A single-lane passage running underneath the railway has emerged as a preferred option for dealing with the London Road level crossing in Bicester as a fresh round of East West Rail engagement begins.
East West Rail Company has kicked off a comprehensive eight-week public engagement on the latest route options linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
The engagement window ends on Tuesday, 9 June 2026, offering communities along the route the opportunity to share their views.
Feedback gathered will shape the final design ahead of a Development Consent Order application for central government backing the following year.
A brand new fully accessible one-lane vehicle underpass has been selected as the favoured option to replace the London Road crossing in Bicester.
Its delivery hinges on securing external financing, with Oxfordshire County Council working hand-in-hand with the national Government to develop and fund the scheme.
The proposal includes a single-lane road for motorised traffic alongside a separate active travel route for pedestrians and cyclists.
This solution fits within Bicester’s wider connectivity blueprint. It is expected to cut waiting times and bottlenecks caused by barrier closures, boost safety for road users and improve punctuality for bus operations and emergency services.
The underpass will feature a height restriction, and a separate route for heavy goods vehicles will be identified.
Further traffic studies and detailed environmental assessments are underway to refine the junction improvement proposals.
A new active travel amenity is planned south of Bicester Village station, featuring cycle parking, an upgraded bus stop and a private vehicle drop-off and pick-up area.
A sloped earth bank along part of the underpass entrance will create a more open and lighter underpass, protect public spaces and pathways and establish a direct walking link from the station to Langford.
Hybrid electric and battery-powered trains are slated to run on the railway, including connections between Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village.
A series of face-to-face consultation events are being held across the route, with online sessions arranged for 20 April, 6 May and 2 June.
As many as five services per hour, each comprising up to five coaches, could operate along the full route during busy periods to meet rising demand and allow service extensions across the wider rail network.
New stations and line sections will open as construction finishes, with the entire railway anticipated to be functioning by the mid-to-late 2030s.
David Hughes, Chief Executive of EWR Co, said the updated proposals represent significant progress.
He added that the aim is delivering a better rail service for everyone, with plans including more frequent and higher capacity trains, a preferred single solution for the London Road crossing and improvements at Bicester Village.