A schools partnership programme and a new tool to help communities map local green spaces between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge are two key elements of Ardent’s successful bid to be the East West Railway Company’s (EWR Co) Land and Property partner for the next four years.
With a brief to help the company support and work alongside the local communities who live between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge, Ardent’s role includes building on partnerships with educational institutions throughout the region – such as Milton Keynes College - to support work placements and create job opportunities for local people.
Ardent is also developing EWR Co’s online tool to help encourage the use of ‘accessible natural green space’ locally, which will support local ambitions to generate increased levels of physical activity to help improve local health outcomes. The interactive web application – launched in November 2021 – encourages local people to find and use the natural green spaces closest to them, supporting mental and physical health improvements in the local community. This involves a programme to identify and map “accessible natural green space” in the areas surrounding the project, with a particular early focus on some of the more urban areas along the route where there are fewer easily accessible green spaces near to people’s homes.
The core team from Ardent will be based in Milton Keynes working from the EWR Co offices, one of the areas that will benefit from the new connections created by East West Rail. This is not the first time Ardent have carried out work for EWR Co. They helped create a strategy to support local people whose property could be affected by EWR and have worked closely with a number of landowners, arranging access for critical surveys which will ensure EWR Co meets its Environmental Principles, caring for landscapes, protecting species and contributing to the fight against climate change.
Ian Parker, Programme Delivery Director at EWR Co said: “Working hand in hand with local communities is essential if we are to develop the right railway connection for people living between Oxford and Cambridge. Making sure our partnerships add social value and bringing lasting legacies to local communities is as important to us at EWR Co as laying tracks on the ground.
“As well as Ardent’s exemplary track record in its field of expertise, the company has a deep commitment to supporting the local communities along the route, whether through its work with local charities, caring for the environment, or by giving young people opportunities for apprenticeships.”
Steve Yates, Ardent’s EWR Co Project Director said: “We are really excited to be leading the land services for this nationally significant project. The relationship has been a natural one with our shared cultural and working values of being one team, open and trusted. We are looking forward to being able to bring our energy, experience and innovation to EWR, supporting the development and promotion of the DCO and the new railway connection.”
With a base locally in Milton Keynes, and through the company’s appointment to the EWR project, Ardent has committed to bring more jobs to the area through local recruitment.
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Notes to editors
About the Procurement Activity
EWR Co started the process of seeking new long-term partners in September 2020, inviting Expressions of Interest from experts in land and property, engineering and environmental, commercial management, and management and technical services.
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 for our customers and local communities runs through everything we do and every decision we make.
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