Oxfordshire County Council has commissioned consultants to explore the possibility of a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system between Carterton, Witney, Eynsham and Oxford.
There was a train connecting Witney with Oxford until 1962, when the line was shut. The viability of re-opening the line was explored by West Oxfordshire District Council in 2025, with a study demonstrating that the line could be ‘economically viable’ and would provide a solution to the increase in congestion from new housing developments along the A40.
The County Council has now commissioned consultants Jacobs to carry out an options appraisal for a ‘high-frequency, high-capacity public transport network’ to connect our area with the city centre.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The closure of the Witney railway in 1970 and subsequent largescale development in the area have proved to be costly and mistaken. Reversing congestion and improving connectivity won't be easy – but it is essential that we try to address this.
We want to identify, evaluate and recommend feasible options which can be in place by 2050 at the latest.”