Anneliese Dodds visits The Oxford Science Park to back Cowley Branch Line reopening

30 June 2025

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds visited The Oxford Science Park on Friday as part of her annual walk along the Cowley Branch Line, championing its reopening to passenger services.

Joined by local councillors, transport providers, business leaders and key stakeholders, Dodds began the 6.7-mile walk at the BMW Mini plant in Cowley and ended at Oxford Station. The group stopped at The Oxford Science Park to discuss the project and view the site of the proposed Littlemore Station.

Cowley Branch Line supporters join Anneliese Dodds at The Oxford Science Park

Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, said: “The amount of enthusiasm that this project has received is fantastic. Big thanks to all those who have been working so hard to turn it into a reality – The Oxford Science Park, the Ellison Institute of Technology, ARC Oxford, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and many others. It’s great that they could join me on this year’s walk alongside local councillors, East-West Rail, Network Rail, Chiltern Railways, BMW, Christ Church College Oxford, IET, and the Firoka Group.”

The currently freight-only line could bring major economic and environmental benefits. Oxford City Council estimates the project could support up to 10,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs.

Businesses at The Oxford Science Park would see significant gains with improved access to talent, lower travel barriers and new commercial opportunities.

Jitesh Patel, Head of Development at The Oxford Science Park, explains why the Park supports reopening the Cowley Branch Line.

Key Benefits:

Journey times under 10 minutes to central Oxford from Cowley and Littlemore
Direct twice-hourly service to London Marylebone
Over 1 million passenger journeys annually
Supports 10,000+ jobs and up to 10,000 new homes
Unlocks 2.5 million sq ft of commercial space across innovation hubs

With Government decisions on rail infrastructure expected soon, we urge more organisations to back the Campaign for the Cowley Branch Line and help make this transformative project a reality.

Join the Campaign for Cowley Branch Line

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