Hourly train service connecting Bristol to Oxford could start next year

An hourly train service connecting Bristol to Oxford could start next year if proposals are approved by the Government.

The service would run every day, with stops at Bath Spa, Chippenham and Swindon.

Travellers are currently required to change at Didcot Parkway between Oxford and Swindon.

Great Western Railway has been running a trial of the service since September but with just two return trains running on Saturdays only.

The plans are being put forward by regional transport body England’s Economic Heartland (EEH), whose members include Oxfordshire County Council.

Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman, who chairs the EEH, said: “This is a low-cost, quick-to-deliver proposal which would transform Oxford’s westwards connectivity to economic centres including Swindon and Bristol.

“It will encourage more people to switch from car to public transport, particularly between Oxford and Swindon, where journey times and congestion by road are a longstanding issue.”

Swindon Borough Council’s Chris Watts said: “We are extremely keen to improve our transport links to Oxford, so we can strengthen our relationships with educational institutions.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council are also said to support the proposals, as well as Great Western Railway and Network Rail.