£14.5M rail project to “inevitably” delay traffic congestion improvements in Oxfordshire
The Lib Dem administration has explained it hopes to recoup “some, if not all” of the funds in future legal agreements for new development
Plans to improve traffic congestion on Oxfordshire’s roads will “inevitably” be delayed as an additional £14.5 million is allocated to a rail project, county leaders have been warned.
Concerns have been raised about the choice to spend business rate cash from the Science Vale on ‘forward funding’ for a £155 million scheme to reopen the Cowley Branch Line to passengers for the first time in 60 years.
The decision, made at a county cabinet meeting on Tuesday, July 14, was described as “opaque”, “lacking consultation” or “engagement”, according to a district leader, amid fears funding has been “diverted”.
The money will enable the building of new stations near the ring road by Sandy Lane Recreation Ground (Oxford Cowley) and the science park (Oxford Littlemore) to go ahead.
County transport boss, Gareth Epps, a former independent HS2 construction commissioner, said the £14.5 million can ensure the line is “delivered on time, on budget” and enable further rail plans, including a proposed Wantage and Grove station.
The majority of the project’s funding is being covered by Network Rail, but local businesses and organisations are required to contribute £47.5 million towards the scheme and its infrastructure.
Currently, £33 million has been committed, including funding by city and county councils, leaving a multimillion-pound gap which is now set to be filled using business rates taken from Oxfordshire’s two enterprise zones – Science Vale UK and the Didcot Growth Accelerator, covering Milton Park, Harwell Campus and north Didcot.
The Lib Dem administration has explained it hopes to recoup “some, if not all” of the funds in future legal agreements for new development, which the plans could generate.
Proposals for the line state it “accelerates” the building of 6,000 homes and “unlocks” 5,000 to 10,000 more.
Lib Dem county councillor and leader of Vale of White Horse, Bethia Thomas, said many people had spoken to her, questioning the process which has seen the money allocated, calling it “opaque, lacking consultation and the appropriate level of stakeholder engagement”.
She said: “The allocation of these funds minimises the benefits to the communities in which they are generated.”
Ms Thomas added that communities “hosting” the major research hubs were “led to believe there would be transparency” in how money raised from them was spent, especially if this is not directly to their benefit.
The scheme aims to enable Cowley and Littlemore residents to take a 10-minute train into Oxford by 2029, “getting traffic off the A34 and onto the rail”, according to Mr Epps, but concerns have been raised about congestion impact with “delay” to other projects.
Chairman of Sutton Courtenay Parish Council, Rita Atkinson, described the use of the business rates as progressing with “almost no consultation despite its significant implications for the Science Vale area”.
She said using the enterprise funding for the Cowley line would “inevitably delay the infrastructure improvements plan” for the areas where research blocks have been built, which could “reduce commuter congestion” and “ease” the impact of “rat runs” through communities when “the A34 is gridlocked and traffic diverts”.
Ms Atkinson called the situation a “reallocation” away from the communities impacted calling for a consultation and risk assessment.
Deputy Oxfordshire leader acknowledged “it has taken us as a county council too long to get to consultation”, adding “we are doing some things in an order that would not be ideal in an ideal world”.
The cabinet meeting also heard concerns that funding for an A34 cycle bridge is being “diverted” to the railway, which the county council denies.
County environment and economy boss, Laura Gordon (Lib Dem), said the money taken from the enterprise zones can be used anywhere in Oxfordshire, adding “half of funds have already been spent” in the surrounding areas.
Mr Epps said the Cowley Branch Line is “clearly vitally important for the equity of our county and to increase opportunities for some of the most deprived neighbourhoods”.
He explained Elizabeth Line-style borrowing against future fares had been explored as an option to fund the project, alongside other funding options, but that these were not possible or would have seen increased spending on interest.
Oxfordshire leader Tim Bearder said: “There are other ways we could fund this, we could borrow money, but of course that would be more expensive, so in terms of the best option for the council taxpayer, this is a very sensible option.”
The decision was made ahead of announcements on the future of local government reorganisation in order to “futureproof” the scheme.
The railway was closed to passengers in 1963 and has since only been used by freight traffic to and from the BMW Mini Plant since then.
Advocates of its restoration have included the city council and Anneliese Dodds MP (Labour).
When government funding was announced for the plan, Ms Dodds said: “I’m delighted that after years of campaigning for the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line, alongside local residents, this is finally going to become a reality.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has pushed for the line to be reopened for so many years.
“The reopened branch line will make a massive difference to local residents, slashing travel times and reducing congestion.”
City leader, Susan Brown (Labour) said: “The Cowley Branch Line is the single most important piece of infrastructure for connecting local communities and businesses in south and east Oxford.
“It will give access to more amenities and jobs, help to cut congestion, meet our climate targets, and unlock new homes and jobs.”