Concerns have been raised that the proposed White Horse Reservoir could affect the restoration of Wantage and Grove railway station, despite the project entering a significant phase of development.
Andy Holding, founder of the Wantage & Grove Station Supporters Group, said any postponement linked to the reservoir would be unacceptable and remains his principal concern.
Oxfordshire County Council confirmed that it is discussing the reservoir’s possible effects with Thames Water.
The utility’s delivery director, Leonie Dubois, said engagement with the authority is continuing to ensure both the station and reservoir schemes can proceed.
An SLC Rail study has set out a strong strategic case for reopening the station.
This represents the initial stage of the Department for Transport’s business-case process for potential projects.
Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport Gareth Epps said enhanced rail services would be central to meeting the authority’s targets under its local transport and connectivity plan.
He described Wantage and Grove as well placed to benefit because of its Science Vale connections and expanding population.
The original station operated for more than a century before closing in 1964 during the Beeching cuts.
Although the SLC Rail assessment supports restoration, it also identified obstacles surrounding train provision, complicated infrastructure requirements and Thames Water’s plans for a nearby reservoir.
The White Horse Reservoir is intended to contain 150bn litres and cover 6.7 sq km, equivalent to 2.6 sq miles, making it almost the size of Gatwick Airport.
If built, it would become the UK’s second-largest reservoir.
Thames Water held an 11-week statutory consultation from October 2025 to January 2026 and received approximately 2,500 responses.
Dubois referred to the recent hot summer when arguing that national investment in water supplies was vital.
She said the reservoir could safeguard provisions for 15 million people across the South East, serving customers of Thames Water, Affinity Water and Southern Water.
She also acknowledged the potential advantages of a new Wantage & Grove station and said discussions with the council are intended to enable successful delivery of both schemes.
SLC Rail estimated that the station could handle around 1,400 passengers daily, although Holding believes the figure could approach 2,000.
He said completion of the study was an important milestone, with further work required to examine the proposal in greater detail and identify an appropriate location for the rail hub.
Olly Glover, the MP for Wantage, has raised the station at Prime Minister’s Questions.
He said Network Rail must next undertake timetable analysis and network strategy work to assess possible layouts and train-service patterns.
As a Liberal Democrat, Glover said he intends to continue supporting the scheme.
Holding believes Wantage and Grove could become one of Oxfordshire’s busiest stations and that the investment would generate wider economic benefits.
Last week, Oxfordshire County Council authorised £10 million from the South Oxfordshire and Vale Enterprise Zones.
More than half of that sum is earmarked for improvements to the Cowley Branch Line and rail facilities in Oxford city.
No funding was assigned to Wantage and Grove, but Holding said he was not worried because he expected the funds to be secured later.