be closed without a suitable alternative in place though.
Local councillors have been having private discussions with NR as the present level crossing is not really satisfactory - there have been several crossing failures recently adding to the delays and problems locally. There is pressure for a solution as the gridlock is only going to get worse. Bicester is growing rapidly - there's plans in the pipeline for 3700 homes south of the railway by 2031.
A report earlier this year outlined some options and makes interesting reading. It can be downloaded from OCC's website here.
An underpass seems to be the favourite although not the cheapest option. According to the report, estimates for anticipated final costs vary between £61 million and £65 million for the underpass options. An overbridge option - which has not been significantly developed could cost up to approximately £44 million. The next step depends on what money will be made available. Though "Do nothing" is not really an option, I know there are no easy solutions.
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