Campaigners demand East West Rail in full

FOLLOWING last month’s story that future phases of East West Rail could be at risk (see Headline News, p9) rail campaign group Railfuture reiterated demands that the project must be completed in full. It claimed Government approval for a new dual carriageway to run from the A1 to near to Cambridge could presage a future cancellation announcement. Railfuture’s chairman Chris Page said: “There needs to be a much more ambitious case for the railway line. Electrify it, use it for freight services as well, relieving local roads and reducing the cost of pothole repairs. Then, run proper regional services on it such as Swindon to Ipswich and Oxford to Leicester – and recognise that a railway is essential to support the extra housing needed in the area”.

Phil Marsh No. 66771 heads the first train to travel on East West Rail’s track at Bicester on August 4. This first phase of the project is not under threat.