Authorities call for existing operator to take on East West Rail

England’s Economic Heartland, an organisation comprising 11 local transport authorities, claims there is a “strong case” for services on the western section of East West Rail (EWR) to initially be provided by an existing operator, rather than the Government seeking a new franchise.

The section between Oxford and Bedford, and Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, is due to open in the early 2020s, and the body believes there is “a pressing need for clarity over how services will be operated”.

“East West Rail is an incredibly important project for the Heartland, playing a fundamental role in realising our economic potential and achieving net gain for our environment,” said Dave Dobson, chairman of EEH’s Strategic Transport Forum.

“Given the scale of growth we’re already experiencing across the region, it is important that its benefits are realised from the get-go, but that any operator isn’t bound to a flawed franchise specification which fails to maximise longer-term strategic opportunities.

“This is why using an existing operator in the shorter term would enable the framework for any future franchise to be based on a real-world understanding of travel patterns and demand, rather than forecasts which can so often - with the benefit of hindsight - prove to be far removed from reality.

“It would also enable a future franchise to take into account work on the future of the West Coast Main Line post-HS2’s opening - in particular, enabling a new north-south corridor between Northampton and Old Oak Common.

“Finally, rail services could initially be incorporated within existing operations, helping to manage pressure on existing infrastructure until such time as capacity is improved.”

At EEH’s December 2018 meeting, it resolved to invite Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railway to its January 25 meeting to hear their views on the matter.