THE elimination of the final impediment to the new Oxford to London rail link via Bicester really set the seal on what has been a week of momentous announcements.

Yesterday, the High Court dismissed a challenge on pollution concerns to the plan for the rail line from the city to Marylebone, which should be fully open in three years.

For commuters in Oxford it opens up another route into the capital and will hopefully ease some of the congestion on the current First Great Western services into Paddington.

And Bicester is on such a pathway of growth that it desperately needs the transport infrastructure.

But the most significant step will be the creation of a new station at Water Eaton.

The authorities have shown foresight to build the new stop rather than try to do it on the cheap.

Crucially it means that the passenger load will be spread out instead of clogging up Oxford and Bicester Town.

As long as Natural England enforces the pollution protection then there is just no negative to the scheme.