North Cotswold Line improvements would boost Worcestershire’s economy

Improvements to the North Cotswold Line are being called for to enhance transport connectivity, increase rail capacity, and support economic growth across the region.

Worcestershire County Council is one of several local authorities and partner organisations, making up The North Cotswold Task Force, headed up by Lord Faulkner, to promote and support the case for improving infrastructure and services on the line.

As one of the most critical railway routes connecting Worcestershire with key cities and regions, including London, Oxford, and the Cotswolds, the North Cotswold Line plays a pivotal role in the daily lives of commuters, businesses, and tourists.

However, despite its significance, the line faces ongoing challenges with outdated infrastructure, including sections of single line track, which limit capacity and prevent the opportunity to increase service frequency.

Councillor Simon Geraghty, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “The improvements to the North Cotswold Line are imperative to support the growth of Worcestershire’s local and visitor economy by supporting sustainable travel by rail.

“As Worcestershire is a growing county, the improvements would provide enhanced connectivity through more frequent and quicker services to key destinations along the line, improving connectivity, to and from, destinations such as Oxford and London.”

Improvements that are being called for on the North Cotswold Line include, improving signalling and infrastructure and upgrading sections of the single track to enable increased train frequency.

The County Council’s call for improvements comes in the context of growing demand for rail services and an increasing recognition of the need for sustainable, low-carbon transport solutions.

Investing in the North Cotswold Line would not only benefit local communities but also help drive the UK’s broader green transport agenda. Improvements to the North Cotswold Line would also help maximise the potential of East West Rail, with both lines working together to enable journeys from the Welsh border right through to the east of England.

A Strategic Outline Business Case for the scheme of improvements was submitted to government in 2020. Funding is now required to progress the Outline Business Case.

Worcestershire County Council representatives attended the recent Oxford and Midlands rail conference, where the case for improving the North Cotswold Line was displayed.

The document can be viewed on the Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy pages.