lib Dems call for action on N Bucks rail line

Local Lib Dems are calling for stations in Aylesbury Vale to be included in plans for new rail services from Bicester Town to Oxford.

Chiltern Railways is proposing a new direct train service between London and Oxford, via High Wycombe and Princes Risborough.

Bicester Town station is to be rebuilt to take the new trains. And a new section of track will also be built at Bicester to make the connection to Oxford.

Ian Metherell, Chairman of Buckingham Constituency Liberal Democrats said it was important that the line east of Bicester, the East West route to Milton Keynes, with proposed stations at Winslow and other villages in N. Bucks should not be left behind.

''East West rail will be a great benefit to Aylesbury Vale in general but it is Winslow, the Buckingham area and North Bucks which really gain. It will bring a much needed addition to rural transport options in this area.''

Ian Metherell commented: "I have supported this vital rail link ever since the idea was first proposed. It is high time something was done to start the project, given that it will take some time to complete. The new London to Oxford trains are great news, but this is no help to North Bucks."

The East West Rail Consortium still needs to get regional and national funding in order for the project to go ahead. It also needs planning permission for some parts of the scheme.

The latest estimate is for work on the route not to start until possibly 2013 or 2014."Things are still moving at a snail's pace," said Metherell. "If this was France or Germany, the line would have been finished years ago."

Printed by Aylesbury Liberal Democrats. Promoted by David Evershed on behalf of Ian Metherell.(Liberal Democrat) all at Reform House, 6 Castle St, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP20 2RE