Transport operators back Oxford United stadium bid

Bus and rail operators in Oxfordshire have thrown their support behind plans for a new football stadium.

Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach and Chiltern Railways described Oxford United’s proposed stadium as ‘a great opportunity’ to grow sustainable travel and improve travel options for the community.

The plans include a 180-bed hotel and what would be the largest conference and event space in the county.

Economic studies have found the stadium would generate more than £32 million for the Oxfordshire economy every year. 

The new stadium would be located on land known locally as The Triangle, opposite Oxford Parkway rail station near Kidlington.

Chiltern Railways, which manages the station, is working with Oxford United on plans to increase rail capacity and upgrade passenger facilities for the proposed development.

Oxford Parkway is also home to one of the city’s largest park and ride sites.

Tony Baxter, operations director at Chiltern Railways, said:“The proposed Oxford United stadium provides a significant opportunity to grow public transport usage on matchdays.

“We’re working with the Department for Transport to increase the number of trains we operate across our network, which would provide us with the additional capacity needed to serve the stadium on matchdays while also delivering our normal timetables.

“We’re also working closely with Oxford United to review improvements to customer facilities at Oxford Parkway.

“These could include creating queuing systems, improving walking and cycling access to the station and enhancing customer facilities such as toilets and waiting shelters.”

Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said: “Oxford Bus Group wholeheartedly supports the new stadium proposal.

“The venue would be in a more sustainable location than the existing site due to its proximity to existing high-frequency bus routes, two park and ride sites and Oxford Parkway rail station.

“We’re working closely with the club on how we would enhance the ever-growing matchday bus shuttle services we currently operate.

“This has been highly effective at the Kassam Stadium, and we’d increase the service at the Triangle.

“It’s a great opportunity to provide more active travel options for people and transform how they visit the stadium into sustainable modes.

“Moreover, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Oxfordshire to create something truly special for the community.

“The conference centre would be a game-changer for Oxfordshire’s tourism sector, which is vital to the local economy.”

Chris Hanson, managing director of Stagecoach West, added: “This proposal is an incredibly exciting prospect for the city of Oxford and the county.

“The new location provides a natural hub for the community to access the fantastic facilities at the new stadium in a sustainable, environmentally conscious way.

“We already provide a range of high frequency services in the area – linking the city centre, Kidlington and Bicester to Banbury Road and Oxford Parkway.

“Looking at the plans from a sporting, hospitality and business point of view, the proposed new stadium will boost these economies which can only be a good thing for jobs, opportunities and growth in the area.

“We fully support the proposal.”