Building a better-connected future for communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

East West Rail is a new railway linking people with jobs, schools, services and each other. It will open up new journeys, cut travel times, ease congestion on local roads and bring more opportunities within reach of people living locally, supporting sustainable economic growth and helping unlock the region’s potential as a global hub for life sciences and innovation.

Full East West Rail route map Full East West Rail route map
Oxford
Oxford Parkway
Bicester
Winslow
Milton Keynes
Bletchley
Marston Vale
Bedford
Tempsford
Cambourne
Cambridge
Cambridge South

Explore the route

Learn more about how different communities along the route will benefit from East West Rail.

Oxford

Bicester

Winslow

Milton Keynes

Marston Vale

Bedford

Tempsford

Cambourne

Cambridge

Latest stories

DSCF6326RLD EWR 2025

06.03.26

International Women’s Day 2026: Give to Gain

Marston Road level crossing, Lidlington

05.03.26

Upcoming temporary closure of Marston Road in Lidlington

Shabana 3

12.02.26

International Day of Women and Girls in Science – Shabana Khatau’s story

Infrastructure roundtable 260126 1

28.01.26

East West Rail learns how planning reforms can accelerate infrastructure projects

empty railway tracks with trees to each side

21.01.26

Train Maintenance Depot update

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09.01.26

New community events to discuss latest design proposals

Our project timeline

2025

Accelerations work begins to upgrade the Marston Vale Line

Delivery of works on the Bletchley to Bedford section of East West Rail will be accelerated, supported by £240m government investment. These works will enable the service between Oxford and Bedford to commence by the end of the decade.

2024

EWR Co host third non-statutory consultation

Following previous rounds of consultation, updated designs are shared for consultation. This will communities and stakeholders the opportunity to feedback on proposals ahead of statutory consultation and eventual DCO submission.

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2024

First train completes test run between Oxford and Milton Keynes

A key milestone for Connection Stage One of the East West Rail route reached after a test train successfully completes the first run between Oxford and Milton Keynes.

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2024

East meets west

East West Rail infrastructure connects Oxford and Bletchley for the first time in 50 years.

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2023

EWR Co present Route Update Announcement

This route update provided the next major milestone in the planning process and covered three key elements: route preferences, route-wide matters and the next steps in the project.

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2021

EWR Co host second non-statutory consultation

This consultation shared plans at a formative stage and covered customer experience, railway operations and a range of infrastructure proposals.

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2021

Funding committed to support next phase of East West Rail

Government commit £760 million in new funding to support the new East West Rail line. The investment means further vital construction work can begin and represents an important milestone in the project.

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2019

EWR Co host first non-statutory consultation

Developing plans are shared with communities and stakeholders on initial route options for the railways between Oxford and Cambridge.

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2017

Department for Transport create EWR Co

In 2017, the Department for Transport created EWR Co to look at plans being developed for a new railway between Oxford and Cambridge.

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