Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[berneyarms]

Sounds like Chiltern are hoping that people in that particular situation at Islip will just use Oxford Parkway station instead? How far is it by road? 5-10 minutes? I wonder if there will be an easement allowing people with mobility issues to double back at Oxford Parkway or Bicester Village?

Well the service as Islip is pretty limited with only 6 trains each way every day, very much focussed on into Oxford in the morning and back in the evening.

Departures from Islip towards Oxford:
06:12, 07:41, 08:11, 09:02, 13:00, 22:28

Departures from Islip towards London:
13:48, 16:48, 17:49, 19:29, 21:46, 23:22

Opportunities to double back will be fairly limited!!

 

[jimm]

Well the service as Islip is pretty limited with only 6 trains each way every day, very much focussed on into Oxford in the morning and back in the evening.

Departures from Islip towards Oxford:
06:12, 07:41, 08:11, 09:02, 13:00, 22:28

Departures from Islip towards London:
13:48, 16:48, 17:49, 19:29, 21:46, 23:22

Opportunities to double back will be fairly limited!!

Perhaps, but that calling pattern is out of date. And for some reason Network Rail missed several trains off its version of the timetables, despite extra stops having been agreed last December.

The correct timetable is shown on the pdf version of the October service at Chiltern's website.

So it is 0612, 0714 (not 41) 0811, 0902, 1300, 1628, 1848, 2015 and 2228 from Islip towards Oxford.

The 06.12 is an extra over and above what Chiltern previously offered and allows a change at Parkway to head towards London on the 06.31 departure if someone needs to be in London for 0730.

Towards Bicester and London there are calls at Islip at 0812, 0949, 1348, 1648, 1749, 1929, 2146 and 2322.

 

[berneyarms]

Perhaps, but that calling pattern is out of date. And for some reason Network Rail missed several trains off its version of the timetables, despite extra stops having been agreed last December.

The correct timetable is shown on the pdf version of the October service at Chiltern's website.

So it is 0612, 0714 (not 41) 0811, 0902, 1300, 1628, 1848, 2015 and 2228 from Islip towards Oxford.

The 06.12 is an extra over and above what Chiltern previously offered and allows a change at Parkway to head towards London on the 06.31 departure if someone needs to be in London for 0730.

Towards Bicester and London there are calls at Islip at 0812, 0949, 1348, 1648, 1749, 1929, 2146 and 2322.

Sorry that was a typo re 07:14!

Thanks for the correction. Somehow my versions got mixed up.

 

[brboy]

 

[brboy]

 

[dysonsphere]

Nice to see parts bought in by rail even if it only the last few miles

 

[route:oxford]

Oxford West & Abingdon Liberal Democrats have launched another attack against the East-West Rail link.

This is a Liberal Democrat who apparently demands that goods/delivery vehicles are banned from Oxford streets and everything should be delivered by rail - unless it is going to be delivered via a rail line adjacent to his house...

Complaint letter to "The Oxford Mail" here from a resident in the relevant Liberal Democrat Councillor's ward here:-

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/op...Councillor_on_wrong_track_over_use_of_trains/

 

[jimm]

Oxford West & Abingdon Liberal Democrats have launched another attack against the East-West Rail link.

This is a Liberal Democrat who apparently demands that goods/delivery vehicles are banned from Oxford streets and everything should be delivered by rail - unless it is going to be delivered via a rail line adjacent to his house...

Complaint letter to "The Oxford Mail" here from a resident in the relevant Liberal Democrat Councillor's ward here:-

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/op...Councillor_on_wrong_track_over_use_of_trains/

"Another attack" - from you, you mean? In pursuit of your ever more bizarre obsession with these councillors.

As we know - see page 75 - the city council and Network Rail have reached an agreement on the number of trains and of what type that will run through Wolvercote and when - end of story.

 

[bb21]

Due to time constraints I have only been able to review the last 150 or so posts, from No. 1001 onwards.

I am going to request that from this point onwards, forum members refrain from discussing politics in this thread. All worthy points regarding the conduct of certain local councillors have already been given enough air time and the issue discussed to death so I see no need to waste more valuable forum resources on it while spoiling the enjoyment of the vast majority of contributors. Any further such posts will be deleted without exception with immediate effect and further disciplinary actions may be taken if this request is ignored.

I am sorry to have to take this drastic action. I don't think I have ever seen any thread so "tedious", to borrow a word from several contributors, despite having only read a few pages. The constant attack on a certain political party is spoiling an otherwise very informative thread on an important rail project.

If anyone wishes to discuss politics in relation to this project further, please do so in a new thread in the General Discussions forum.

 

[adrock1976]

Regarding the service level at Islip, had it used to be a similar level as to what will be proposed when the line reopens?

To me as an outsider it seems odd in that there are a few departures reasonably clustered together, then a huge gap, then a couple more clustered together.

I am thinking back to 1993 when the Network SouthEast sector of BR introduced direct services from Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, where it was introduced with no big fanfare or blaze of publicity, but appeared in the Birmingham - Leamington Spa local timetable booklet out of nowhere. The initial service frequency was a train every 2 hours from Birmingham SH to Marylebone, which was increased to one every 60 minutes, to the present day 2 every hour.

Perhaps for Islip, maybe a regular 2 hourly service throughout the day would be sufficient, increasing to hourly during the traditional Monday - Friday peaks?

 

[CarltonA]

I am thinking back to 1993 when the Network SouthEast sector of BR introduced direct services from Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, where it was introduced with no big fanfare or blaze of publicity, but appeared in the Birmingham - Leamington Spa local timetable booklet out of nowhere. The initial service frequency was a train every 2 hours from Birmingham SH to Marylebone, which was increased to one every 60 minutes, to the present day 2 every hour.

Perhaps for Islip, maybe a regular 2 hourly service throughout the day would be sufficient, increasing to hourly during the traditional Monday - Friday peaks?

Something I have wondered about before is if NSE once stretched as far as Snow Hill why does the Network Railcard not allow travel north of Banbury?

Anyway, I am looking forward to the new service. From Gerrards Cross it seems I will be able to change at Haddenham for the Oxford service. I will have to research how that will compare with the service from Slough, especially for the Cotswold line.

 

[Andyjs247]

Something I have wondered about before is if NSE once stretched as far as Snow Hill why does the Network Railcard not allow travel north of Banbury?

Anyway, I am looking forward to the new service. From Gerrards Cross it seems I will be able to change at Haddenham for the Oxford service. I will have to research how that will compare with the service from Slough, especially for the Cotswold line.

The NSE area only went as far as Banbury but trains continued beyond the boundary to Birmingham. Similarly with local LM/Silverlink services to New Street from Euston. They had to draw the line somewhere.

Most trains between PAD and the North Cotswolds also stop at Slough; it's probably going to be the better option still if you want to minimise changes.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
In other news, the BBC reported that the track is now finished between Oxford Parkway and the Chiltern main line with structures now complete.

Rob Brighouse, managing director at Chiltern Railways, said: "We have got an army of workers on site, they've been working now for 17 months.
"We've now completely laid the track between the Chiltern Mainline and Oxford Parkway, the final connection will be in September.
"The stations at Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village are now close to completion - the structures are complete and we are now working on the interiors.
"You will see the first Chiltern Train running from Oxford Parkway to London on 26 October."
The rebranding of Bicester Town station has proved controversial, with residents complaining of the undue focus given to the town's shopping outlet.

It would seem that signalling is being commissioned over the weekend of 1-2 August with London Road level crossing closed from 10pm on Friday 31 July – 6am on Monday 3 August 2015.

Essential work on testing signalling equipment and commissioning the new level crossing requires temporary closure of London Road level crossing as part of the upgrade of the railway line between Bicester and Oxford.

The level crossing will be closed to both traffic and pedestrians during these works.

I'm guessing the final connection at Bicester South Junction will be completed over the weekend of 12-13 September as that seems to be when Chiltern have major work between Princes Risborough, Bicester North and Aynho Junction planned.

 

[THC]

In other news, the BBC reported that the track is now finished between Oxford Parkway and the Chiltern main line with structures now complete.

Indeed so. Also reported here albeit with an erroneous Oxford Parkway opening date reported.

THC

 

[davetheguard]

The latest Rail magazine is reporting that track work between Oxford Parkway and Oxford itself has finally started this month; the track needs to be lowered and doubled through Wolvercote tunnel.

However, they also report that work at Oxford station itself to refurbish the parcel platform at the north end of the station for Chiltern use, is still awaiting planning approval from Oxford City Council.

Can anybody expand on the status of these pieces of work and the latest completion dates?

 

[cm39275]

In other news, the BBC reported that the track is now finished between Oxford Parkway and the Chiltern main line with structures now complete.
.

I have noticed when I have passed the site of Bicester town/village station the they are yet to install the footbridge betweeen to two platforms/lift towers.

 

[swt_passenger]

The latest Rail magazine is reporting that track work between Oxford Parkway and Oxford itself has finally started this month; the track needs to be lowered and doubled through Wolvercote tunnel.

However, they also report that work at Oxford station itself to refurbish the parcel platform at the north end of the station for Chiltern use, is still awaiting planning approval from Oxford City Council.

Following the same link as in post #824, NR have sent in revised drawings for the temporary accommodation building as of Jun 15th; so the 'prior approval' decision under permitted development rights (so not actually a planning application) is still awaited:

http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=NI47E1MF0QY00

The NR letter (7th document in the list) explains that it is dealing with overshadowing of local properties, so they have reduced the size of the top floor of their temporary building. As far as I can see from that application, the overshadowing issue is the only outstanding matter. There is still one objection from the residents as of 14th July, and one agreement to balance it.

 

[jimm]

Regarding the service level at Islip, had it used to be a similar level as to what will be proposed when the line reopens?

To me as an outsider it seems odd in that there are a few departures reasonably clustered together, then a huge gap, then a couple more clustered together.

I am thinking back to 1993 when the Network SouthEast sector of BR introduced direct services from Marylebone to Birmingham Snow Hill, where it was introduced with no big fanfare or blaze of publicity, but appeared in the Birmingham - Leamington Spa local timetable booklet out of nowhere. The initial service frequency was a train every 2 hours from Birmingham SH to Marylebone, which was increased to one every 60 minutes, to the present day 2 every hour.

Perhaps for Islip, maybe a regular 2 hourly service throughout the day would be sufficient, increasing to hourly during the traditional Monday - Friday peaks?

Service provided at Islip has waxed and waned with the fortunes of the Oxford-Bicester Town branch.

Prior to the closure in February last year for the rebuilding, all trains served both Islip and Bicester Town. There were 11 trains each way Mon-Thu, 12 on Fridays, 13 on Saturdays and nine on Sundays. This 'enhanced' timetable operated from 2009 backed by section 106 development funding from Bicester Village that was allocated for transport schemes. For some years before that there were just seven trains each way Mon-Sat and no Sunday services. That was a cut on what had gone before but I forget when the cuts were implemented.

Chiltern initially offered seven trains each way at Islip (the minimum PSR requirement), they then committed to eight at the public inquiry into the project. Obrag pointed out that traffic had effectively doubled post-2009 when the improved service made using the train in and out of Oxford a viable option all day, rather than the previous bare minimum and not very helpfully-timed service offered which just about worked for peak commuters. This is a link to the 2006 timetable, the Oxford-Bicester section is nine pages down from the top as table 3B.

http://www.obrag.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Oxford-Bicester.pdf

There is a sidebar on the Obrag website linking to a full list of the stories about the timetable which tracks developments on this front from 2009 for anyone interested.

 

[jimm]

The residents of Bicester will get the chance to find out all about life without being able to drive across the London Road level crossing for an extended period, as it will be closed to traffic from Monday August 10 until September 14, though pedestrian and cycle access will be maintained most of the time.

LONDON ROAD ROADWORKS AND TEMPORARY CLOSURE LEVEL CROSSING
Active: 7am Mon 10 August- 5am Mon 14 September 2015

We will be working on London Road between the Launton Road roundabout and the Mallards Way roundabout due to the installation of signalling on the railway corridor and improvement works to the highway related to the new station. Works will include excavations, street signs, street lighting, drainage, ducting, kerbing footway and carriageway works.

The level crossing will be closed to vehicles for the duration although access for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users will be maintained at all times except between 10pm Friday 11 September and 11.59pm Sunday 13 September 2015.

We will be providing a free wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to assist anyone who is unable to use an alternative route to complete their journey during the pedestrian closure. The taxis can be alighted at either side of the crossing.

Access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained from either the north or south side of the crossing for both vehicles and pedestrians, but please do take care when travelling through the roadworks.

http://www.bicestertooxfordcollaboration.com/diversions-and-notices/index.html

 

[midlandred]

Visited First Turn today to see progress with the road bridge adjacent to Wolvercote Tunnel - road bridge now demolished and temporary pedestrian footbridge open
Photos have been added to this gallery

 

[ironstone11]

Visited First Turn today to see progress with the road bridge adjacent to Wolvercote Tunnel - road bridge now demolished and temporary pedestrian footbridge open
Photos have been added to this gallery

Great stuff, thanks for posting. Good to see some progress in this area.

Pity about the graffiti on the tunnel portal. A recent addition I think?

 

[route:oxford]

Visited First Turn today to see progress with the road bridge adjacent to Wolvercote Tunnel - road bridge now demolished and temporary pedestrian footbridge open
Photos have been added to this gallery

If interested, the most recent Google Streetview pass was in June 2015 with the new Footbridge in place, but the heritage bridge still open. The windback shows images from 2012 and 2008.

 

[jimm]

Oxford City Council's west area planning committee is being recommended by planning officers to endorse the prior approval application from Network Rail for the bay platforms and staff accommodation at the north-east corner of Oxford station at its meeting tonight.

http://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/docu...ford Station Revised scheme 15 00096 PA11.pdf

Also a post from yesterday on the Obrag website says that Chiltern has confirmed to them that the line to Oxford Parkway will definitely open as planned on October 26, see http://www.obrag.org.uk - where there is also a link to a timetable supplied by Chiltern showing the options for Islip passengers to make connections at Oxford Parkway for stations beyond Bicester.

However, the bit of the post about trains reaching Oxford suggests Obrag is unaware that the noise and vibration mitigation measures in Oxford have been settled and that the Oxford station work is also set to be approved.

 

[davetheguard]

Oxford City Council's west area planning committee is being recommended by planning officers to endorse the prior approval application from Network Rail for the bay platforms and staff accommodation at the north-east corner of Oxford station at its meeting tonight.

http://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/docu...ford Station Revised scheme 15 00096 PA11.pdf

Also a post from yesterday on the Obrag website says that Chiltern has confirmed to them that the line to Oxford Parkway will definitely open as planned on October 26, see http://www.obrag.org.uk - where there is also a link to a timetable supplied by Chiltern showing the options for Islip passengers to make connections at Oxford Parkway for stations beyond Bicester.

However, the bit of the post about trains reaching Oxford suggests Obrag is unaware that the noise and vibration mitigation measures in Oxford have been settled and that the Oxford station work is also set to be approved.

Thanks for the update jimm.

The bit on Obrag's site about extension of the railway back to Oxford main station made me smile: "failure of NR to secure planning permission from Oxford City Council in time......" (my italics).

Oh, so nothing at all to do with the apparent inability of Oxford City Council to make any sort of decision on anything in a timely efficient manner, then.

Network Rail aren't perfect by any means, but I don't think it's right to blame them for this one!

 

[swt_passenger]

The planning officers report is neatly batting away that remaining single resident's objection (that I mentioned in post 1156 above), politely explaining (as they do) that the light issue he's complaining about is 60m away from his house.

In the view of officers this objection, while sincerely made, has no foundation...

Hopefully he won't complain to one of the higher courts...

 

[Andyjs247]

Was a little surprised this morning to see what are possibly the first piles for the forthcoming electrification around the Gavray Junction area in Bicester. From the bridge at Tubbs Lane can be seen 5 tubular steel piles which at the moment stand proud by about 2m. There's 3 just on the up side west of the bridge plus a pair to the east by the junction. Not sure if there are any others yet as I will have to investigate further.

I will post some pics later when I get a chance in the East West thread. I guess it makes sense to do some electrification work now ahead of the passenger service to Marylebone starting in October, but really just pleasantly surprised to see anything at this stage bearing in mind previous announcements and supposed lack of design/planning on EWR scheme so far.

 

[jimm]

The councillors gave their consent last night, so now it just remains to be seen if Network Rail can pull everything together in time for Chiltern's trains to reach the station next spring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-33880512

Was a little surprised this morning to see what are possibly the first piles for the forthcoming electrification around the Gavray Junction area in Bicester. From the bridge at Tubbs Lane can be seen 5 tubular steel piles which at the moment stand proud by about 2m. There's 3 just on the up side west of the bridge plus a pair to the east by the junction. Not sure if there are any others yet as I will have to investigate further.

I will post some pics later when I get a chance in the East West thread. I guess it makes sense to do some electrification work now ahead of the passenger service to Marylebone starting in October, but really just pleasantly surprised to see anything at this stage bearing in mind previous announcements and supposed lack of design/planning on EWR scheme so far.

I assume that the junction is classed as a tricky location in which to do piling and probably won't be suitable for the high-output train or something similar to work in, given the curvature and point work, so it is probably far easier, as you suggest, to get in and do it now while there aren't lots of trains passing by in the knowledge that the piles will eventually be used for wiring, even if it is a few years off.

 

[FordFocus]

Was a little surprised this morning to see what are possibly the first piles for the forthcoming electrification around the Gavray Junction area in Bicester. From the bridge at Tubbs Lane can be seen 5 tubular steel piles which at the moment stand proud by about 2m. There's 3 just on the up side west of the bridge plus a pair to the east by the junction. Not sure if there are any others yet as I will have to investigate further.

I will post some pics later when I get a chance in the East West thread. I guess it makes sense to do some electrification work now ahead of the passenger service to Marylebone starting in October, but really just pleasantly surprised to see anything at this stage bearing in mind previous announcements and supposed lack of design/planning on EWR scheme so far.

Sounds like signalling posts awaiting the signal heads to be fitted

 

[edwin_m]

Sounds like signalling posts awaiting the signal heads to be fitted

Three together on the same side sounds a lot for signals.

 

[The Planner]

Tend to agree, but it is bidirectionally signaled.

 

[Andyjs247]

I've managed to upload some photos here in the East West Rail thread.

http://www.railforums.co.uk/showpost.php?p=2263488&postcount=180

These piles could be signalling related but I think electrification is more likely. With London Road level crossing being closed to road traffic now until 14 September I have not been down to that part of town for a week and so I've not had a chance to investigate further or see if there any other piles elsewhere.