Calum Miller MP and local Liberal Democrats have announced a £10 million county council pledge towards an underpass at Bicester’s London Road level crossing.
They say Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet agreed the contribution on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The proposed underpass would retain access for cars beneath the railway when the crossing closes as part of East West Rail’s expansion, alongside a protected route for people walking, wheeling and cycling.
The council report sets out an in-principle commitment, subject to agreements. It says the scheme still needs consent through the East West Rail Development Consent Order process and future government approval.
Miller, the Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said: “This is a victory for Bicester and for everyone who refused to give up on London Road. Residents and businesses have faced years of uncertainty about a route they depend on every day. They deserved a lasting solution.”
Which vehicles could use the London Road underpass?
East West Rail’s published design provides a single traffic lane for vehicles no more than 2.1 metres high. Signals would control movements in both directions, with height barriers on the approach ramps.
Buses and HGVs would still need alternative routes. Pedestrians, wheelchair users and cyclists would have a protected corridor through the underpass.
East West Rail says the single-lane design would limit the impact on nearby properties compared with a wider, deeper two-lane underpass. Its initial modelling predicts vehicle queues broadly similar to those at the current crossing, although retaining access for smaller vehicles would reduce traffic diverted elsewhere compared with earlier proposals.
Councillor Gareth Epps, the county council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “Keeping Bicester connected has been at the heart of our approach to London Road. People need a practical route through their town, whether they are walking, cycling or driving.”
Where would the £10m come from?
The £10 million is the council’s proposed contribution towards the project. The report does not give a final total construction cost.
Its funding plan combines £6 million from an existing East West Rail “works in kind” budget with approximately £1.66 million in developer contributions already held by the council. The remaining £2.34 million would be covered by capital contingency, with further developer funding sought to replace that allocation where possible.
When could the underpass be built?
The report places most of the council’s payment in 2031, in line with the proposed construction timetable, with an earlier £1 million contribution towards design. It does not give a confirmed opening date.
Officers were still clarifying responsibility for cost overruns when the report was prepared. Future ownership and maintenance arrangements also remained unresolved.
In a statement supplied with the announcement, East West Rail chief executive David Hughes said: “We are pleased that funding has now been agreed to deliver an underpass at London Road level crossing.”
Miller said he would continue pressing for delivery: “Together, we have secured the commitment our town needed. I will keep pressing for that commitment to be turned into delivery.”
