RAIL bosses must 'grab the bull by the horns' and urgently rebuild Oxford Station as concerns grow that its proposed redevelopment is being forgotten.

Oxford Mail:

A £600,000 study looking into potential new stations, services and routes across Oxfordshire is under way and could lead to the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line and a new station in Grove.

But following Network Rail's initial findings, concerns have been raised that the 'upgrade' of Oxford Station - recently named the second worst in the country - included in the study, will focus on operations and engineering rather than improving facilities for passengers.

A planned £125m redevelopment has been on the table for a number of years but there are fears that while the wait goes on, no serious improvements will be made.

READ: Three reasons why Oxford Station isn't up to scratch (yes, including the toilets)

Oxford Mail: oxford railway station masterplan aerial artist impression from south east.jpg.

Oxford City Council leader, Susan Brown, said: "It's in dire need of a major upgrade in terms of facilities.

"We must make sure the station upgrade is not just about engineering and operations but that it's about getting a facility we can be proud of at Oxford Station, which it is currently not.

"I'm concerned by the initial report from Network Rail, that seems to be somewhat missing at the moment."

Oxfordshire Growth Board members fear improvements would focus on solving the 'bottleneck' at the city's main station as it is set to become a central hub for rail transport in the future.

This could mean while additional lines could run through the city, the station would remain the same.

Secretary of Railfuture's regional branch, Andrew McCallum said the station was no longer fit for purpose and urged local councils and Network Rail to take action.

He said: "It really could do with being completely rebuilt.

"It was recently named one of the worst stations in the country in a survey of regular train users - and I'm not in the least bit surprised.

"It's no longer fit for purpose for a city of the global status of Oxford and the number of both visitors and regular commuters using the station."

A station masterplan - to create a new station building increase the number of tracks from four to six and add a new bus interchange, twice as much bicycle parking, shops, offices, a hotel and housing - was agreed last year after long delays.

But Network Rail has since warned there was a lack of funding for the project and widened the scope to lure private investors.

Mr McCallum said: "I can't remember how long ago we submitted a consultation response on the masterplan and nothing seems to have happened since.

"We are concerned about the lack of progress, the station isn't getting any better - the paint is peeling off for example.

"The local authorities and Network Rail need to take the bull by the horns and go for the big fix and they need to do it now."

He added: "If you compare it to Cambridge, their station is impressive in terms of the architecture, design and the welcome it give visitors.

"When you arrive in Oxford you think 'is this it?'"

County councillor John Howson, who lives near the station, said: "I am concerned that the corridor study was about signalling and track improvements but nothing has been firmed up for Oxford Station.

"If the Cowley Branch is to reopen then along with the new stations cash needs to be set aside to improve Oxford Station, including more platform space, an entrance and cycle parking on the west side and refurbishment of the main concourse."

Regular passengers have highlighted three examples of the station's shortfalls, including the state of the toilets.

Great Western Railway, which manages the station, confirmed plans to refurbish the toilets but that temporary facilities had to be in place first.

The firm hoped work on the toilets would start in the autumn.

Network Rail declined to comment.