Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Tony Baldry (Conservative). It was answered on Tuesday, 28 June 2005 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

East-west Rail Links

Question: This is all complete pie in the sky, because the Strategic Rail Authority is killing off such railways as still exist between Oxford and Bicester. It is reducing the service from seven trains a day each way to just two, with no service after 4 o'clock in the afternoon. This discussion is totally pointless because the SRA is closing down the line. Talking about the east-west rail link when there is not even a link between Oxford and Bicester Town is completely meaningless. The SRA just does not care, because it will pass on its responsibilities to Ministers in the near future. Will Ministers therefore please get a grip on this issue? For the sake of my constituents and many others in Oxford who rely on these services to get into work or for the purpose of recreation or study, will the Minister get to grips with the SRA and at least try to ensure that the line between Oxford and Bicester survives, even if we do not get the east-west rail link for some years to come?

Answer: Obviously, we have to take into account capacity and demand, including the number of passengers using that service. My hon. Friend the Member for Milton Keynes, South-West (Dr. Starkey) has been campaigning for the improvement that she mentioned earlier, and we must also take into account the community infrastructure fund bid in regard to improving capacity at Milton Keynes station. We are listening to the representations that are being made, but an awful lot of investment is taking place. That is why we are seeing increased and improved performance on the railways.

Secondary information