About East West Rail and our 2026 consultation
East West Rail will connect communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, supporting sustainable economic growth in the area. The new railway would make it easier to reach jobs, education, public services and days out with family and friends. You can read more about the proposed benefits of East West Rail here.
We have updated our proposals to take account of further design work, ongoing engagement, environmental assessments, traffic and transport analysis and feedback from the consultation that concluded in January 2025.
This consultation will run for eight weeks from 14 April to 9 June 2026. The purpose of this consultation is to gather feedback on the updated proposals, particularly the elements which are new or have changed significantly since our previous consultation.
This consultation is intended to be our final consultation before we submit our Development Consent Order (DCO) application. It is important that you’re involved in our consultation process as this gives you the opportunity to influence designs and help the project to address local needs and priorities.
How you can take part and submit feedback
You can respond to the consultation by:
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Completing the consultation feedback form online at eastwestrail.co.uk/feedback
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Emailing a copy of the feedback form to [email protected]
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Sending a copy of the feedback form to Freepost EAST WEST RAIL
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Handing in a copy of the feedback form at a consultation event
For further information or to request a paper copy of the feedback form to be sent to you, get in touch at [email protected] or by calling us on 0330 134 0067.
Please make sure you share your feedback with us by 23:59 on 9 June 2026.
Our proposals for East West Rail
This is your opportunity to tell us what you think about our proposals, especially the parts that are new or have changed significantly since the previous consultation. A high-level summary of these is set out below, with more detail in the relevant route chapters of the consultation brochure.
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An underpass at London Road, Bicester
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A Bletchley West train maintenance depot and passing loops
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An eastern entrance for Bletchley station
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We’ve decided to proceed with the consolidated stations option for this section of the Marston Vale Line (MVL)
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The four new stations will be at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby, which will also include walking, cycling, equestrian and wheeling links to local communities
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The seven level crossings where our proposals have changed
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A realigned track curve south of Bedford St Johns station
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A revised Bedford St Johns station design and multi-storey car park
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A remodelled Bedford station, including a new civic plaza, western entrance, a new platform for fast trains to London, and a proposed new location for the multi-storey car park
- A new station at Cambourne, 700 metres west of the location proposed at our previous consultation
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A new eastern entrance for Cambridge station
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A new Cambridge East station
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A new Cambridge East train care centre
Documents
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Consultation brochure
Factsheets
To view or download our factsheets click the factsheets button below.
Factsheets libraryMaps & plans
To view or download our maps, plans & profiles click the maps & plans button below.
Maps & plans libraryLand & property
To view or download our land & property documents click the land & property button below.
Land & property document libraryInteractive map
For a more detailed view, please click below to see our interactive map. The map allows you to zoom in and select different information about our design proposals in your area.
Explore our interactive mapIn-person events
We are holding a series of consultation events across the route. At each event, you can see how our proposals have evolved, talk with members of our team, ask questions and submit your feedback.
For more information on venue accessibility please click the button below.
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Date |
Time |
Location |
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Thursday 23rd April 2026 |
2pm - 7pm |
Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford, SG19 2AW |
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Saturday 25th April 2026 |
12pm - 5pm |
Summerlin Community Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG |
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Wednesday 29th April 2026 |
2pm - 7pm |
Bletchley Masonic Centre, 263 Queensway, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, MK2 2BZ |
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Thursday 30th April |
12pm - 5pm |
Stewartby Village Hall, Stewartby Way, Stewartby, MK43 9LU |
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Friday 1st May 2026 |
2pm - 7pm |
Shelford Rugby Club, The Davey Field, Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5JJ |
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Tuesday 12th May 2026 |
11am - 6pm |
The Kings Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES |
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Thursday 14th May 2026 |
2pm - 7pm |
Lidlington Village Hall, High Street, Lidlington, MK43 0RN |
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Friday 15th May 2026 |
2pm - 7pm |
Longueville Hall, Whaddon Road, Newton Longville, MK17 0AT |
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Monday 18th May 2026 |
11am - 6pm |
Venture Conferencing, Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG |
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Thursday 21st May 2026 |
11am - 6pm |
Cambridge United Football Club, Cledara Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN |
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Saturday 23rd May 2026 |
11am - 6pm |
King's House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ |
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Saturday 30th May 2026 |
11am - 6pm |
Cambridge Belfry Hotel and Spa, Back Lane |
Online events
Monday 20th April 2026, 6:30pm to 8pm - Sign up here
Wednesday 6th May 2026, 3pm to 4:30pm - Sign up here
Tuesday 2nd June 2026, 10:30am to 12pm - Sign up here
Virtual consultation room
If you are unable to attend one of our in-person events, you can also use our virtual consultation room below to view our consultation materials.
Virtual consultation room
FAQs
We have prepared a list of frequently asked questions which you can view by clicking the button below.
Read our FAQsContact us
If you have any queries please email us at [email protected] or call 0330 134 0067.