What is the East West Rail project?
East West Rail is proposing a new link to connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. The rail link aims to a create a range of opportunities across the route by boosting the local economy, creating jobs, and supporting housing development. The project is being delivered in stages with construction underway between Bletchley and Bedford and sections between Bletchley and Cambridge currently in the planning stages.
East West Rail launched a consultation on 31 March 2021 to share proposals for improvements between Oxford and Marston Vale and route options for new sections of railway between Bedford and Cambridge. It is anticipated that the route will be announced in late 2021 and an application made to the Planning Inspectorate for a Development Consent Order is anticipated in 2023.
What is included in the NFU's response?
The NFU has submitted a response to the consultation highlighting concerns on issues including:
- The route options
- Consultation with landowners
- Closure of level crossings
- Surveys.
NFU members can log in to download and read our full response to the consultation: NFU consultation response: East West Rail
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