Railfuture Thames Valley Supports Wantage & Grove Station Supporters Group

campaigning by
The Railway Development
Society Limited
 
Thames Valley Branch
Chairman
Richard Stow
[email protected]
 
Dear Andy

I am delighted to welcome WAGSSG (Wantage and Grove Station Supporters Group) as
an affiliate of Raifuture, and practically this branch, as you are aware the Branch has
understood the need to restore Grove and Wantage to the Railway Network for the last 40
years.

However in recent years, the need has become more urgent and it may be helpful to set out
below why this is and the benefits to local people and the UK economy generally, together
with the obvious benefits of reducing car use, and reducing carbon output.
I note in a survey the plan has over 90% local support, a truly remarkable figure.
As you are aware SLC Rail, did a detailed study in this matter for Oxfordshire County Council
in 2018, and came to the following conclusion: - “The initial assessment shows that a new Wantage and Grove station could be viable with a
Benefit Cost Ratio (BCR) of 2.48 – i.e. a return of £2.48 for every £1 spent on the scheme. This is regarded as ‘high value for money’ by the Department for Transport.”

I have asked our independent transport economist, to look again at the figures and give an
indication of the current position, as there have been significant changes since 2018, he has
replied :- “I would expect the station to achieve 2.1 Million passengers per annum, 1m will come from Swindon, Didcot and Newbury and be existing travellers, currently driving on busy single carriageway roads, with all the attendant risks and delays this brings, but significantly 1.1 million passengers will be new to rail, and based on the Oxford Parkway research , these will be those seeking to work in expanding service lead businesses, young people without cars and the socially disadvantaged seeking opportunity. This will lead to reduced traffic congestion by avoiding travelling to distant railheads, and many of the new passengers will be transfers from car use. It is noted the potential of the adjacent Grove Business Park can only be fully realised, as a Life science and technology hub, if the Railway Station Reopens.”
 
This clearly shows the strength of the business case, I note that 6000 new houses have been built in the area since 2018 and the recent expansion and reinvigoration of the Grove Business Park,
which is close by and will focus on life science and technology, further straighten the business case for re-opening.

Railfuture is committed to looking forward and it is clear, based on published data, for the next up to 18,000 houses will be built in the Station Catchment Area, and some 20000 jobs may be created in the area, as such the need for a station has never been grate and the business case has never been stronger, your campaign is clearly pushing at an open door.

Please look at the Railfuture Web Site for examples of the many successful station re-openings,400 at the last count, and rising.
 
Richard Stow
Chairman – Thames Valley Branch – Railfuture.