Agenda item

The Committee has requested a report on OxRAIL: 2040: Plan for Rail after the public consultation and before it is submitted to Cabinet for approval.

The Committee has invited Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, to present the report as well as Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Pete Brunskill, Rail Development Lead, to answer the Committee’s questions.

The Committee is asked to consider the report and raise any questions, and to AGREE any recommendations it wishes to make to Cabinet arising therefrom.

The Committee invited Cllr Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, to present the report as well as Robin Rogers, Director of Economy and Place, and Pete Brunskill, Rail Development Lead, to answer the Committee’s questions.

The Cabinet Member and Director of Economy and Place introduced the OxRail 2040 report, emphasising its ambitious scope, year-long development, and the exceptional number of consultation responses it received. Widely supported, the plan aims to outline Oxfordshire’s connectivity needs and build a strong investment case, with a focus on achievable outcomes. They noted recent government approval for the Cowley branch line as a key milestone. The Rail Development Lead highlighted intensified planning efforts since June, including collaboration with WSP consultancy, broad engagement across the council and rail industry, and significant stakeholder support. The recent release of the Government’s Railways Bill was mentioned as aligning with the plan’s aspirations and providing future opportunities for mayoral authorities in rail development.

The Committee raised the following questions:

·       How would the plan remain a living document, expressing concern that it might become static and unused, and sought clarification on how flexibility would be maintained to adapt to opportunities and changes. Officers responded that the plan had been designed with ongoing partnership structures and regular engagement with rail operators and infrastructure providers, ensuring relationships and project updates would continue through organisational changes. Officers stated that the plan would be revisited and updated as projects progressed, with live groups working on specific stations and studies, and that monitoring and evaluation frameworks were included to support ongoing review and adaptation, so the document would remain relevant and responsive. 

·       Whether any proposals had been considered but excluded from the plan due to a lack of support from the rail industry. Officers replied that nearly all items with a realistic pathway to delivery had been included, and nothing significant had been omitted for lack of industry support. The only example given was the proposed "science line," which the rail industry felt was excessive alongside the Oxfordshire Metro concept, so it was removed; otherwise, the plan reflected projects with industry backing and feasible delivery routes.

·       Members asked about the climate impact assessment, specifically whether the plan could be more ambitious regarding biodiversity net gain, such as planting wildflowers and hedgerows along railway lines, and whether unused rail land could be used for housing. Officers responded that biodiversity and environmental improvements were central to the plan, with ongoing discussions about greening infrastructure and collaboration with Network Rail’s climate action team, including proposals for local solar power. The importance of ambitious biodiversity measures, was acknowledged, and Officers confirmed that housing near railways was being considered in partnership with the new rail property company, with master planning for stations like Banbury.

·       Members enquired whether unused rail land could be utilised for housing, noting the potential for well-insulated homes near railway lines. Officers replied that this approach was supported by government policy and was a mission of the new rail property company, Platform, to bring forward housing near railways. Officers cited examples of successful developments and expressed a desire to see more housing around stations like Banbury, highlighting the benefits of connectivity and reduced car dependency. 

·       Concerns were raised regarding differing feasibility studies by Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council on the proposed Witney–Carterton–Oxford rail line, with fears that high-density development along the A40 corridor could exacerbate congestion even if a railway is built. Officers clarified that development should not rely on the rail line’s delivery, as it is not guaranteed. Officers stressed the need to explore mass rapid transit alternatives, including rail and other options, and highlighted ongoing collaboration between planning teams. A new study on a mass rapid transit corridor is underway to inform future development and transport strategies for the A40 corridor.

·       How the strategy would improve the volume of train services across the county, referencing issues such as overcrowded two-carriage trains. Officers responded that recent and planned investments would bring more frequent and higher-capacity trains, including new five-carriage battery-electric units, and that the Oxfordshire Metro concept aimed to deliver a significant uplift in service frequency and quality. They also mentioned that rolling stock improvements and increased services were being supported by both the rail industry and government, with the aim of transforming public transport provision in the area.

·       Officers stated that the strategy prioritised rural connectivity, including villages and communities far from stations, by focusing on active travel links and improved access. The consultation engaged with neighbouring authorities and community rail partnerships to address the needs of rural residents and support cross-boundary travel.

·       The strategy could benefit from a more explicit identification of the organisations responsible for delivery, clarification of the council’s role as an influencer, recognition of relevant dependencies, and inclusion of realistic timelines for the four priority programmes. Officers concurred, noting that detailed lead responsibilities, dependencies, and anticipated timeframes, potentially presented in a table or roadmap, would enhance public understanding and may be incorporated into future iterations of the plan.  

·       The issue of accessibility for wheelchair users and others at existing transport hubs and stations was raised. Officers stated that accessibility is a core aspect of the plan, with upgrades scheduled for all current stations to comply with present standards, including improved access, level boarding, and facilities for disabled passengers. They also referred to the creation of an Oxfordshire stations action plan and indicated that accessibility improvements are part of planned station upgrades.

The Committee noted that it was open to the Cabinet member to make the amendments proposed by Mr Maynard and AGREED to recommendations under the following headings:

• That the Council should undertake sufficient work to identify options and feasibility for mass rapid transit solutions for West Oxfordshire in time to allow that information to be used meaningfully and to be incorporated into the West Oxfordshire District Council Local Plan 2043.
• That the Council should identify the areas of opportunity for development of housing near railway lines and the steps it intends to take to enable delivery as part of the Plan.
• That the Council should include maps within the OxRail 2040 Plan to illustrate the potential of an integrated transport network by overlaying major bus routes onto projected rail maps.
• That the Council works with the local City and District Councils to identify suitable locations for land to be allocated to the infrastructure required to support greater modal shift towards railway freight.
• That the Council should clarify within the Plan where primary responsibility for the key deliverables sits, what the Council’s involvement is, the dependencies on which they rest, and an assessment of likely timescales.