NEW track has been laid at Bicester North station as part of the £250m project to reduce journey times to London.

Chiltern Railways will also be increasing the width of platform two, which will enable the track to be moved and the line speed to be increased.

The work began in March, but this is the first new track being laid in Bicester.

Other parts of the line are also being updated, including at Aynho Junction near Banbury, where trains will now be able to run at 85mph instead of the current 40mph.

The Chiltern Railways plan will cut journey times to Marylebone from 56 minutes to 44 by May 2011, with trains able to run from Bicester North at speeds up to 100mph.

Andy Duggins, Evergreen 3 Project Director for Chiltern Mainline said, “For historical reasons, the London-bound track curves sharply either side of the station at Bicester North.

“We are putting in new track and the existing London-bound platform is being widened to meet the newly-positioned track.

“This is one part of the Chiltern Mainline project, which will reduce journey times and bring you closer to London.”

The works are expected to be completed by December 24.