Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Infrastructure and Development Strategy

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/104

Contact: Pete Brunskill, Rail Development Lead

Pete.brunskill@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Economy and Place (CA12)

The Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

(a)           Approve for publication and adopt the OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail (the Plan) in Annex 1 to this report (as a daughter document to the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan)

(b)           Delegate to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, to make final amendments to the Plan as necessary following meetings of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting and Cabinet.

Recommendations approved.

With regard to recommendation b, the Cabinet agreed to make the following changes to the plan proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council :-

P37 - "we will continue to develop options for medium- to longer-term mass rapid transit (which may include rail) for this corridor to identify deliverable plans and financing mechanisms for its implementation potentially within this plan period (P3.05)"

P80 text be amended to align with the P37 text and reads: "We will continue to explore the case for a Carterton–Witney–Oxford Mass Rapid Transit system (P3.05), to identify the most suitable solution to enhance public transport access to the west of our County."

Cabinet received a report recommending approval of the OXRAIL 2040,a strategic rail transport plan for Oxfordshire covering the next 15 years. The plan is designed to integrate with the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) and aims to improve rail connectivity, support economic growth, and address climate action and place shaping priorities within the county.

Key priorities include expanding capacity at Oxford station, electrification and freight decarbonisation, the Oxfordshire Metro concept, and new stations to improve access to jobs and housing.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, presented the report.

Cabinet was addressed by a number of speakers who spoke in favour of the report and its recommendations.

Following an address by Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council, and with regard to recommendation b, the Cabinet agreed to make the following changes to the plan proposed by Councillor Andy Graham, Leader of West Oxfordshire District Council :-

P37 - "we will continue to develop options for medium- to longer-term mass rapid transit (which may include rail) for this corridor to identify deliverable plans and financing mechanisms for its implementation potentially within this plan period (P3.05)"

P80 text be amended to align with the P37 text and reads: "We will continue to explore the case for a Carterton–Witney–Oxford Mass Rapid Transit system (P3.05), to identify the most suitable solution to enhance public transport access to the west of our County."

During discussion, members emphasised the need for innovative financing, such as land value capture and section 106 contributions, and building local authority capability for project delivery, rather than relying solely on the rail industry.

Members also noted that the plan aligned with the Growth Commission's objectives and the local transport and connectivity plan, aiming for joined-up planning across housing, employment, and transport, and ensuring readiness for future funding and strategic opportunities.

Councillor Roberts moved and Councillor Leffman seconded the recommendations, and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

(a)           Approve for publication and adopt the OxRAIL 2040: Plan for Rail (the Plan) in Annex 1 to this report (as a daughter document to the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan), subject to the amendments minuted above

(b)           Delegate to the Director of Economy and Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, to make final amendments to the Plan as necessary following the meetings of the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 12 November 2025 and this Cabinet.