MORE than 4.6million train journeys have been made on the new line between Oxford and London since it opened exactly a year ago.

The high-speed link between Oxford Station and London Marylebone marking its one year anniversary yesterday and with it celebrating the millions of journeys that passengers have made since.

Chiltern Railways said the line is encouraging more people to travel by rail and since opening in December 2016 the rail market has grown by 21 per cent.

The rail provider said 4.6million journeys have been made on the new line and, within that figure, 1.7million passengers have travelled through Oxford Parkway Station.

Bicester Village Station which is also part of that line has also seen 2.9million passengers pass through its doors.

Chiltern Railways managing director Dave Penney said: "It has been a year since we began running Chiltern Railways services between Oxford and London Marylebone and passenger numbers continue to grow.

"Our railways are fundamental to the nation’s prosperity and the fact that the route is performing ahead of expectation is a demonstration of the value that connecting Britain by rail can bring to regional communities and businesses."

The anniversary coincides with Chiltern Railways new winter/spring timetable.