East West Rail

Network Rail has submitted its final proposals for the construction of Phase 2 of East West Rail (EWR) to Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling.

EWR is being built in stages to link Oxford and Cambridge. Phase 1 between Oxford and Bicester is already complete, with Phase 2 covering Bicester to Bedford. The plans are subject to permission being granted through a Transport and Works Act Order, so that major construction can begin in 2019.

The TWAO application proposes major track and signalling upgrades between Bicester, Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, including reinstatement of a disused section of railway between Bletchley and Claydon Junction.

Colin Murphy, head of consenting and environment for NR’s EWR project, said: “The submission for the TWAO is a culmination of four years of work developing the scheme, and follows three positive rounds of community consultation where we’ve continually refined our proposal based on the views of the community and planning experts.

“Once completed, the new railways will connect communities and businesses along the route and beyond, creating new opportunities for jobs, housing and economic growth.”

Rob Brighouse, chairman of the East West Railway Company (the arm’s length body set up by government to accelerate the project), said: “As a dedicated delivery body, the EWR Company’s role is to streamline decision- making and to ensure the project is delivered quickly and costeffectively. Today’s announcement by NR is very welcome, and shows our shared commitment to move all elements of the project from planning to delivery as quickly as possible.”

A statutory period to receive representations and public submissions will now run until September 7. The Secretary of State may then decide to hold a hearing or public inquiry, led by an independent inspector, before making a final decision over whether Phase 2 can proceed.

Submission documents are available online at: networkrail.co.uk/east-west-rail