Just a thought... Don't know if it's viable or not but I know of many people including myself who use the train to get from Cheltenham (and surrounding stations) to Oxford (and surrounding stations), and journeys can be quite difficult if not made at the right time etc. because there are no direct trains,

Would it be viable to open up a line between Cheltenham & Oxford? I feel it would be widely used... and as a user of this route the following have happened:

* Before the December 2006 timetable, journey times between Cheltenham & Oxford were about 2 hours minimum (including a wait at Didcot, connections quite conveniently timed
* Post-December 2006 a change is also now required at Swindon, since many Cheltenham-London trains do not stop at Didcot, increasing journey times.
* Arriving in Didcot just as Oxford train pulls out... increasing wait to about 30/40 minutes

There are 2 ways to go about this route:
a) As I have already mentioned the Cheltenham - Oxford route via Didcot & Swindon or
b) Cheltenham - Oxford via Worcester

Route a WAS more convenient, however now takes longer because of awkward connections.
Route b I think is now more convenient, wait times are slightly shorter HOWEVER the Worcester-Oxford section of the track does take time to navigate, and is subject to delay as much of it is single track.

Just been wondering for ages if a Cheltenham/Gloucester - Oxford line would be viable, in terms of money and resources... Cheltenham used to have 7 train stations with one in Charlton Kings, could the line be re-built through there and maybe join on the current line near Hanborough or make other links to places like Bourton-on-the-Water, Burford or Witney?

A crazy thought I know but just wondering if anyone sees the same as me...