Archived

2019 Bedford to Cambridge Consultation

Archived: This page shows what was presented to the public during our route option consultation which ran from 28 January 2019 - 11 March 2019.

East West Rail is creating a new rail connection between Oxford and Cambridge. This will connect communities, making it faster, easier and cheaper to travel in the local area, as well as opening up job opportunities, supporting local business and helping the economy to grow. You can read more about the scheme here. 

While the Western Section between Oxford and Bedford can be built by reinstating and upgrading old rail lines, for the Central Section between Bedford and Cambridge we need to build an entirely new rail line. The final alignment of this rail line and new stations will be located within the broad area shown on the above map. 

For the last year, we've been developing route options and want to hear your views on the five most promising.

From Bedford to Cambridge - East West Rail Route

All the information you need to respond

To learn about the route options, we encourage you to download our Consultation Document (below).

The Consultation Document is designed to give you the key information you need to consider the route options. You can also read a more detailed technical report, and download the maps as a separate document.

Key documents

About this consultation

Public consultation will run from 28 January to 11 March 2019. While we are several years from starting to build the railway, this is your opportunity to have your say on the route options at an early stage. 

This is not a statutory consultation, so there will be time later for you to help us further shape the final route alignment and station locations as we move through the formal stages of the planning.

What we are asking you to comment on:

We have developed five route options and would like to know:

  • what your views are on their challenges and opportunities
  • whether we are right to focus on route options that approach Cambridge from the south
  • what you think of the overall approach we have taken to developing route options.

What happens after you provide feedback:

Throughout the consultation, we will record and analyse all feedback we receive from the public, as well as from local authorities, the Department for Transport, Network Rail and other groups. We will then announce a preferred route option, for further consultation.

Events

We are holding eight public consultation events across the corridor between Bedford and Cambridge. Come and meet us to find out more about our route options, and to have your say. A list of all of our events can be found below.

Have your say

Please give us your views by filling out our online feedback form (archived) by 11:45pm, Monday 11 March 2019

Alternatively, you can:

You can also request paper copies of all the consultation materials and a response form by emailing [email protected], or writing to Freepost EAST WEST RAIL.

Please also contact us if you require copies of our consultation plans in Braille, large text or another language, using the contact information above.

Man biking in front of building

Consultation events

St Neots: Monday 11 February 2019, 3:30pm - 7:30pm
The Priory Centre, Priory Lane, St Neots PE19 2BH

Bedford: Friday 15 February 2019, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
Scott Hall, Barford Avenue, Bedford MK42 0DS

Bassingbourn: Saturday 16 February 2019, 10am – 2pm
Bassingbourn Community Primary School, Brook Road, Bassingbourn SG8 5NP

Cambridge: Friday 22 February 2019, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
The University Centre, Granta Place, Cambridge CB2 1RU

 

Cambridge: Friday 22 February 2019, 3.30pm – 7.30pm
The University Centre, Granta Place, Cambridge CB2 1RU

Orwell: Tuesday 26 February 2019, 2pm – 6pm
Orwell Village Hall, 32-66 High St, Orwell, Royston SG8 5QN

Sandy: Friday 1 March 2019, 3:30pm – 7:30pm
Sandy Village Hall, Medusa Way, Sandy SG19 1BN 

Cambourne: Saturday 2 March 2019, 10:00pm – 2:00pm
Cambridge Belfry, Back Lane, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB23 6BW

Deposit points

You can read printed copies of our Consultation Document and Technical Report at the following locations:

Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP

Cambridge City Council, Mandela House, 4 Regent Stret, Cambridge CB2 1BY

South Cambridgeshire Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6EA

Huntingdonshire District Council, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon PE29 3TN

Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford SG17 5TQ

 

We're here to help

If you have any questions about the consultation or the East West Rail project more broadly, please get in touch through the following contact channels:

Man cycling past building