Exclusive: Major hitch could stall opening of Oxford to Milton Keynes train line even further

Yesterday (Tuesday August 4) the Citizen revealed how the new billion pound train line that has left passengers waiting for two years could finally be open by the end of 2026.

Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy had issued a written statement indicating passenger trains could be running on the new line by the end of this year.

He said: "Chiltern (Railways) worked with Network Rail, the Department for Transport and other operators on the December 2026 timetable and services have been timetabled between Oxford, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes."

Since 2024, Chiltern is said to be locked in dispute with the RMT union about the company’s plans to use driver-only operation (DOO) trains, which the union claims are not safe enough.

They believe a guard should be present at all times to protect passengers on the trains, which will whisk people between Milton Keynes and Oxford in just 42 minutes.

This month it appeared a safety compromise had been reached when Chiltern published advertisements for ‘Customer Service Inspectors’ to be based at Bletchley station, stating their roles will include customer care, making on-train announcements and reporting or rectifying faults.

However, it seems GMT union was unaware of this move.

Today, in a letter to all branches, GMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey has blasted the recruitment plan. His missive states: “The proposal is nothing more than an abhorrent attempt to undermine the safety critical role of the guard and further push through the unsafe and contentious method of operation in the form of Driver Only Operation.

"The East West Rail line must have a second safety critical member of staff on board to ensure the safety of the traveling public and the railway.”

The letter adds: I have placed this matter before the union’s National Executive Committee who have noted that the Customer Service Inspector grade does not meet the aspirations of this Union and that the proposed role goes against the agreed policy of this union to oppose and stop any extension of DOO.” Mr Demspey also refers to “numerous issues” with the rolling stock intended for the line.

"Consultations on this programme remain ongoing and have yet to be concluded,” he writes.

He is now writing to local MPs and the parliamentary group to request that an Early Day Motion is prepared on this matter.

"A letter will also be sent to the Department for Transport requesting that they reverse these plans and give assurances that all trains will have a second safety critical member of staff onboard with dispatch duties...The RMT Union is doing everything possible to fight this proposal and any further extension of DOO.” he said.

A spokesperson for the campaigning East West Rail Action Group described the developments as “an absolute shambles”.

They told the Citizen: “The Department of Transport and Chiltern were obviously going to get an angry reaction from unions by advertising a job for a second person on trains - not actually described as a guard - without consulting unions on the job spec. The Government will no doubt blame unions for this latest delay to the service opening but the Government are just as much to blame for not consulting unions.

“Bang goes any chance of the East West Rail passenger service opening in December. The entire project has been managed appallingly. Residents who bought homes in Winslow and other places along the line so they could use the train to work are left hugely inconvenienced. But no-one cares - they are just collateral.”

Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways says it has made "significant progress" on plans to open the line. These included recruiting 44 trainee drivers and completing a new depot at Bletchley.

Their spokesperson added: "However, there is still work to finish to prepare the trains, on Winslow Station and on the operating arrangements for the new route.”