A consultation has opened on East-West Rail’s latest proposals for a new line stretching from Oxford, through Milton Keynes and Bedford, to Cambridge
The line is a key part of the plans for the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, a large government commitment, with expectations of five trains running per hour.
The new proposals are now under consultation, the last one before the project has a Development Consent Order submitted.
The proposals now consider the new Universal Resort
As well as frequent trains, longer trains with more carriages are also being proposed to account for what is expected to be a massive tourist location, as the Universal Resort near Bedford was granted planning permission in December.
Furthermore, a new station at Stewartby has been proposed to ease pressure from the increase in passenger demand from the project.
In terms of the entire East-West Rail line, new delivery phases have been proposed to replace the previous connection stages, including building other new stations and sections of railway opening as soon as possible, rather than waiting for the whole line to be ready.
The full list of proposed changes:
- A brand-new Bedford station
- Accelerating improvements on the Marston Vale Line to provide a new station at Stewartby to serve the Universal theme park – along with three new fully accessible stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, and Lidlington.
- A new entrance at Cambridge station and a new station at Cambridge East – subject to third-party funding.
- Connecting Tempsford to the rail network five years earlier than originally planned
- Hybrid electric/battery-equipped trains to support UK net-zero goals, and reduce emissions
- Providing new modern train stations that will support multi-modal travel with integrated bus and active travel connections, mobility hubs, and improved station access for walking, wheeling, cycling, taxis, and parking.
- Designs which aim to achieve sustainability goals by realising opportunities to enhance and strengthen green infrastructure networks, to benefit local people and nature along the line of the route.
A major part of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor plan
Announced in January last year, the growth corridor is intended to see closer links between the cities of Oxford and Cambridge as they are a key part of the UK’s industry, science, and technology sectors. At the announcement of the plans, chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves described the end result of the plan as a “European Silicon Valley.”
East-West Rail will provide vital support to several other developments that the growth corridor encompasses, including a new ‘renewed town’ in Milton Keynes, expanding the city by 40,000 new homes and a new station for the Oxford-Cambridge line, or the creation of a Greater Cambridge regeneration corporation to speed-up major developments, assembling land, and key-site regeneration.
The reliance of so many projects on the East-West Rail line means that the current consultation is vital to ensuring the plan is adaptable to current and potential future needs.
David Hughes, CEO of the East West Railway Company, said: “These updated proposals mark a major step forward for East West Rail to help ensure communities see the benefits of the project sooner as we finalise the design.
“Faster delivery, more frequent services and new stations will help unlock housing, support new jobs and attract investment, while giving residents and businesses better connections between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.”
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