Community Unites to Protest Proposed Closure of Level Crossing
Residents of Bicester and Woodstock are set to come together in a significant show of resistance against plans to close a local level crossing and replace it with a pedestrian footbridge. The initiative is being led by Calum Miller, the local MP for Bicester and Woodstock, who has organised a public rally at the London Road level crossing on Thursday, July 17. This event comes in response to proposals from East West Rail, which suggests closing the crossing and redirecting traffic through existing roads.
Mr Miller has been vocal about the concerns raised by the community, stating that the proposed changes would have far-reaching consequences for the town. “Residents have made it clear from the start: a footbridge with lifts to replace the level crossing would be a catastrophe for Bicester,” he said. “These plans would cut our town in two and leave too many people stranded.”
The rally is expected to attract dozens of residents, including individuals with mobility needs, parents with prams, and cyclists. Attendees will participate in a symbolic demonstration by forming a queue at the crossing to illustrate the potential delays and daily challenges that the new scheme could introduce. This visual protest aims to highlight the practical difficulties that the community would face if the level crossing were to be removed.
Mr Miller emphasized that the opposition is not limited to a small group of individuals but reflects a broader consensus among residents, local councillors, businesses, and campaigners. “We are united in calling for an alternative that is accessible, future-proof, and fit for a growing town,” he explained. “Just recently, I presented a petition to parliament that gathered over 4,500 signatures in a little under a month – an incredible show of the town’s strength of feeling.”
The petition highlights the community’s desire for a more practical solution that addresses the needs of all users, including pedestrians, cyclists, and local drivers. Residents have called for a short, safe underpass that would accommodate foot and cycle traffic as well as local car traffic. Mr Miller urged both the government and East West Rail to take these concerns seriously and consider viable alternatives that reflect the needs of the community.
This protest marks a pivotal moment for the town as it seeks to protect its infrastructure and ensure that future developments support rather than hinder daily life. With growing public support, the campaign is gaining momentum, and the message is clear: the people of Bicester and Woodstock are determined to be heard.
