Key Revelations Regarding the East West Rail Project

This week, long-anticipated specifics were disclosed concerning a multi-billion-pound railway initiative designed to connect two university cities. The East West Rail (EWR) project is set to ultimately link Oxford and Cambridge, traversing Milton Keynes and Bedford, and affecting four counties. The proposed plans involve the construction of new stations, the closure of existing ones, the creation of new tunnels, and the demolition of residential properties. The following outlines ten key developments that have emerged this week. Among the planned constructions are new stations situated in the south of Cambridge, Cambourne in Cambridgeshire, and Tempsford in Bedfordshire. While the opening of these stations was previously known, EWR has now verified that the Cambourne station will be located north of the A428 and St Neot’s Road. Additionally, Cambridge station is set to undergo enhancements, including a new platform, platform extensions, footbridges, and general building improvements. Certain stations along the Marston Vale line, situated between Bletchley, Milton Keynes, and Bedford, may face closure, with plans for combined stations to be constructed as replacements. The precise stations slated for closure and the sites for new constructions remain undetermined. EWR has indicated that it is still evaluating the option of maintaining the existing stations at their current sites. Bedford station is slated for redevelopment, which will include the addition of a public plaza at its entrance and a new multi-storey car park. During the construction phase, temporary parking facilities will be established on railway land situated south of Ford End Road. Plans include a 1.5-kilometer (0.9-mile) tunnel positioned east of Cambourne station, passing beneath the A428 and a planned development at Bourn Airfield in Cambridgeshire. Additionally, a 700-meter (770-yard) tunnel is projected through Chapel Hill, close to the Cambridgeshire villages of Harlton and Haslingfield; EWR stated this would serve to safeguard Barbastelle bats inhabiting the vicinity. The proposals also feature a new 1.1-kilometer (0.68-mile) viaduct situated north of Bedford, spanning the River Great Ouse and Paula Radcliffe Way. Another planned structure is a 1.6-kilometer (one-mile) viaduct near the Black Cat roundabout, designed to traverse the A421, Bedford Road, and A1, among other routes. Furthermore, a 2.4-kilometer (1.5-mile) viaduct is planned near Tempsford, Bedfordshire. Provisions will be made for trains to reverse direction upon reaching Cambridge station, specifically in the Cherry Hinton suburb, located to the east of the main train station. This arrangement is intended to allow passengers to disembark at Cambridge, with trains then continuing to Cherry Hinton for turnaround operations, thereby preventing such maneuvers from occurring at Cambridge station itself. Within Bedfordshire, Ampthill Road, Cauldwell Street, Ford End Road, Bromham Road, and the A6 Great Ouse Way are scheduled for realignment to create separation between the railway and the A6. Additionally, several roads connecting to the A428 near St Neots will undergo realignment; however, this was already part of the planned upgrade works for that specific road. EWR further confirmed that Harlton Road in south Cambridgeshire would be “slightly realigned” towards the south, utilizing a new bridge. The confirmed number of properties requiring demolition in Bedfordshire stands at 37. The total count of properties expected to be acquired and demolished, or to have a portion of their land affected, has risen from 66 to 75. A greater number of properties will experience an impact if they are situated in close proximity to the proposed railway line, and EWR has stated its intention to conduct landscape and visual impact assessments. For individuals seeking to sell their properties, EWR has implemented statutory blight provisions. These provisions enable property owners to formally request the purchase of their land at market value. Furthermore, this implies that residents in specific designated areas may be eligible to issue EWR with a “blight notice,” compelling the organization to acquire their property prior to its requirement for railway construction. Details concerning connections to a proposed Universal theme park located at Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire were absent from EWR’s recent consultation. EWR stated that it is currently engaged in discussions regarding these proposals with Universal Destinations & Experiences and Bedford Borough Council, and is evaluating the potential implications of the theme park and resort for the railway infrastructure. The consultation period for EWR is scheduled to conclude on January 25. The organization is facilitating various drop-in and online events across the route, concurrently soliciting public feedback. For updates on East of England news, follow BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire, or BBC Suffolk on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.