Bletchley West has been confirmed as our preferred location for a new Train Maintenance Depot (TMD) which will support the safe and reliable operation of services on East West Rail and is expected to create more than 100 full-time jobs.
The proposed site alongside Whaddon Road, west of Bletchley and north of Newton Longville, will play a vital role in keeping the railway running efficiently.
A TMD is essential railway infrastructure. It is where trains are cleaned, inspected, maintained and stored, ensuring they remain safe, dependable and comfortable for passengers.
The Bletchley West TMD would include sidings capable of stabling up to 20 five-car trains, each around 120 metres long, alongside a modern maintenance workshop designed to service multiple trains at the same time. Facilities for heavier maintenance, train washing, traction power, staff accommodation, parking and a secure gatehouse are also proposed.
Bletchley West, which was chosen following a detailed assessment of other locations, offers the best balance between operational efficiency and minimising environmental impacts.
We are committed to engaging with the local community and stakeholders on our preferred site as we continue to develop our proposals. We are now considering two design layouts, both incorporating landscaping to reduce visual impact and we will also deliver 10 per cent Biodiversity Net Gain.
Confirmation of Bletchley West follows the announcement of our Design Update Sessions, which includes two events in Bletchley where people can find out further details about the depot and talk to us about the plans. The event will also include the latest designs for the proposed eastern entrance at Bletchley station.
For more details on our work to determine a location for a depot, see page 405 of our Technical report from our 2024 Non-Statutory Consultation here.
Construction of the depot will start following approval of a Development Consent Order application and is expected to take around three years, with measures in place to minimise disruption as much as possible. Final proposals are due to be submitted in 2027, with approval not anticipated until 2028. To download a copy of Bletchley West TMD click here.