Our proposals

Our proposals presented at this consultation build on those that were introduced at the 2021 consultation. We are presenting two options for stations along the Marston Vale Line:

• Existing Stations Option: would retain the existing nine stations and the current hourly Bletchley to Bedford stopping service which calls at all nine stations. In addition, there would be two East West Rail services an hour calling at four of the stations (Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington, Stewartby) on their way between Oxford and Cambridge.
• Consolidated Stations Option: would consolidate the nine existing stations to four new, modern and easy-toaccess stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby. Three East West Rail trains would service these four stations every hour. Two of these would run between Oxford and Cambridge, whilst the third would run between Bletchley and Cambridge.

We’ve also investigated whether providing new stations would deliver the most benefit to local communities and the region and have sought to understand where enhancements to existing stations would be needed to meet safety standards and provide a sufficient level of service. We’re continuing to work with local stakeholders to help us identify the best solution for communities along this section of the route, which we’ll present at the statutory consultation. 

At the 2021 consultation we explained that we were considering a range of further improvements to Bletchley station. For example, altering or replacing the current footbridge, enlarging the car park and creating a new eastern entrance. We continue to review opportunities for further improvements and we’re working closely with Milton Keynes Council and Network Rail to support the development of a vision and masterplan for the area, including a potential eastern entrance to the station, which could be transformational for Bletchley. We’ll need to consider the funding implications for such an option. We also remain committed to working with the local authority and other local stakeholders to improve connectivity between the existing station and the surrounding area. 

We’ve undertaken work that has allowed us to reconsider the speed EWR trains would travel on this section of the route. Currently the line speed on the MVL is 60mph. We originally intended to increase this to up to 100mph to improve journey times but as the line speed increases so does the level of engineering work needed to achieve it. 

We’re now suggesting capping the line speed below the 100mph originally proposed, but above the current speed of 60mph. This would reduce disruption in residential areas, but still provide a faster service than currently available. 

Our updated view on service frequency and lowering the line speed means that some level crossings – for example at Woburn Sands and Lidlington – could still meet the appropriate safety standards and so could be retained. This would be one of the many ways to maintain local connectivity across and between communities. 

A series of changes to level crossings would be made in this area. Further detail on these changes can be found in the Consultation Document.

Our work has found that we would no longer need to lift and relay track over the full length of the MVL but could ensure the suitability of the line through targeted repairs and enhancements. We’ve identified that we would need to reinstate the second track alongside the section of single-track railway at Fenny Stratford, east of Bletchley, to increase capacity and allow for the additional EWR services. We also identified the need for a passing loop and we are doing further work to assess where this should be located. 

 

We are aware that Universal Destinations & Experiences is exploring the potential to develop a theme park and resort next to the Marston Vale Line north of Stewartby. The proposals for the Marston Vale Line presented in this consultation do not take account of the Universal development. We are discussing the proposals with Universal Destinations & Experiences and Bedford Borough Council and considering the implications of the theme park and resort for the railway.