A new train service will take Swindon passengers directly to Oxford if plans are approved.

The Great Western Railway service would see two return journeys between Bristol Temple Meads and Oxford every Saturday, starting in September.

It would stop at Bath Spa, Chippenham and Swindon, taking at least one hour and 11 minutes from beginning to end.

The service would also mean residents from Swindon would not need to change at Didcot Parkway to travel to Oxford.

This decision comes in response to a growing demand for leisure travel by train and would be the first direct service between the two cities since 2003.

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “We’re always looking at innovative ways of creating new business and improving connectivity.

“Changing customer patterns since Covid have provided a clear opportunity for us to expand our leisure offering and the Bristol-Oxford route is one which offers real potential.”

GWR has requested to run four services every Saturday from September 14, including a 10.18am train from Bristol Temple Meads to Oxford, an 11.55am return trip via Didcot Parkway, another journey from Bristol at 3.18pm, and the last journey back from Oxford at 5.12pm.

The proposal needs approval from the Department for Transport and Network Rail. The trial run of the new service would continue until December.

Swindon Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said: “Really excited by the news from GWR that they are looking to trial direct rail services from Bristol to Oxford including stops in Swindon."