East West Rail Consultation Update Spring 2026

East West Rail (EWR) have announced the start of an eight week consultation on updated proposals. This is intended to be the final consultation before the application for a Development Consent Order (DOC)

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. Following on from the non-statutory consultation in 2024, this consultation considers updated proposals.

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.

The consultation will run from 14 April 2026 to 9th June 2026.

How can I find out more about the consultation?

The East West Rail website has a section about consultation 2026.

There is a EWR feedback form for you to respond to the consultation. The for can be completed online, emailed, posted or handed in at a consultation event.

Information about all of these options, including dates and venues for in-person and online events can be found on the EWR website.

In Bedfordshire, events will be held at Tempsford (23th April), Woburn Sands (25th April), Stewartby (30th April), Lidlington (14th May) and Bedford (23rd May).

Where do I find information about my area?

More detailed information about the EWR plans for Bedfordshire can be found on their website. Including maps and documents.

A full copy of the consultation document is available to download.

East West Rail Consultation 2026 – guide to key information

This consultation includes proposals for closures of road crossing and new stations in some rural areas

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.
• 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.

Feedback must be completed by 9th June 2026.

What do CPRE Bedfordshire think about EWR?

We will be reviewing the latest (2026) consultation document and provide more feedback in the near future.

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.