Secretary of State fro Transport (): East West Rail offers a huge
opportunity to unlock productivity in the Oxford-Cambridge
region, boosting economic growth both locally and nationally
through improved connectivity and access to jobs, education and
training, housing and leisure.
In particular, the region plays host to research and development
hubs across a variety of highly skilled and highly productive
sectors such as life sciences research at the Cambridge
Biomedical Campus. East West Rail will allow us to connect these
vital sites with a much greater talent pool and allow the region
to retain and grow its reputation globally. The first stage of
the railway is currently in delivery and services will begin to
run from 2025.
The Autumn Statement in
November 2022 recommitted to government’s transformative
growth plans for our railways, including the intention to deliver
the remainder of the East West Rail project between Bletchley and
Cambridge.
The Budget delivered by this
government in March 2023 further underlined the government’s
commitment to the project, setting out plans for a route update
announcement and the next steps for the project in May 2023.
This announcement has been made and confirms the proposals which
will be taken forward for further development. These include:
-
confirming a preferred route alignment between Bedford and
Cambridge, including new stations which would serve Tempsford
and Cambourne, and a southern approach to Cambridge
-
revised service frequencies along the line of route to best
meet demand
-
six-tracking of the Midland Mainline at Bedford to boost
capacity and improve resilience
-
relocation of Bedford St. John’s station to better serve
Bedford Hospital
-
potential level crossing changes and closures which account
for increased EWR traffic but preserve public access
-
the launch of a ‘need to sell’ property support scheme to
help affected homeowners
The East West Rail Company will consult further on its proposals
as part of a statutory consultation ahead of an application for a
development consent order. This consultation is due to take place
in 2024.
Taking forward these next steps for the East West Rail scheme
exemplifies this government’s commitment to long-term economic
growth supported by improved connectivity and the access to the
skills, education and jobs needed to deliver national growth and
individual prosperity.
