WORK to extend the platforms at Oxford Station is well underway, and trains could be running direct to London Marylebone by the end of the year.

Network Rail workers have been busy demolishing existing canopies and carriages which have stood at the station for more than 30 years to create space for the East West Rail service to run to the capital from December.

The operational building currently used by rail staff and as storage for the station's shops has to be demolished and relocated as part of the scheme.

The canopy opposite platform three was knocked down earlier this month and two utility carriages used for transporting mail and parcels – originally meant to be donated to West Somerset Heritage Centre – have been scrapped on site.

Network Rail spokeswoman Victoria Bradley said the project was progressing well.

She said: "Our work to build two new platforms at Oxford station as part of our Railway Upgrade Plan is progressing well.

"These platforms are essential to enable services to run between Oxford station and Oxford Parkway station, providing passengers with a new rail link across Oxford and more services into central London."

The project to increase the capacity at the station could take up to twelve months, but December 12 is the expected date for the first train to run between Oxford and Oxford Parkway.

The latter opened in October last year and managing director of Chiltern Railways, Dave Penney, said the work would bring "significant economic benefit".

He said: "Work to complete the first new rail link between a major British city and London in over 100 years is continuing at Oxford station.

"The new Chiltern Railways line provides customers from Oxford city centre with more trains to London and provides a new route for the many business and leisure visitors to the city bringing significant economic benefit to the region."

A spring opening had originally been expected for the line but Chiltern Railways said problems getting planning consents were partly to blame for the six-month delay.

Network Rail – which deals with railway infrastructure – needed Oxford City Council to sign off conditions for noise and vibration to finish building tracks through North Oxford, but had faced persistent objections from nearby residents.

Residents living next to the tracks claimed they already suffer from excessive noise and vibrations and that more frequent trains would worsen the problem