The UK government has announced that it will invest £760 million to aid the new East-West Rail line connecting communities between Oxford and Cambridge. The funding signifies that further vital construction work can start and represents a necessary milestone within the East-West Rail project.
The funding is for a part of the line between Oxford and Bletchley/Milton Keynes and means that this section of East-West Rail is predicted to be up and running by 2025. Delivery of this stage is predicted to provide work for 1,500 individuals, injecting an estimated £1.1 billion pounds into the local economy.
The new rail connections will provide alternatives for individuals right across the area by:
- Making it cheaper, simpler, and faster to get around in the future – connecting individuals to their jobs, homes, and households, in addition to businesses to their employees, suppliers, and customers
- Supporting new housing so that people can afford to stay and work within the area, and businesses can afford to create more jobs and increase productiveness.
In addition to improving the quality of life for individuals within the area, East-West Rail will assist the local economy to:
- Make places more appealing for individuals wanting to start and grow businesses – attracting and retaining the best talent in the area, whereas encouraging new investment to assist the economy
- Spreading prosperity across the UK – creating growth for towns and cities outside of London. The National Infrastructure Commission estimated that creating these transport links and supporting the area between Oxford and Cambridge was value at nearly £80 billion extra annually for the British economy.
The UK Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, mentioned: “Restoring railways helps to put communities back on the map, and this investment forms part of our nationwide effort to build again vital connections and unlock access to jobs, education, and housing. Returning these routes to their former glory, and progressing work to reopen even more lines and stations, reveals our commitment to leveling up journeys throughout the nation as we build again better from the pandemic.”
The investment announcement additionally sees East-West Railway Firm (EWR Co.) confirm a phased approach to delivering the East-West Rail project, which will reduce disruption for native communities along the route. The project will now be delivered in three ‘Connection Stages’, relating to a full journey, not just the construction of infrastructure:
- Connection Stage One: Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes
- Connection Stage Two: Oxford to Bedford
- Connection Stage Three: Oxford to Cambridge.
This new joined-up approach will assist EWR Co. to:
- Deliver the best worth for taxpayers – by properly integrating the whole railway all the way from planning to operations, which can ensure the finest value for the taxpayer
- Minimize disruption for native communities – EWR Co. is looking to discover the best way to reduce the length and level of disruption for local communities throughout all connection stages
- Increase reliability of services – the mission is greater than simply laying down steel and concrete: EWR Co is considering how timetables and connections with other parts of the rail network will affect journeys, helping to make sure reliable services are delivered from day one.
Simon Blanchflower, Chief Govt Officer on the East-West Railway Firm, mentioned: “We’re delighted that the government has made this vital funding choice for East-West Rail and Oxford Cambridge Arc. This means that we are able to now get on with the development work and join communities who stay on the East-West Rail route. We’re dedicated to bettering connectivity throughout the Oxford-Cambridge Arc and absolutely recognize our duty to make sure that the railway is delivered in a manner that minimizes disruption, helps the regional economy, maximizes advantages, and helps jobs throughout the area.”
Chair of the East-West Rail Consortium, Sue Clark, mentioned: “We welcome the government’s continued dedication to delivering East West Rail. At present’s announcement signifies that, in only a few years’ time, we are going to see the first East-West Rail services from Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes – a milestone value celebrating.”
