-
project works at Bicester will reopen Varsity Line
connection closed in 1960s
-
completion of enabling works on western section will
enable construction to begin in September 2019
Transport Secretary welcomed a milestone moment
for East West Rail during a visit to Bicester today, (4 October
2018) as he saw how enabling works are laying the ground for
construction.
Meeting with Network Rail staff on the western section of the
route, the minister saw how preparations are laying the
foundations for a world-class rail link and significantly better
journeys for passengers between Cambridge, Milton Keynes and
Oxford.
Transport Secretary said:
East West Rail will transform journeys in one of Europe’s most
vibrant economic regions, providing passengers and businesses
with a transport system that unlocks economic opportunity and
drives forward new housing and jobs.
As a hub for technical and scientific innovation, home to
world-class universities and a skilled workforce that drives
growth, the success of England’s economic heartland is
imperative to the UK’s
prosperity and productivity.
Rapid progress on the project means we will see construction
underway on direct, fast and reliable services from next year,
delivering significantly better connections for passengers.
met with Rob Brighouse,
Chair of the East West Railway Company, who said:
East West Railway Company is working hard with Network Rail to
open this line as soon as possible. We’re delighted to have the
work underway. When open this line will boost economic growth,
and make it easier and quicker for people who live here to
travel in the local area.
Nigel Tipple — Chief Executive of the Oxfordshire Local
Enterprise Partnership — said:
We welcome the Transport Secretary’s visit to Bicester today,
which emphasises Oxfordshire’s global prospects supporting
innovation-led growth, greater productivity and major ‘place
potential’ as we move towards an ever-increasing
internationally-focussed economy.
East West Rail has the potential to drive dynamic economic
growth. With a GVA of £23 billion per annum,
Oxfordshire is one of only 3 counties that are net contributors
to the Exchequer and – by leveraging the 2
internationally-renowned cities of Oxford and Cambridge — we
can ensure that both communities and ‘UK PLC’ can capitalise on the
economic strengths of this region.
Professor Sir Peter Gregson Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor
of Cranfield University, said:
The Cambridge-Milton Keynes-Oxford growth corridor is a beacon
of innovation for the UK, featuring world-leading,
research-intensive universities. For the UK to thrive, we must ensure that
the potential of the region to boost the UK’s skills and productivity is fully
unlocked.
As a leading university at the heart of the growth corridor, we
believe that increased connectivity across the region is vital
to boosting skills and promoting innovation. East West Rail is
an important step in that process and we welcome its progress.
Patrick Cawley, Director of Sponsorship for Network
Rail’s LNW route, said
The preparatory work we are currently carrying out will ensure
we are ready to start construction as soon as we can. This will
enable us to deliver a first class railway and all of the wider
economic benefits it will bring to the local regions.
East West Rail is being built progressively in 3 phases. With
phase 1 between Oxford and Bicester already complete, phase 2
will see major track and signalling upgrades extending services
from Oxford to Bedford and Milton Keynes to Aylesbury. These
works includes the reinstatement of the Varsity line between
Bletchley and Claydon Junction, a mothballed section of railway
closed since the 1960s.
The project is a vital part of the government’s plans to provide
the region with a road and rail network fit for the future,
improving links to jobs, education, leisure and health services.
The government also recently announced the preferred corridor for the
Oxford to Cambridge expressway will run alongside the
East West Rail route, improving links between 2 of the country’s
intellectual powerhouses and delivering faster, safer and more
reliable journeys.
The East West Rail route is divided into 3 sections:
- the western section phase 1 (Oxford to Bicester) and phase 2
(Bicester to Milton Keynes/Bedford and Aylesbury to Milton
Keynes)
- the central section (Bedford to Cambridge via Sandy)
- the eastern section (Cambridge to Norwich and Ipswich) -
existing railway which could link into East West Rail
