Oxford – you’re getting a brand new train line (kind of)! It’s officially full steam ahead for the reopening of Cowley Branch Line.
The Cowley line has existed for decade, but it hasn’t served passenger trains since 1963. Right now, it’s only used by freight trains going to and from the BMW Mini Plant in Cowley, but that’s all about to change. Network Rail has confirmed that the line will reopen to passengers.
This week, the UK government has pledged £120 million to the transformation of the Cowley Branch Line, as part of the £500 million in funding going towards better links Oxford and Cambridge and ambitions to turn the region into the ‘European Silicon Valley’.
The line will connect Littlemore, Cowley, Blackbird Leys and Greater Leys to central Oxford in under 10 minutes, with two new stations built at Cowley and Littlemore. It will help create up to 10,000 new jobs in the area, is forecast to attract nearly one million return journeys a year and will help to reduce congestion around the city.
Susan Brown, Oxford City Council leader, said: ‘The Cowley Branch Line is the single most important piece of infrastructure for connecting local communities and businesses in south and east Oxford.
‘It will give access to more amenities and jobs, help to cut congestion, meet our climate targets, and unlock new homes and jobs.’
Rob Brighouse, chair of Oxford Strategic Rail Promoters' Group, called it a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’.
Local institutions like the Oxford Science Park and University of Oxford have also expressed their support for the line. Irene Tracey, Oxford uni’s vice chancellor, said: ‘The Cowley Branch Line will stitch together our science parks, hospitals and new cultural spaces so that ideas, researchers and local residents can move more easily across our city – and out to London – every day.
‘As Oxford accelerates initiatives like the Oxfordshire Strategic Innovation Taskforce, today’s decision is a practical step toward the inclusive, sustainable and fair prosperity we want to see for our communities.’
As for next steps, Oxford City Council needs to discuss the additional infrastructure needed, such as like new bridges or pedestrian and cycle routes, to make the stations more accessible to the local communities. The department for transport said that it will appoint an operator and confirm the route for the Cowley line ‘in due course’.
If detailed designs commence in early 2026 as planned, the Cowley Branch Line could reopen for passengers by 2029.
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