Cotswold Line back on track (From Witney Gazette)

Cotswold Line back on track

8:03am Saturday 4th August 2007 in Witney By William Crossley

THE Cotswold Line rail route between Oxford and Worcester reopened yesterday afternoon, two weeks after torrential rain and flood water caused major damage.

Although train operator First Great Western said it planned to operate a normal timetable from today, journey times will be extended because two 20mph speed restrictions are in force between Kingham and Moreton-in-Marsh, in Gloucestershire, where embankments had to be rebuilt after being washed away.

A team of 150 engineers worked at 25 sites along the line to repair damaged track and signal equipment and clear debris.

The first train to run the full length of the line after it reopened was the 5.22pm express from London Paddington (6.21pm from Oxford) to Hereford.

An emergency shuttle train service operated between Oxford and Kingham for the past week, with buses providing links with stations further west along the line.