More than £1bn was invested in improving and expanding the rail network in the Thames Valley and South West of England over the last 12 months, Network Rail has said.

This includes electrification of the Great Western main line from Paddington to Bristol, Oxford and Newbury by 2017 and modernising the 1960s signalling along the line.

The figures come from the company’s full-year results for the 2013/14 financial year.

Network Rail has also confirmed officials from Gatwick Airport have approached it about creating a direct link to Oxford.

As reported in the Oxford Mail earlier this week Gatwick said that it aimed to establish a route some time after 2020, made possible by improvements at Reading and Milton Keynes.

A spokesman for Network Rail yesterday said: “We are aware of the airport’s aspirations and will continue to consider it as part of our long-term planning.”

Our top stories: