A £69m fund to upgrade Oxford's railway station is an 'important step' to reopening the Cowley Branch Line.

The cash will be used to improve capacity on the railway as it runs through Oxford and to start development of a new western entrance to the train station.

But what will it mean for the future of the city?

Future rail commuting

The news of the investment has been welcomed by civic leaders in Oxford, including Susan Brown, the city council's leader, who said she was committed to making the station a 'worthy gateway to our city'.

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She added improving capacity was an 'important step' in other future plans for rail travel in Oxford, including the Cowley Branch Line, a long-discussed project which would allow people to commute by rail from Cowley into the city centre.

Another plan which relies on upgrades to the Oxfordshire rail corridor is a proposal for a new line between Oxford and Witney, currently being championed by a campaigning organisation called the Witney to Oxford Transport Group.

A train at Oxford station. Picture: Network Rail

A train at Oxford station. Picture: Network Rail

However, for any branch line to go ahead, funding and a business case would need to be drawn up by Network Rail.

Council leader Ms Brown added: “Rail will be an important part of the city, the county’s and the region’s economic recovery and this funding will enable Oxford’s railway station to support the transport links we need for the future.

"Improving rail connectivity into and through Oxford will help tackle congestion and provide fast, low-carbon transport."

'Worthy gateway' of better station

The capacity upgrades at Oxford will include extra railway tracks running through the station, and a new 'island platform'.

A new station entrance on the west side of the railway tracks, which will link to the new island platform by a subway, is not yet being built as a result of the new funding.

But some of the cash will be used to fund the development of plans for this new station entrance.

How the new west entrance to Oxford train station would look. Picture: Network Rail

How the new west entrance to Oxford train station would look. Picture: Network Rail

The new entrance, showcased in newly released computer generated images, would be opened alongside the current entrance to the east of the railway tracks.

Before construction of this entrance goes ahead, planning permission and more funding is needed.

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There are also plans for a new rail bridge over the Botley Road as it enters Oxford.

The road running under this new bridge could also be lowered in future, so double decker buses could pass under it.

How the new Botley Road rail bridge would look. Picture: Network Rail

How the new Botley Road rail bridge would look. Picture: Network Rail

Shared pedestrian and cycle paths would also run under the bridge.

Plans for new level crossings north of Oxford at Sandy Lane and Yarnton Lane, as well as three high-speed crossovers at Oxford North Junction will also be funded by cash from the current announcement.

The amount of funding needed

Network Rail had originally bid for £160m for the project last year, the total amount it said it needed for all the works.

It has currently only received £69m, but plans to make a bid for further cash this year, which it is hoped will be signed off by the Government in 2022.

It is understood the Department for Transport releases cash for big rail projects incrementally, in case work proves to be more expensive than originally planned.

Oxford train station platform. Picture: Network Rail

Oxford train station platform. Picture: Network Rail

A Network Rail spokesman said another £80m to £90m would likely be requested in this further bid, and added once the work was complete a 'suite of further improvements' to the railways around Oxford could be carried out.

These plans, which may include branch railway lines, are likely to be set out in a study due to be released in June.

What happens to the Youth Hostel?

The new station entrance planned for the west side of the railway tracks is planned for the site currently occupied by the Oxford Youth Hostel.

YHA did not reply to request for comment, but a Network Rail spokesman said it was 'currently in discussions with the Youth Hostel about their potential relocation but no decisions have been made yet at this stage'.

East-West Rail

A Network Rail director has said the capacity upgrades will help to lay the ground for East-West Rail, a new rail connection between Oxford and Cambridge.

Claire Mahoney, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “The rail network in Oxfordshire plays a vital role in transporting passengers and freight around the country.

“With Oxford station close to full capacity, these plans for a new platform and western entrance are key to enabling an increase in passenger services, such as East-West Rail, as well as paving the way for wider station development in the future.”

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The newly announced funding is part of a much wider £401m the Government is pumping into rail upgrades across England.

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Our investment in Oxford’s rail infrastructure will enable major improvements to freight links between the Port of Southampton and the Midlands, and pave the way for improved passenger services.

“Modernising and upgrading our vital transport links is critical to levelling up every part of this country, unleashing our economy and spreading opportunity.”