Final track laid for EWR line between Bicester and Bletchley

Ministers and transport bosses were among those present to witness the "significant milestone" of connecting 66,353 metres total track between Bicester and Bletchley on Thursday afternoon.

The project is part of a wider initiative to provide a link between the cities of Oxford and Cambridge via Bicester, Milton Keynes and Bedford.

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But Lib Dem county councillor for Otmoor, Calum Miller, says delays at the London Road level crossing in Bicester will "double" from 2025 if services commence between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

Liberal Democrat Calum Miller has criticised EWR. (Image: Calum Miller)

He added: "EWR consulted on options in 2021 but have wasted the last three years.

"Before any new services start, we need to see their proposals to keep London Road open for everyone.”

Bicester town councillor Rachel Mallows said: “Local resident action groups have been campaigning since 2015 for a solution.

"There have been four consultations but no answers. 

"Residents are experiencing consultation fatigue. 

"We need a solution to prevent our town being split into two."

Rachel Mallows. (Image: Bicester Town Council.)

Ms Mallows added that closure of barriers "at least 35 minutes every hour" meant she feared it was only a matter of time before someone was injured attempting to cross too late. 

But the Liberal Democrat conceded that overall, EWR offered "many upsides".

She said: "It offers multiple benefits to residents of Bicester not least offering an almost metro style train service to Oxford and opening education and employment options in Milton Keynes."

Rail Minister Huw Merriman said: “This is a significant milestone for one of the country’s most important rail projects and part of this Government’s plan to invest in rail infrastructure."

The government transport committee scrutinised proposals for the new line on Wednesday in light of a "damning" National Audit Report which raised questions over project costs and consultation.

Huw Merriman clipping the track. (Image: EWR.)

A parliamentary official said: “This seems to be a common theme because we’ve seen with other major infrastructure projects there has been very poor communication with communities, such as with HS2.”

The controversial HS2 'high speed rail' project from the West Midlands to Manchester was scrapped in October due to spiralling costs, prompting concern residents had been ignored.

Company CEO Beth West said plans for Bicester had been shaped by "hundreds of conversations" with residents.

It has been dubbed a milestone. (Image: Contribution.)

The EWR Alliance began track construction at the Bicester stretch in November 2021.

Mark Cuzner, EWR Alliance Director, said: "It is a hugely symbolic moment as this is the first time the railway has been connected through this area in over 50 years.

"With the majority of our civil and track works now complete it signifies that we are entering the final stages of the project, with testing and commissioning already underway and the team on track to hand the project over to Network Rail later in 2024.”