An Oxfordshire MP is presenting a petition to Parliament today which opposes the closure of a level crossing in Bicester.

The crossing is on the London side of Bicester Village station, on the B4100 London Road. The B4100 is a major route for traffic in Bicester, and there are calls for an underpass instead.

At the moment the trains using the crossing are those between Oxford and London Marylebone, but the number of trains will increase significantly later this year when East West Rail trains from Oxford start running to Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central. In the years ahead, EWR will be extended to Bedford over the existing Marston Vale Line, and then on to Cambridge when a new line has been built, further increasing the number of trains through Bicester Village.

East West Rail has suggested a footbridge in London Road for pedestrians and cyclists, but motorists would have to find another route. The nearest bridge over the line is on the A41, which is the other side of Bicester Village station, but this is already congested in peak hours.

Bicester and Woodstock MP Calum Miller launched the petition, which has gathered more than 4,000 signatures.

He had previously written to Chancellor Rachel Reeves last October, saying: ‘There is support for the new rail line but also a belief that its opening should not unfairly affect one town. They do not want to see Bicester cut in two.’

EWR said: ‘We welcome the public's continued interest in this important issue and continue to assess all the potential solutions for the London Road level crossing.

‘Whilst this work is being carried out we are working closely with our local stakeholders, including Calum Miller MP and the local councils.’

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