The London Road Level Crossing and why it matters for Launton

On 6 January The Langford Village Community Association hosted a meeting with MP Callum Miller to discuss East West Rail’s (EWR) proposals for the London Road crossing. The cynical among us might assume this is a done deal - but there is still hope.

Unfortunately, it seems inevitable that the crossing itself will close permanently due to safety concerns. With longer barrier down-times to accommodate both passenger and future freight trains, there’s an increased risk of people trying to squeeze through the barriers. After witnessing a horrific accident here a few years ago, I understand why this decision may seem necessary.

However, despite EWR only proposing two pedestrian/cycle solutions, the final decision isn’t theirs - nor is it up to the district or county councils. Because of the project’s size, the Department for Transport (DfT) will make the call, and MP Callum Miller has secured an assurance that feedback from the consultation will be considered before any decisions are made. Importantly, funding for a solution already exists but we need to demonstrate the need for a solution that keeps cars flowing from the £750 million budget allocated to the project.

Why this matters for Launton if London Road closes to cars

• Traffic through Launton, particularly on Blackthorn and Bicester Roads, will worsen significantly.

• Launton Road will face increased congestion, making it harder to reach Bicester town centre.

• The town centre will suffer as traffic deters visitors, placing the few remaining shops, restaurants, and businesses at further risk.

• There will be increased traffic through Launton as vehicles take the “rat run” of Blackthorn Road from the A41 at the Blackthorn crossroads to reach the Buckingham and Banbury Roads.

What you can do

I hope you completed the EWR consultation survey - this is the only form of feedback EWR will consider. It needed to be completed by 24 January, and there is no further way to respond to EWR. But you can still lobby our MP, Calum Miller (calummiller.mp@parliament.uk): the more he hears from us the more he can represent us. You may also want to tell him that the suggestion of diverting traffic from the level crossing onto existing road networks is about the worst option possible!

You can still write to the Department for Transport

Here are the contact email addresses for the key people. (Lord) Peter Hendy is the key person as he is the Minister for Rail.

• The Secretary of State is HeidiAlexander, (heidi.alexander.mp@parliament.uk)

• The Minister of State is Lord Hendyof Richmond Hill (hendyp@parliament.uk)

• The Parliamentary Under-Secretary is Mike Kane (mike.kane.mp@parliament.uk)

Copy any emails you send to the above to Calum Miller as well.

Need help with any of this?

If you’d like to share your views but feel unsure about writing to MPs, I’m happy to help. As a communications professional with experience in government lobbying, I can assist with drafting letters. Contact me at sarachristiane@icloud.com.

SaraDavis

The traffic issue in numbers

• In November 2023 EWR carried out a survey of use at the level crossing.

• It showed 62,283 non-pedestrian crossings a week, or 8,898 per day.

• The EWR proposal document says that “work has demonstrated that motorised traffic could feasibly be diverted onto existing roads without users incurring significant delays or disruption”

• They provide no evidence to show that the two alternative road routes for diverted traffic (A41 & Queens Avenue via the Bicester Village roundabout to the south; and A4421 Wretchwick Way & Launton Road to the east and north) will be able to handle the 4,449 vehicle increase on each route each day.

• There is no traffic survey of current use on the alternative road routes.

• There is no analysis or proposals that review the knock-on impact of the diverted traffic on villages around Bicester .

• How much traffic will end up using Blackthorn Road through Launton?