Government response to crossing petition 'shameful'

The government has "moved the goalposts" in its response to calls for an underpass to be installed at a busy level crossing, an MP has said.

More than 4,500 people signed a petition calling for any replacement of the level crossing at London Road in Bicester to include access for cars, as well as for cyclists and pedestrians.

In its response, the Department for Transport said vehicular access to any crossing replacement would be "subject to both affordability and feasibility".

Callum Miller, the MP for the north Oxfordshire market town, said the response - and in particular the suggestion of a footbridge - was "shameful".

The crossing is set to be closed on safety grounds when the East West Rail (EWR) line becomes fully operational but residents previously said they feared this would see the town "cut in two."

The new EWR service will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge and is due to be opened to passengers in the early 2030s.

"People in Bicester have been clear and consistent: we want a short, safe underpass than can accommodate car users as well as cyclists and pedestrians," Mr Miller said.

The Liberal Democrat MP said he had held "constructive discussions" with EWR and Network Rail about how to mitigate the closure, and "at no point was a pedestrian bridge seriously proposed".

"To see it now reappear as an option is shameful and feels like the government and East West Rail are moving the goalposts on local residents," he said.

In its response to the petition, the Department for Transport said it "recognises that there are strong views locally in Bicester about closing the crossing and the concerns felt by local people that closing the crossing could damage connectivity and lengthen journey times for motorists".

It said EWR was "considering an accessible pedestrian overbridge or underpass to provide a suitable replacement crossing for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorised users of the crossing".

"It is also considering how vehicle traffic might be re-routed via existing roads," the response said.

The government department, which is headed by Heidi Alexander, added that EWR would "present a single option solution for further consultation at a future statutory consultation".

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