The Langford Village Community Association’s notes related to the meeting on London Road and the campaign to keep a route open for vehicles there are now published online.
To view them please CLICK HERE.
Thank you to everyone who attended this important gathering to make comments and suggestions and to help plan next steps.
Once you’ve read this article, come back and CLICK HERE to go straight to the front page of the online form that we’re all asked to complete by 24th January. This will open a new tab and display the screen that you see below.
(We’ve added the orange arrows to help direct you and have called this ‘Step 1’)
Please note you ONLY need to use the ‘Oxford to Bletchley’ section of the form to comment on London Road. You do NOT need to complete any other route sections.
Next you should go through a few online pages that ask for your name and other information. Please complete this until you reach a page shown below. This is the start of the Oxford to Bletchley section of the online form (we’ve put in the arrow and called it Step 2, as below).
Now the very important bit!
On the next page YOU MUST SELECT THE ‘OTHER‘ INDICATOR shown by our arrow. Then go on to write your comments about what you want to happen (i.e. for EWR to ensure continuing access for vehicles across the rail line) in the box at the bottom of this screen.
Then just keep clicking on the ‘Next Page’ buttons until you reach the pages at the very end and eventually the Submit Feedback Form button.
That’s it, all done!
Except our local MP, Calum Miller, who’s also fighting to Keep London Road Open, is requesting that you also email him the comments you’ve made. His email address is calum.miller.mp@parliament.uk and we do urge you to please do this as well.
You might also like to write to the Transport Minister responsible for railways. This is Lord Peter Hendy and his email is hendyp@parliament.uk
Thank you everyone for all your support!
Join us at a public meeting to cover next steps in the campaign to ensure continued access for all vehicles and pedestrians across the East West Rail route in Bicester once the London Road level crossing is permanently closed by EWR/Network Rail.
Monday 6th January 7.30pm at Langford Village Community Centre, OX26 6XX.
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The next phase of the fight to secure a crossing for vehicles to still be able to use London Road into and out of Bicester has begun. Read on for more details of a TV report, a debate in Parliament and a forthcoming meeting to be held in Langford Village Community Hall.
ITV Meridian South reported live from the location on 11th December 2024 in the evening news. It covered the details and interviewed people about the proposed closure of this busy road route for local residents and visitors to Bicester.
⏯️ You can watch the report from here.
On the same day, our local MP Calum Miller managed to secure an adjournment debate in the House of Commons (quite an achievement we understand), where a Minister has to come forward and respond.
Carole Hetherington, Chairman of LVCA Chairman, was lucky enough to attend the debate along with Councillor Rachel Mallows and Councillor Frank Ideh.
Carole writes,
“Calum Miller represented the London Road Crossing situation very well and has secured the agreement of Lord Peter Hendy, Minister of Rail at Department of Transport to carry on looking at proposals for a solution for vehicles to continue to use London Road.”
The full debate is on record in Hansard and text be viewed and downloaded by a click here.
⏯️ WATCH from here:-
Finally, a date for the diary. a A Public Meeting is being held at Langford Village Community Centre Monday January 6th at 7.30pm to look at the next steps that everyone can be involved with in order to keep up the pressure on the government and East West Rail to bring about a solution for future crossing of the rail line for all in Bicester.
Add to CalendarPlease do come along to the Hall on that evening and spread the word about it to others.
Our picture here shows the Chairman of LVCA, Carole Hetherington (second from right) with Councillor Frank Ideh, the MP for Bicester and Woodstock, Calum Miller, and Councillor Rachel Mallows (also representing the Bicester Transport Action Group).
All travelled to the House of Commons for the adjournment debate and were mentioned during it.
The long-awaited announcement from East West Rail appeared to have sealed the fate of the road crossing for vehicles at London Road in Bicester. It will close to traffic at a date yet to be set and no alternative crossing for vehicles will be built.
EWR suggests a new bridge or underpass for pedestrians and cyclists should be built near the existing London Road level crossing and is asking residents to express views on this as part of the consultation now underway and lasting into the early part of 2025.
To view the relevant sections of the consultation report click here
To view the technical report section on London Road crossing click here.
Please leave any comments below or join the conversation on the LVCA facebook page.
ADDED UPDATE:
The East West Railway Company issued a short video on the London Road crossing on 12th December 2024..
Save the Date! Specialist tea tasting will also be available as an alternative to Port and Sherry tasting. Just turn up on the evening but if you’ve any questions about this LVCA event please email Sandra (bookings@lvca.org.uk). We look forward to seeing you there!
The Christmas Clock is ticking again and heading to 6pm on Sunday 1st December 2024.?
Share the clock and let’s all light up Langford together. ?
Follow the Light-up Langford facebook group.
A landmark moment has seen trains travelling on the new rail route between Bicester and Milton Keynes for the very first time.
It happened on Monday 21st October when test journeys were made by both Chiltern Rail and GWR to and from Bicester Village station. When the new line opens for passengers in 2025 there will be a direct service between Bicester Village and Milton Keynes Central. There will be four more trains each hour using the existing London Road level crossing.
Local people who had learned about the first test run turned out to take images as history was being made. We’ve included some of these here in a small gallery.
You’re invited to share your thoughts in the comments box on this post or on the Langford Life facebook page.
Read more about this from Network Rail.
A very big ‘thank you’ to all Langford’s residents and friends who came along to the LVCA AGM in the Hall. It was one of the best ever attendances for the community meeting – despite the heavy rain outside.
Thank you also to all the speakers who joined us to relay latest news and information, including Calum Miller the new MP for Bicester and Woodstock.
The Minutes of the meeting, held on Thursday 26th September, will be published here soon.
Meanwhile, the Chairman’s Report, as presented at the meeting is already available here.
Information presented as the Treasurer’s Report is also available here.
Please ‘Save the Date’ now and simply add it to your phone or device calendar so you don’t forget. It’s Thursday 26th September at 7.30 in the Hall. Just click on the button provided here.
Do share the invitation and the date with other residents and friends of Langford Village.
See you there!
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