Transport Secretary visits East West Rail Station in Bletchley

East West Rail is set to boost Oxford-Cambridge region by billions, but the Aylesbury Spur is still not included, which would open Aylesbury up locally to Winslow, and Milton Keynes and eventually Oxford and Cambridge. Bucks Radio challenged the Secretary of State for Transport, as to why this spur is not part of the project.

• East West Rail set to bring billions of pounds worth of growth to the Oxford-Cambridge region, along with tens of thousands of new homes and jobs
• Transport Secretary visits Bletchley Station to kickstart public consultation, inviting communities to have their say on latest plans
• Comes after Chancellor’s Budget confirms support to deliver the scheme in full, strengthening the region’s thriving life science, technology and innovation sectors.

One of the Britain’s largest transport projects is set to boost the Oxford-Cambridge economy by £6.7 billion per year by 2050, thanks to the Government’s support for delivering East West Rail in full.

As set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, the new line will bolster the area’s thriving life science cluster, enable new housing developments along the route and support up to 28,000 jobs in Cambridge alone.

The Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, reaffirmed the Government’s mission to kickstart economic growth and productivity across the region during a visit to a new-look Bletchley Station today (Thursday 14 November) to invite the public’s feedback on the latest plans for the scheme.

Along with East West Railway CEO David Hughes, Louise Haigh launched a ten-week consultation for the project, encouraging communities to have their say and shape the development of the line.

This will include proposals for how trains could be powered on the route, outlining a preference for greener traction power and hybrid battery-electric trains, which would result in cleaner and faster journeys for passengers.

The public will also be invited to have their say on planned timetables and services, which include up to four trains per hour along the route, delivering a turn up and go style service for passengers.

With the first services between Oxford, Bletchley and Milton Keynes set to begin next year, East West Rail will provide easier and faster connectivity across the region, opening up better access to jobs and education opportunities, as well as regenerating town centres and supporting tens of thousands of new homes.

The Budget confirmed the acceleration of the Marston Vale Line, ensuring that services will run from Oxford to Milton Keynes and Bedford from 2030.

Labour MP for Buckingham & Bletchley is delighted on the railways progress.

East West Rail Non-Statutory Consultation is now live

Committed to creating as many opportunities as possible for people to participate and share their views during the consultation which runs from the 14 November 2024 – 24 January 2025. They will be holding events across the whole line of route as well as providing 3 online webinars and look forward to welcoming you over the coming weeks.

The in-person events will run from 2pm - 7pm on weekdays and 12pm - 5pm at weekends. The dates can be found below. Further details are available here Community Hub. (external website)

Tuesday 19 November - Oxford Town Hall, Oxford
Thursday 21 November - John Paul ll Centre, Bicester 
Friday 22 November - Shelford Rugby Club, Great Shelford
Tuesday 26 November - Steeple Claydon Village Hall, Steeple Claydon
Saturday 30 November - The Grand Hall (Bedford Sixth Form), Bedford
Tuesday 3 December - Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Cambourne
Friday 6 December - Lidlington Village Hall, Lidlington
Monday 9 December - Bedford Swan Hotel and Spa, Bedford
Wednesday 11 December - Wilden Village Hall, Wilden
Friday 13 December - Stuart Memorial Hall, Tempsford
Tuesday 7 January -  St Neots Football Club, St Neots
Friday 10 January - Comberton Village Hall, Comberton
Wednesday 15 January - Bletchley Masonic Centre, Bletchley
Friday 17 January - Summerlin Centre, Woburn Sands
Saturday 18 January - The Clayton Hotel, Cambridge
Tuesday 21 January - St Andrews Church, Cherry Hinton