East West Rail consultation dates announced
East West Rail (EWR) have announced that they will be ‘carrying out a non-statutory consultation for 10 weeks from 14 November 2024 to 24 January 2025 to share emerging plans and gather feedback on the early designs, including areas where we are considering options.’
Where are we in the process?
The proposed new section of railway between Bedford and Cambridge has been designated as a project of national significance. This means that EWR will need to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order.
We are at the pre-application stage so EWR are consulting on their proposals. First is the non-statutory consultation and a later, statutory, consultation will be held in late 2025 / early 2026.
Once the consultations have been completed and the plans finalised, EWR will submit a DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate, which processes applications on behalf of the Secretary of State. Following an examination into the DCO application, the Planning Inspectorate will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State who will decide whether development consent should be granted.
How can I find out more about the consultation?
The East West Rail website has a section about consultation 2024.
There are four ways to get involved:
- Attend an in-person event
- Attend an online event
- Visit EWR’s virtual consultation room
- View the proposals online and at information points
Information about all of these options, including dates and venues for in-person events can be found on the EWR website.
In Bedfordshire, events will be held at Bedford, Wilden, Lidlington, Tempsford and Woburn Sands.
Where do I find information about my area?
More detailed information about the EWR plans for Bedfordshire can be found on their website.
How can I have my say?
A feedback form, which will contain questions about the proposals, will be available in both paper and online versions.
You can respond to the consultation by:
- Completing the consultation feedback form online via the EWR website. (Available from 14 November 2024)
- Emailing a copy of the feedback form to consultation@eastwestrail.co.uk.
- Sending a copy of the feedback form to Freepost EAST WEST RAIL.
- Handing in a copy of the feedback form at a consultation event.
More information about having your say can be found on the EWR website.
What do CPRE Bedfordshire think about EWR?
In our last statement on EWR, which followed the route alignment announcement, we said:
The main objection to Route E is that there has been a complete absence of recognition by East West Rail of the negative environmental impact the route will have across an area of tranquil countryside and rural villages in the northern part of Bedford Borough. We have always believed that Route E is the worst option and our views have not changed.
The published EWR route assessment reports show that a high-level approach to environmental matters was adopted, whereby consideration was only given to locations with formal designations such as Green Belt, AONB, SSSIs and heritage assets. As a result, no significant environmental impacts are recognised as applying to the section of the route that goes across open countryside north of Bedford. We also reiterate our position that for environmental reasons, EWR should be electrified from day one.
CPRE Bedfordshire maintain Route E positions EWR as a means to unlock North Bedfordshire for the development of major new settlements which, with associated road infrastructure, would overwhelm and urbanise the character of this area of precious countryside. We have continually challenged this and will continue to do so.