The Chief Executive of the East West Railway Company (EWR Co), Simon Blanchflower CBE, today (15 October) joined Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin in Bedford.
The meeting was one of a number of visits and walkabouts that have been arranged with local representatives along the route since lockdown restrictions eased, giving Mr Blanchflower and the team at EWR Co the opportunity to listen in person to local voices. The meeting focussed on the particular area around Poets and Bedford Midland station in relation to the development of East West Rail.
Mr Blanchflower said: “I was pleased to be in Bedford again to be able to meet in person with Mohammad Yasin MP and representatives from the local community to understand their local perspective on current proposals. We're still analysing the thousands of consultation responses and comments that we received earlier this year so, even though we can't share any new proposals or information until that's complete, I’m grateful to Mohammad Yasin MP’s team for arranging this meeting, and to the people of Bedford who met with us today.
“The team at EWR Co will continue to meet face-to-face with local representatives as we move forward with developing plans for the railway.”
Mr Blanchflower and the team at EWR Co have also organised a second meeting with local council and ward representatives in the Northeast Bedfordshire constituency which will take place next week, following on from the commitment the team made to arrange this during the walkabout with Richard Fuller MP across the local area at the end of July.
Responses to the 2021 non-statutory consultation, alongside ongoing technical, financial and environmental studies, are currently being analysed and will be used to help shape the next stages of design. EWR Co will publish a report summarising the consultation feedback as well as information on how the feedback has been used to inform plans for the railway. People will then have further opportunities to comment on the proposals at the statutory consultation which is planned for 2022 following which EWR Co expects to submit a formal application for a Development Consent Order to the Secretary of State for permission to construct and operate the railway.
Local residents, businesses and stakeholders are encouraged to sign up for the East West Rail newsletter in order to get up-to-the-minute information about the East West Rail project at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/get-in-touch
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About the East West Rail project
East West Rail intends to create a new direct connection between Oxford and Cambridge. Serving communities across the area, it intends to bring faster journey times and lower transport costs as well as ease pressure on local roads.
East West Rail is planned to be delivered in three Connection Stages:
- Connection Stage One: Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes
- Connection Stage Two: Oxford to Bedford
- Connection Stage Three: Oxford to Cambridge
Network Rail was responsible for developing the first part of the East West Rail, connecting Oxford with Bicester, and is a partner in a construction alliance to deliver Connection Stage 1 of the project, where East West Railway Company (EWR Co) and Network Rail are acting as the Department for Transport’s joint sponsors.
EWR Co is now developing the route to enable services to run to Cambridge via Bedford and plans to seek statutory powers under the Planning Act 2008, following a period of extensive consultation.
About East West Railway Company
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was set up by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2018 to develop East West Rail, a railway with customers and communities at its core.
We have a mission to innovate and challenge the status-quo in the rail and construction industries, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery, and a great experience for passengers and the communities we serve. Our vision is delivery of a safe and secure railway that is better for the customer; cheaper for the taxpayer; delivered quicker than before and is greener for the environment. Our distinctive outlook and commitment to doing the right thing
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