New transport link between Peterborough, Northampton and Oxford set to be investigated

A ‘connectivity study’ is likely to be undertaken to see if Northampton could be linked with Peterborough and Oxford with a new railway line.

A new Transport Strategy has put forward by the England Economic Heartland partnership group in a bid to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Among its proposals is a ‘northern arc’ connecting Peterborough, Northampton and Oxford by train to boost job opportunities and growth.

Now, the EEH has indicated it is ready to commission a study into whether the new links would be possible.

However, the plan would likely mean constructing the link to Banbury from scratch and cut across rural South-West Northamptonshire.

Currently, travelling to Banbury by train from Northampton means transferring at Coventry.

The EEH is a partnership of local transport authorities and local enterprise partnerships. It covers an area from Swindon and Oxfordshire in the west to Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in the east.

Further details are not given on the proposal, which is one of a number of connectivity studies the EEH wants to pursue.

Tthe strategy also refers to “opportunities for improved connectivity by rail” including connecting Northampton and Corby to Peterborough/Cambridge.

A formal consultation on the proposals runs until October 6, after which time a final strategy will be published

The draft report will be discussed by members of the combined authority’s Transport and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday from 10am.

Moreover, members will give feedback on the EEH proposal for a Sub-national Transport Body (STB) which would have a range of functions including preparing a transport strategy for the area and receiving funding from the Department for Transport for projects.

The draft transport study can be read on the EEH website.