COTSWOLD Line rail commuters were back on track on Monday after a key phase of improvement work was completed on time.

Four miles of new double track between Charlbury and Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire and extra platforms at the two stations were opened as trains resumed service between Worcester, Oxford and London.

The improvements are part of a £67 million Network Rail project to improve punctuality and reliability of trains on the route by reinstating 20 miles of double track that was removed in the 1970s as a cost-cutting measure.

As the first train arrived at Charlbury’s new platform – the 5.48am from London to Great Malvern – passengers gave it a round of applause.

John Ellis, the chairman of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, which represents passengers on the route, said: “We have not yet got all the improvements on the route we want to see, particularly a regular hourly service all the way to Worcester, but this is still a great day for the Cotswold Line. My congratulations go to all involved in this.”

Network Rail’s scheme sponsor David Northey, who heads the redoubling project team, said: “It has been a very long time getting to this point. I started work on the project in 2007, so I’m over the moon we have got to today, D-Day on June 6.”

With the first phase of the project complete, work now moves to the central section of the line, where another 16 miles of double track are due to open between Evesham and Moreton-in-Marsh, in Gloucestershire, in August.

Once the work is complete, there will still be two nine-mile sections of single track on the line, including one from Norton junction, near Worcester, to Evesham.

Network Rail project manager Sharon Michell said: “It’s good to see everything in place. We’re glad the passengers like it – we have had some very positive feedback.”