 The line had been upgraded in preparation for the Oxford extension and had been authorised as a railway in 1894, but construction on the extension had yet to begin.On 27 November John Bell, Watkin's successor as Chairman of the MR, leased the line from the O&AT for £600 (about £ in 2020) a year with an option to buy the line.From 1 December 1899, the MR took over all operations.