Full business case to be developed for 2026 Oxford-Cowley reopening

The Oxford to Cowley branch could reopen to passenger services in December 2026, after Oxford City Council unanimously voted on January 30 to approve a capital budget of £4.56 million to deliver the next phase of the project.

This will pay for a Full Business Case (FBC) for plans to reopen the line to passengers. The opening date would rely on securing project funding.

The two-mile branch leaves the main line south of Oxford, near Hinksey Yard, and is currently used for freight serving the BMW plant.

A proposed station (next to Oxford Science Park, Littlemore and the Ozone Leisure Complex) would be called Oxford South. A second proposed station, called Oxford East, would be next to ARC Oxford (formerly Oxford Business Park), Oxford Retail Park and Blackbird Leys.  

To read the full story, see RAIL 977.

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