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The East West Rail Consortium has responded to the East West Railway Company’s non-statutory consultation entitled ‘Making Meaningful Connections. We welcome the Government’s continued commitment to restore the rail link between Oxford and Cambridge. Delivering and realising the full potential of East West Rail is the key transformational project for the region and beyond. The […]

The East West Rail Consortium has welcomed the launch today of the East West Railway Company’s second non-statutory consultation. Martin Tugwell, speaking on behalf of the East West Rail Consortium, said: “The consultation is another important milestone towards delivering East West Rail, a project which continues to enjoy strong strategic support from the local authorities […]

Government has confirmed £760m for East West Rail between Oxford and Bletchley/Milton Keynes – with services due by 2025. The investment means further vital construction work can begin and represents an important milestone in the East West Rail project. Delivery of this stage is expected to provide work for 1,500 people, injecting an estimated £1.1bn into the local economy. Sue […]

A rail scheme to improve passenger rail service frequency between Ipswich/Norwich and Cambridge, and to provide a new direct rail service to Oxford, has moved a step closer with the commissioning of work to develop a business case for the Eastern Section of the East West Rail Main Line. Consultants Steer have been appointed by […]

Local authorities in Suffolk and Norfolk are exploring how a new rail link to Oxford can benefit both counties.   The Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps MP, announced at the end of January a preferred route for a new rail line between Cambridge and Bedford, which will form the missing rail link between Cambridge […]

Press release from Network Rail The first direct rail link in more than 50 years between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury has been given the green light for further work. Today (Tuesday 4 February) the Secretary of State for Transport approved Network Rail’s Transport and Works Act Order application, granting permission for work to […]

The chairman of the East West Rail Consortium has hailed today’s announcement on the preferred route between Bedford and Cambridge as a ‘landmark moment’ in the scheme’s history. Cllr Mark Shaw said that the work of the Consortium – a grouping of local authorities and local enterprise partnerships which was founded in 1995 and produced […]

From our colleagues at Suffolk County Council: Calls for investment in rail infrastructure are being made by politicians and businesses in Newmarket. Last Friday, 6 September, representatives from Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk District Council and the Newmarket Racecourses met with stakeholders from the horse racing industry and Members of Parliament to call for more […]

The East West Rail Consortium has hailed progress being made on East West Rail, describing 2019 as ‘a pivotal year in the scheme’s history’. This year has already seen a hat-trick of important developments – the public inquiry into the Western Section between Oxford and Bedford and Aylesbury and Milton Keynes; the route options consultation […]

A direct rail link between Ipswich, Norwich and Oxford would unlock £17.5bn for the East Anglian economy, according to a new report published by the East West Rail Consortium. It says the link would boost economic output and create 120,000 jobs across East Anglia, connecting high value economies in key growth locations in Suffolk and […]