Re-opening the Cowley branch to passenger traffic

[whole diary]

[IndustryInsider]

I haven't seen this posted elsewhere, but apparently this is the infra work planned as part of the Cowley reopening:

I hadn't seen it either, but it kind of tallies with what I'd heard.  There was also talk of a turnback siding at Hinksey, but the extension of the Up Oxford Relief to just before Radley would probably replace that.  Good to see new crossovers at Kennington Junction - presumably 40mph ones to replace the current 25mph ones.

It should be relatively easy given there used to be a third passenger standard track running through to Kennington Junction and the railway boundary south of Kennington Junction to Radley is nice and wide.  Though having said that, infrastructure takes up much more space than it used to in order to comply with modern standards.

[Red Squirrel]

...infrastructure takes up much more space than it used to in order to comply with modern standards.

I'm interested in this statement. How much more space is needed? I recognise that safe access (walkways and so on) didn't use to be a priority, but what other new requirements are there?

[Electric train]

...infrastructure takes up much more space than it used to in order to comply with modern standards.

I'm interested in this statement. How much more space is needed? I recognise that safe access (walkways and so on) didn't use to be a priority, but what other new requirements are there?

Ballast shoulders are wider and higher, even for relatively slow speed lines, and there would clearance and space for electrification even if it is not in the current plan

[IndustryInsider]

...infrastructure takes up much more space than it used to in order to comply with modern standards.

I'm interested in this statement. How much more space is needed? I recognise that safe access (walkways and so on) didn't use to be a priority, but what other new requirements are there?

Ballast shoulders are wider and higher, even for relatively slow speed lines, and there would clearance and space for electrification even if it is not in the current plan

And as well as that the furniture like signal gantries is getting bigger and more robust, along with cabinets for that equipment which now also house TPWS^▸ (Train Protection and Warning System) equipment...and so on and so on. 

Fortunately the one big potential obstacle for extending the Up Oxford Relief, the bridge that carries Old Abingdon Road over it was rebuilt with space for a fourth track, indeed if you watch the following video from 43m00s to 46m 00s you can see the route in question:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMADOeBumAU

From the site of the proposed new junction north of Radley at 43m 10s to Kennington Junction at 44m 55s you can see the width of the formation is adequate for a third track without widening the boundary.  A small bit of track slewing and movement of equipment boxes/signals will be needed, but nothing too monumentral and note the new footbridge at 44m 38s is wide enough.

From 45m 00s to 45m 25s the extra track is already in place as it's a goods loop.

45m 28s is the Old Abingdon Road bridge which has space for the fourth track on the right and it can then run behind the equipment boxes until it passes over one of the Hinksey Stream bridge at 45m 43s where the right hand span is currently not used and with a small amount of track slewing (and movement of equipment) there is room for it to continue on the right hand side under the two footbridges at 46m 11s and 46m 40s until 47m 00s where the current Up Oxford Relief line ends.

[Oxonhutch]

There is a footpath at 44:33 that would need risk assessing, and a large equipment room building (44:53) on the site of Kennington Junction Signalbox that might be in the way unless there is room behind it.

The six foot looks to be a generous broad gauge dimension so the Up Oxford could be slewed over a bit to add some extra room for the Relief.

[IndustryInsider]

There is a footpath at 44:33 that would need risk assessing, and a large equipment room building (44:53) on the site of Kennington Junction Signalbox that might be in the way unless there is room behind it.

That’s not a public footpath/crossing anymore so shouldn’t be a problem.

The large building will need to be (re)moved though.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Administrator explanation:

Several subsequent posts on this topic went off at a bit of a tangent, discussing the possibility of redoubling the Cheltenham Road Viaduct in Bristol.

Those posts have been split off and moved to our 'Bristol (WECA^» (West of England Mayoral Combined Authority - about)) Commuters' board, to form their own topic, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=31161.0

Hope this helps, in the interests of clarity. CfN^▸ (Chris from Nailsea, an administrator on this forum).

[Class 50]

Cowley Branch News
Railfuture, Oxon County council and Oxford City Council, have a meeting, all coffee shop members are welcome to attend. It looks very interesting, facts not speculation.
Reminder: Railfuture Thames Valley Branch meeting, Oxford Town Hall, Tuesday 29th September 2026
Invite below :-

Railfuture members (and their friends, colleagues and families and Coffee Shop Forum viewers )  have the opportunity to attend a meeting about the Cowley Branch reopening project, which is being hosted by Oxfordshire County Council on Tuesday 29th September at 5.30pm to 7pm in the Long Room at Oxford Town Hall, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1BX.

There will be two guest speakers: Simon Lymn of Oxfordshire County Council — he is leading the reopening project for the council — and the project sponsor at Network Rail, Sarah Cook.

This is great news for Oxfordshire , do come along.