East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is taking significant strides forward with its ambitious rail project aimed at connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge, as it launches a public consultation inviting community feedback. The updated design plans, revealed through the consultation, signal the next steps toward making this intercity link a reality. Passengers are set to benefit from services beginning on the first stage of East West Rail between Oxford and Bletchley as early as 2025, with existing tracks now being tested.
The current consultation centers around revised infrastructure plans for the new stretch of railway from Bedford to Cambridge, alongside upgrades to the existing railway between Oxford and Bedford. These updated proposals reflect feedback from earlier consultations and additional technical design work, which followed the UK Government's recent commitment to fully support the completion of the EWR project.
Those involved envision East West Rail as more than just transportation; it’s poised to transform local economies by improving access to jobs, regenerations of town centers, enhancing connectivity, and supporting the construction of affordable housing. The project aims to be economically beneficial to the region, which will help to tie together thriving areas especially known for their educational and scientific contributions.
Among the notable proposals are plans to utilize green traction power, namely discontinuous electrification paired with hybrid battery-electric trains. This method not only aims to minimize carbon emissions but also proposes easing construction disruptions by installing overhead lines selectively along certain track sections.
To improve the passenger experience, station upgrades are planned, including the relocation of the Bedford St Johns station to accommodate Bedford Hospital, enhancing Bedford station with additional platforms, footbridges, and parking facilities. Cambridge station will also undergo improvements to accommodate rising demand, with two new railway tracks added alongside the existing West Anglia Main Line.
Plans are also underway to increase service frequency on the Marston Vale Line, which could see services multiplied three-fold. New stations at Tempsford and Cambourne are being considered as part of this expansion effort. These new stations aim to enable faster, more convenient access to Cambridge and support local growth.
Significantly impacting local ecology, some plans involve constructing tunnels to lessen disruptions. A proposed tunnel under the A428 and nearby developments aims to mitigate impacts on the environmental setting. Similarly, another tunnel through Chapel Hill, near Haslingfield, has been proposed to avoid excessive digging and to protect local wildlife, such as the Barbastelle bats.
David Hughes, the CEO of EWR Co, expressed optimism over the project: “East West Rail will improve people’s everyday lives by creating more job opportunities, easier and quicker ways to get to work, and more affordable places to live,” he declared. Hughes reinforced the project’s potential to drive economic growth throughout the region and beyond.
Government support remains strong, with Transport Secretary Louise Haigh asserting the project’s role as a catalyst for economic growth and productivity. She encourages public engagement with this consultation process, underscoring the importance of shaping project outcomes to meet local needs.
The current non-statutory consultation offers the public valuable avenues to engage: attendees of public events will have opportunities to share their views and feedback directly. The comprehensive consultation documents—including maps, design plans, and reports detailing anticipated project effects—are available for review on the consultation homepage.
Cllr Liz Leffman, Chair of England's Economic Heartland, noted the transformation East West Rail could bring: “Our world-class universities, science parks, and knowledge-intensive businesses will finally be linked together, fueling innovation and creating prosperity.” This sentiment echoes the importance of public involvement for creating effective rail infrastructure.
The consultation period spans ten weeks, allowing ample opportunity for public contributions. The EWR project embodies collaboration, with local input shaping future designs and ensuring community interests are addressed throughout development.
With major milestones already reached—including the successful completion of test runs on new rail segments—the path to revitalizing regional transport infrastructure is more tangible than ever. It’s anticipated the design and planning stages will leverage community interest, guiding the direction of this transformative project as it moves forward.
For those interested, all documents and the public consultation feedback form are accessible via the EWR consultation page. The aim remains clear: garnering widespread feedback is key to refining the designs of this major infrastructure project poised to connect and uplift communities once realized.
