AN OXFORD MP and key business leaders took a trip around the city to push for the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line to passengers.

Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, was joined by Chiltern Railways and Oxford Business Park bosses on a special walk to outline the impact the rail service could have in the clogged city.

The line, currently used for freight by BMW, has been shut to passengers since 1963 but yesterday Ms Dodds urged the Government to give the project ‘concrete backing’.

If funding is provided, the line could reopen as soon as the end of 2019.

Ms Dodds said: “This is to show that it’s a real possibility and that we should have it open to passengers. It wouldn’t be a huge financial commitment to open it and it would pay for itself quite quickly.

“Anyone in the Blackbird Leys or Cowley areas knows how long it can take to get into town, and conversely people in the science park know how difficult it can be to get to it.”

Chiltern Railways sponsored a test train on the line back in 2014.

Dave Penney, the company’s managing director, said: “For us that was the start of highlighting awareness that you can make incremental improvements to the railway network that would revitalise the economy.

“If you could run a service through to Bicester, you’re connecting the housing that’s being developed to the employment here. For us it’s a win-win.

“We think it’s a really achievable scheme and we’re hoping to get everyone behind it to make it a reality.”

Dan Williams, Oxford Business Park’s development director, is also keen to reopen the line as soon as possible.

He said: “I think the improvements, socially and economically, would be huge. I can’t imagine there are many projects like this where the financial contribution is so little compared to the potential improvements.”

If – or when – the line is reopened to the public, it could mean a less stressful journey for the 3,500 people who work at the business park. They include major employers like Oxfam, British Gas and BT.

Ms Dodds’ tour took roads alongside the railway line from Cowley to Littlemore, to Hinksey Park, to Devil’s Backbone and then Oxford Station.

The touring party was later joined at the station by other businesses including Great Western Railway.