Villagers’ train station wish could be granted

Villagers set to be blighted by HS2 are campaigning to bring a train station to their doorsteps – and Network Rail likes the idea.
East West Rail clearance workEast West Rail clearance work
East West Rail clearance work

Parish councillors have petitioned for a Steeple Claydon station in Queen Catherine Road, which would sit on the new East West rail line between Oxford and Milton Keynes due to be up and running by 2019.

The line also has stops at Winslow and Bicester, while there is a spur line between Aylesbury, Winslow and Milton Keynes.

Deputy chairman of the parish council Edi Smockum said: “It would be really beneficial to the area and we are positive about it.

“I don’t know how much HS2 have got to consider but I think it is a very reasonable suggestion.

“There are a lot of commuters that would utilise it, we’ve got quite a young village and we are hoping it takes the traffic away.”

Bucks County Council is also hoping to see a Steeple Claydon station built as part of HS2 mitigation arrangements.

Network Rail is upgrading the mothballed line between Bedford, Oxford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

It will transport commuters and freight, once it opens in spring 2019.

Steeple Claydon sits next to the proposed site of an HS2 infrastructure depot which could be served through a village station.

A spokesman for Network Rail said: “We will be looking to make passive provision proposals for a station at the proposed Queen Catherine Road location.

“This is specified by the Department for Transport and supported by the East West Rail Consortium.

“We want the benefit of East West Rail and HS2 to be as great as possible and will continue to assess how the two will interact.

“We are looking at how East West Rail can be future-proofed to accommodate further development which will add even more value and benefit to the overall project.”