The Campaign for Cowley Branch Line, is today celebrating the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves that the Government will provide full funding of £120m towards the reopening of the Cowley Branch Line to passengers.

Leaders from Network Rail, Oxford City Council, Oxfordshire County Council, ARC, EIT, and The Oxford Science Park will join the Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Rail Minister on a symbolic train journey from Oxford Parkway to Cowley, marking the first passenger service along the route in 60 years.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: “Oxford and Cambridge are home to the two of the best universities in the world, two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world, and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology. Yet thanks to years of underinvestment, they still lack the public transport, affordable housing, and infrastructure they need. That changes under this government.

“We have massive ambitions for the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, that’s why we’re reopening the Cowley Branch railway 60 years after it closed, why we’re building more affordable housing and investing in business”

Reopening the Cowley Branch Line will improve access to jobs, reduce congestion, support Oxford’s most disadvantaged communities, and help deliver sustainable, inclusive growth.

Anneliese Dodds MP for Oxford East, said: “I’m delighted that after years of campaigning for the reopening of the Cowley branch line, alongside local residents, this is finally going to become a reality! I’m grateful to everyone who has pushed for the line to be reopened for so many years.

“The reopened branch line will make a massive difference to local residents, slashing travel times and reducing congestion. It will also open up many economic opportunities for local residents. I’m so pleased that the government has listened to Oxford today.”

With two new stations at Oxford Cowley and Oxford Littlemore, the upgraded line will cut journey times from 30 minutes by car to just 10 minutes on the train and enable over 1 million passenger journeys in its first three years.

The Campaign for Cowley Branch Line was founded in 2025 by ARC Oxford, the Ellison Institute of Technology and The Oxford Science Park to champion the line’s reopening. Since then, leading organisations including OMass Therapeutics, Theolytics, EnaraBio, and Perspectum have joined the campaign.

Responding to the Cowley Branch Line news, Lisa Flashner, EIT’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “We’re delighted to hear the Cowley Branch Line will be reopened to passenger traffic. It’s a great example of what can happen if government and the private sector join forces and both contribute to a common goal. It will help us attract world-class talent to EIT by linking up key innovation hubs with Central London via direct train services. It will also facilitate a closer alliance between EIT and Oxford University with faster journey times.”

Yong Shen, Director of The Oxford Science Park, said: “The reopening of the Cowley Branch Line and the creation of a station at The Oxford Science Park will greatly improve connectivity for our tenants to the city and beyond. It’s a significant, tangible step towards more sustainable transport options and will support the continued growth and collaboration that define the Park.”

Yong Shen, Director of The Oxford Science Park, said: “The reopening of the Cowley Branch Line and the creation of a station at The Oxford Science Park will greatly improve connectivity for our tenants to the city and beyond. It’s a significant, tangible step towards more sustainable transport options and will support the continued growth and collaboration that define the Park.”

Jim Stretton, Managing Director of ARC, said: “The Government’s funding for the Cowley Branch Line is a major step forward for Oxford. A new station at ARC Oxford will help our members attract world-class talent and grow their businesses, while strengthening connections between local communities, businesses and research hubs. This decision will support the continued growth of our thriving campus and help ensure Oxford remains a global leader in science and technology.”