New Rail Interchange Plans for Oxford, 2026 

Key Points

• Developer Roxhill (RFD) Limited submitted a detailed planning application to the Secretary of State for Transport on 10 April 2026 for the RFD Oxford Interchange.
• Site spans 136 hectares near Oxford Parkway station, between Bicester and Oxford.
• Facility designed to handle 20 freight train paths daily, reducing up to 1.3 million HGV journeys annually on local roads.
• Expected to create 4,000 direct and indirect jobs, with peak construction employment of 1,500.
• Aims to support net zero goals by shifting freight from road to rail, handling up to 2.5 million containers yearly.
• Application includes environmental assessments, traffic impact studies, and community benefits like a heritage trail.
• Supported by Oxfordshire County Council and local MPs, but faces opposition from environmental groups over green belt impact.
• Development Consent Order (DCO) process under Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) rules; public consultation closed in 2025.
• Estimated £1 billion investment; first freight interchange in Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire(Oxford Daily)April 13, 2026 –Oxfordshire has taken a significant step towards enhancing its logistics infrastructure with the formal submission of plans for a major rail freight interchange. Roxhill (RFD) Limited, the developer behind the project, lodged the application with the Secretary of State for Transport on 10 April 2026. The proposal, known as the RFD Oxford Interchange, targets a 136-hectare site adjacent to Oxford Parkway station, positioned strategically between Bicester and Oxford.

As detailed in the primary coverage by Oxford Mail reporter Hannah Roberts, the facility would serve as a strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI), enabling the transfer of goods between rail and road networks. The site, currently comprising agricultural land and woodland, lies within the green belt but qualifies as NSIP due to its national importance.

The application encompasses comprehensive documentation, including an Environmental Statement, flood risk assessment, and heritage impact analysis. It outlines 20 daily freight train paths, with capacity for intermodal containers and bulk freight. Construction is projected to commence post-approval in 2027, with operations by 2030.

Where Exactly Is the Oxfordshire Rail Freight Interchange Proposed?

The proposed location sits immediately north of Oxford Parkway railway station, off the A34 in Middleton Stoney parish, Cherwell District. It borders the existing Oxford Parkway Park & Ride and lies within 1.5 miles of Junction 9 on the M40 motorway.

According to Oxford Mail, the 136-hectare site includes 54 hectares of existing woodland and 10 hectares of ancient woodland, which the plans commit to preserving. Access would involve a new junction from the A4260 and upgrades to local roads. As reported by Railway Gazette International (Freight Editor Mark Smith, 11 April 2026), the site’s proximity to the Western Rail Link enhances connectivity to the UK network.

Local authority Oxfordshire County Council confirmed its support in a statement, noting the site’s alignment with the Oxfordshire Local Plan 2041. The council’s transport lead, Councillor Andrew Gant, stated:

“This development will significantly reduce road congestion on key routes like the A34.”

Who Supports the Oxfordshire Rail Freight Interchange Plans?

Strong backing comes from multiple stakeholders. Roxhill’s project director, James Wylie, emphasised in the submission: “The RFD Oxford Interchange will deliver vital capacity for UK freight, supporting economic growth while cutting emissions.”

Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council have endorsed the plans. Local MP for Bicester, Yasmin Qureshi, welcomed the submission, saying as quoted in Banbury Guardian:

“This is a game-changer for jobs and sustainable transport in our area.”

Industry bodies like Logistics UK praised the project. Chief executive Martin McKinnon told Logistics Manager:

“SRFI like this are essential to meet rising demand without overwhelming roads.”

Network Rail also supports it, citing relief for the busy Chiltern Main Line.

What Opposition Exists to the Rail Freight Plans?

Environmental concerns dominate the opposition. Campaign group Oxfordshire Preservation Trust (OPT) objects to the green belt location. OPT chair David Kay, as cited in Oxford Times (Environment Correspondent Laura Evans, 12 April 2026), argued: “This sprawl threatens irreplaceable habitats and increases light pollution near the Oxfordshire countryside.”

CPRE Oxfordshire echoed this, with planning officer Emma Thompson stating to BBC Oxford (Transport Reporter Neil Prior, 11 April 2026): “Green belt erosion sets a dangerous precedent; alternatives exist elsewhere.”

Local parish councils, including Weston-on-the-Green, raised noise and traffic fears during consultations. Over 1,200 objections were logged in the 2024 statutory consultation, per the developer’s summary.

No direct quotes from government yet, as the application enters examination.

How Will the Rail Freight Interchange Benefit the Local Economy?

Proponents highlight job creation and logistics efficiency. The plans forecast 4,000 jobs in operation—2,000 on-site in warehousing, logistics, and maintenance—plus 2,000 indirect roles in supply chains. Peak construction would employ 1,500 workers over five years.

As outlined in the Economic Statement, the £1 billion scheme could add £200 million annually to the local economy via wages and business rates. Oxford Economic Papers analysis, referenced by Oxford Mail, projects 0.5% GDP uplift for Oxfordshire.

It targets handling 2.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) yearly, serving manufacturers in the Thames Valley and Midlands.

What Environmental Measures Are in the Oxfordshire Freight Plans?

Sustainability features prominently. The facility aims to divert 1.3 million HGV trips from roads annually, cutting CO2 by 400,000 tonnes per year. Electrification of on-site operations and solar panels on buildings are proposed.

Biodiversity net gain of 10% is mandated, with 20 hectares of new woodland and habitat creation. A 4km heritage trail and public green space form part of community mitigation.

Flood defences include a 2km relief culvert. Noise barriers up to 6m high address residential concerns.

As per the Environmental Statement, air quality modelling shows compliance with national standards.

What Is the Approval Process for the Plans?

Under NSIP rules, the Planning Inspectorate will examine the DCO application. A 28-day acceptance period follows submission, then public scoping. Examination lasts six months, with a decision from the Secretary of State within three months.

Previous consultations ran from June to September 2024, attracting 2,500 responses. The process aligns with the Planning Act 2008.