Residents form action group to get station open

Campaigners pushing for the opening of a new railway station that was completed more than a year ago have started an action group to get it up and running.

Winslow lies on the East West Rail (EWR) line between Oxford and Milton Keynes, but passenger services are yet to start, despite Chiltern Railways being appointed to run them in March 2025.

Sue North, who owns The Farm Deli in the town, said: "People have got to be held to account", adding: "If I was running my business this way, I couldn't survive."

A spokesperson for Chiltern Railways said: "There is work to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow station and the operating arrangements for the route."

They added: "We will provide updates as soon as we are able to."

Passenger trains were scheduled to run between Oxford and Milton Keynes for the first time in nearly 60 years by the end of December 2025, but there was currently no official timeline for when that will happen.

One reason for the delay is a standoff between the operator and the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) over how many staff will be on the trains.

The RMT, which has been approached for comment, said Chiltern Railways wanted drivers to open and close the doors at stations, without guards, but the union cited safety concerns for wanting two members of staff on board.

But Diana Blamires, of the new action group, said: "We are seeing a row of fences and the station behind it that we cannot access.

"We hear freight trains rumbling through the night so people are wondering why they cannot do the same with passenger services."

The station's ticket machines are fully functioning, and a Chiltern Railways spokesperson said: "Since being announced as operator of the first stage of EWR we have been working at pace to get everything ready for services to begin.

"Significant progress has been made, including hiring and training 44 train drivers, the creation of a new facility (for staff) at Bletchley, and the fit out of a new modern station with step-free access at Winslow."

But deli owner Sue North said: "To have invested that amount of money and then not open, it just would not be feasible for me and my business."

East West Rail also said platforms would now have to be extended at the station due to demand generated by the Universal theme park being built just 20 miles away in Bedford, which would see a need for five-car trains instead of four.

Natalie Wheble, the EWR director of external affairs, said: "We absolutely understand the frustration people in Winslow feel about the delay.

"Chiltern Railways has been working hard alongside the Department of Transport and industry colleagues to finalise arrangements so passenger services can begin as soon as possible."

Kam Gupta, who runs Chutney Jacks restaurant, says businesses in the town have been excited about the station opening.

However, he said the lorries used during its development had "broken all the roads and we deliver curries but had many bust tyres because of the potholes".

He added: "If the station was open everything would be forgotten and everybody hunky-dory again."

Bradley Cooper, who runs the Legends cafe, said he was concerned the station was still costing money, despite being unopened.

"When you drive past overnight and see how much light and electricity is being used it really is annoying even though lots of people say it is solar power," he said.

"Too much money has been spent on it for it not to open, but it would not surprise me if they flattened it and put houses there."

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