BICESTER could have to give up part of Garth Park for one of the country's biggest new passenger rail projects since World War II.
Chiltern Railways has been granted powers to temporarily or permanently use more than a dozen parcels of land in Bicester to ensure its £250million Evergreen 3 project can go ahead.
Plans for the compulsory acquisitions were discussed at a meeting o
f Bicester Town Council on Monday last week as senior project team members outlined their plan to create a new high-speed main line from London to Oxford via Bicester.
A 1,500 sq m block of land at the easternmost tip of Garth Park, close to Tubbs Crossing, is set to be used as a temporary compound to store construction vehicles while major works are under way.
Following discussions, the Chiltern Railways team was asked to return with more detailed information.
Councillor Debbie Pickford, chairman of the town council's planning committee said: "The town council agreed in principle that we don't plan in any way to jeopardise the project, but we felt we needed more technical detail to help protect our park over the build period."
Cllr Pickford said she expected the work to be carried out quickly, and said the scheme would be excellent news for Bicester.
The most crucial part of the project in Bicester is the creation of a half-mile 'chord line' linking the London to Birmingham route with the Oxford to Bletchley railway.
The short connecting line will be built to the south of Bicester town centre, close to where the London-Birmingham line crosses the Oxford-Bletchley route.
Improvements will be made to the Oxford-Bletchley route from Bicester Town Station to Oxford, including the restoration of much of the double track removed decades ago.
Bicester Town and Islip stations will be completely rebuilt and new platforms will be created at Oxford Station, while a new station will be constructed near the Water Eaton park and ride to serve the Kidlington area.
Some level crossings are also due to close during the creation of the new line to Oxford, which is expected to be running by 2013. New foot bridges are set to be created at Tubbs Lane and Gavray Drive. All plans and other documents relating to the Evergreen 3 application can be viewed in Bicester Library during normal opening hours. Copies are also available from www.chiltern-evergreen3.co.uk. Any objections to the plans must be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport by February 17.
