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Bicester Village railway station: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°53′35″N 1°08′55″W / 51.8931°N 1.1485°W / 51.8931; -1.1485
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Undid revision 596154964 by 163.1.222.234 (talk) station is closed
Undid revision 596309833 by Lamberhurst (talk) replacement bus service still operates at this station as well as islip and oxford
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{{Infobox GB station
{{Infobox UK station|symbol=rail
|name = Bicester Town
|name = Bicester Town
|image_name = Bicester Town station geograph-3260890-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
|image_name = Bicester Town station geograph-3260890-by-Ben-Brooksbank.jpg
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|pregroup = [[London and North Western Railway]]
|pregroup = [[London and North Western Railway]]
|postgroup = [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]
|postgroup = [[London, Midland and Scottish Railway]]
|years = {{start date|1850|10|01|df=y}}
|years = 1 October 1850
|events = Opened as ''Bicester''
|events = Opened as "Bicester"
|years1 = March 1954
|years1 = March 1954
|events1 = Renamed ''Bicester London Road''
|events1 = Renamed "Bicester London Road"
|years2 = 1 January 1968
|years2 = 1 January 1968
|events2 = Closed
|events2 = Closed
|years3 = 11 May 1987
|years3 = 11 May 1987
|events3 = Reopened and renamed ''Bicester Town''
|events3 = Reopened and renamed "Bicester Town"
| symbol = rail
| latitude = 51.8931
| longitude = -1.1485
| gridref = SP586219
| years4 = 15 February 2014
| events4 = Closed
| years5 = May 2015
| events5 = Planned reopening
}}
}}
'''Bicester Town''' is the smaller of two [[railway station]]s serving the town of [[Bicester]] in [[Oxfordshire]]. (The larger is {{rws|Bicester North}}.) Bicester Town station is {{convert|12|mi}} miles north-east of {{rws|Oxford}}. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by [[Chiltern Railways]].
'''Bicester Town''' is the smaller of two [[railway station]]s serving the town of [[Bicester]] in [[Oxfordshire]]. (The larger is {{rws|Bicester North}}.) Bicester Town station is {{convert|12|mi}} miles north-east of {{rws|Oxford}}. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by [[Chiltern Railways]].
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Since 1987 the frequency of trains has varied and passenger numbers have fluctuated accordingly. In the four years 2007–11 more frequent trains have increased the total number of passengers using Bicester Town by 258%.<ref>[[Office of the Rail Regulator]] data: see infobox at head of article.</ref>
Since 1987 the frequency of trains has varied and passenger numbers have fluctuated accordingly. In the four years 2007–11 more frequent trains have increased the total number of passengers using Bicester Town by 258%.<ref>[[Office of the Rail Regulator]] data: see infobox at head of article.</ref>

The station closed on 15 February 2014 (the last trains having run late on 14 February) in order to allow upgrade of the line between Oxford and Bicester. Reopening is planned for May 2015.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-26173793 |work=BBC News Oxford |title=Last train to run on Oxford to Bicester line before revamp |date=14 February 2014 |accessdate=15 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/li/traffic.detail.7121750/ |newspaper=Oxford Mail |title=Chiltern Railway |date=11 February 2014 |accessdate=15 February 2014 }}</ref>


==Infrastructure==
==Infrastructure==
[[File:Bicester town station2010.png|thumb|left|Bicester Town station in 2010]]
[[File:Bicester town station2010.png|thumb|left|Bicester Town station in 2010. It will be rebuilt and enlarged in 2013–14.{{Citation needed|date=June 2011}}]]


The station has one platform, with a covered waiting area, seats, a clock, help point and public address. There are numerous cycle stands but no ticket facilities (passengers buy these on the train instead).
The station has one platform, with a covered waiting area, seats, a clock, help point and public address. There are numerous cycle stands but no ticket facilities (passengers buy these on the train instead).
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On 22 May 2011 [[Chiltern Railways]] took over all passenger operations from this station. This is in advance of the new service between {{rws|London Marylebone}} and Oxford that is due to start in 2013.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Chiltern to take over Bicester – Oxford trains |journal=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]] |issue=664 |date=23 February – 8 March 2011 |pages=25}}</ref> later amended to 2015.
On 22 May 2011 [[Chiltern Railways]] took over all passenger operations from this station. This is in advance of the new service between {{rws|London Marylebone}} and Oxford that is due to start in 2013.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Chiltern to take over Bicester – Oxford trains |journal=[[RAIL (magazine)|RAIL]] |issue=664 |date=23 February – 8 March 2011 |pages=25}}</ref> later amended to 2015.


{{future rail start}}
{{rail start}}
{{rail line |previous={{rws|Islip}} |next=|route=[[Chiltern Railways]]<br><small>[[Oxford to Bicester Line]]</small> |col={{Chiltern colour}} }}
{{Future Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |previous={{rws|Islip}} ''or''<br>{{rws|Oxford Parkway}} |next=[[Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station|Haddenham and<br> Thame Parkway]]<br>''or'' {{rws|Princes Risborough}} |route=[[Chiltern Railways]]<br><small>[[Oxford to Bicester Line|London Marylebone – Oxford]]</small> |col={{Chiltern colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{rws|Islip}} ''or''<br>{{rws|Oxford Parkway}} |next=[[Haddenham and Thame Parkway railway station|Haddenham and<br> Thame Parkway]]<br>''or'' {{rws|Princes Risborough}} |route=[[Chiltern Railways]]<br><small>[[Oxford to Bicester Line|London Marylebone – Oxford]]</small> |col={{Chiltern colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{rws|Oxford Parkway}} |next={{rws|Winslow}} |route=[[Varsity Line]]<br><small>[[East West Rail Link|Reading – Bedford or Milton Keynes]]</small> |col={{temporary rail colour}} }}
{{rail line |previous={{rws|Oxford Parkway}} |next={{rws|Winslow}} |route=[[Varsity Line]]<br><small>[[East West Rail Link|Reading – Bedford or Milton Keynes]]</small> |col={{temporary rail colour}} }}
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{{Railway Stations served by Chiltern Railways}}
{{Railway Stations served by Chiltern Railways}}


{{coord|51.8931|N|1.1485|W|type:railwaystation_region:GB_source:GPS|display=title}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2011}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bicester Town Railway Station}}
[[Category:Railway stations in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former London and North Western Railway stations]]
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[[Category:Railway stations closed in 1968]]
[[Category:Railway stations closed in 1968]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1987]]
[[Category:Railway stations opened in 1987]]
[[Category:Railway stations closed in 2014]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Chiltern Railways]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Chiltern Railways]]
[[Category:DfT Category F1 stations]]
[[Category:DfT Category F1 stations]]

Revision as of 22:37, 21 February 2014

Bicester Town
General information
LocationCherwell
Managed byChiltern Railways
Platforms1 (originally 2)
Other information
Station codeBIT
History
Original companyBuckinghamshire Railway
Pre-groupingLondon and North Western Railway
Post-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
1 October 1850Opened as "Bicester"
March 1954Renamed "Bicester London Road"
1 January 1968Closed
11 May 1987Reopened and renamed "Bicester Town"

Bicester Town is the smaller of two railway stations serving the town of Bicester in Oxfordshire. (The larger is Bicester North.) Bicester Town station is 12 miles (19 km) miles north-east of Oxford. The station, and all trains serving it, are operated by Chiltern Railways.

History

Bicester London Road with two platforms in 1961

The Buckinghamshire Railway, which already had a route between Bletchley and Banbury, had powers to build a line to Oxford. The first part of this line, from a junction to the west of Winslow (at a point which became known as Verney Junction) to Islip, opened on 1 October 1850, and this included a station at Bicester.[1][2] Originally named "Bicester", the station was renamed "Bicester London Road" in March 1954,[2] although the nameboards were not altered until 20 September 1954.[3]

The station was closed, along with the rest of the Oxford – Bletchley section of the Varsity Line, on 1 January 1968.[2] However, the station was used by several excursion trains through the 1970s and 1980s.

Network SouthEast reopened the station as "Bicester Town" on 11 May 1987,[4] as the terminus of the Oxford to Bicester Line. From May 2009 First Great Western and Oxfordshire County Council branded the line "The Bicester Link".[5] Since then operation of the line has been transferred from FGW to Chiltern Railways.

Since 1987 the frequency of trains has varied and passenger numbers have fluctuated accordingly. In the four years 2007–11 more frequent trains have increased the total number of passengers using Bicester Town by 258%.[6]

Infrastructure

Bicester Town station in 2010. It will be rebuilt and enlarged in 2013–14.[citation needed]

The station has one platform, with a covered waiting area, seats, a clock, help point and public address. There are numerous cycle stands but no ticket facilities (passengers buy these on the train instead).

The line to the east is used only by freight. The East West Rail Consortium of local authorities plans to extend the Oxford – Bicester service to Milton Keynes Central via Winslow and Bletchley.

There is another track in front of the platform, beside the passenger and freight running line. This is the long reversing siding for the Bicester Military Railway, serving the local MOD depot.[7]

In August 2008 Chiltern Railways announced a proposal to build a 1⁄4 mile (400 m) link between the Oxford to Bicester Line and the Chiltern Main Line to carry a new service between Oxford and London via High Wycombe. The single line between Bicester Town and Oxford would be doubled and a new station would be built at Oxford Parkway. Chiltern Railways hopes that if approval is granted for the scheme services will start in May 2013.[8] Approval was granted in October 2012 [9] with an opening date of 2015.

The Department for Transport has approved the Western Section of the East West Rail Link to link Oxford and Bicester Town with Milton Keynes and Bedford. Trains should start running by 2017.[10][11]

Services

From December 2008 the service on Mondays to Saturdays was improved with an evening service and a doubling of the service on Saturdays. There are now 11 trains (12 on Fridays) on weekdays and 13 on Saturdays. From May 2009, further improvements saw extra trains during the daytime on Mondays to Fridays and a new all-year round Sunday service, with trains every 90 minutes.

On 22 May 2011 Chiltern Railways took over all passenger operations from this station. This is in advance of the new service between London Marylebone and Oxford that is due to start in 2013.[12] later amended to 2015.

Preceding station National Rail National Rail Following station
Islip   Chiltern Railways
Oxford to Bicester Line 		  Terminus
  {{{text}}}  
Islip or
Oxford Parkway 		  Chiltern Railways
London Marylebone – Oxford 		  Haddenham and
Thame Parkway
or Princes Risborough
Oxford Parkway   Varsity Line
Reading – Bedford or Milton Keynes 		  Winslow
  Historical railways  
Wendlebury Halt
Line open, station closed 		  London and North Western Railway
Varsity Line 		  Launton
Line and station closed

References

  1. ^ Mitchell, Victor E.; Smith, Keith (July 2005). Oxford to Bletchley. Country Railway Routes. Midhurst: Middleton Press. Historical background. ISBN 1-904474-57-8. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  2. ^ a b c Butt, R.V.J. (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations. Yeovil: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 1-85260-508-1. R508. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
  3. ^ Mitchell & Smith 2005, fig. 50
  4. ^ Butt 1995, pp. 33–34
  5. ^ The Bicester Link[dead link]
  6. ^ Office of the Rail Regulator data: see infobox at head of article.
  7. ^ "Oxford to Bicester, Banbury and Worcester". First Great Western.
  8. ^ "Chiltern Railways plan to make Bicester well connected". Railnews. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 7 September 2008.
  9. ^ "Chiltern gets go-ahead for second Oxford-London rail link". The Oxford Times. 18 October 2012.
  10. ^ "East West Rail – Western Section Prospectus" (pdf). Retrieved 14 December 2011.
  11. ^ RAIL (685): 10–11. 14–28 December 2011. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ "Chiltern to take over Bicester – Oxford trains". RAIL (664): 25. 23 February – 8 March 2011.

51°53′35″N 1°08′55″W / 51.8931°N 1.1485°W / 51.8931; -1.1485

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