Chris Grayling visits Western Section Phase 2 site - East West Rail

Enabling works for East West Rail Western Section (Phase 2) are progressing strongly, laying the foundations for major construction activities in late-2019.

This phase will reinstate and upgrade old railway lines, allowing new trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes, from Oxford to Bedford and from Milton Keynes to Aylesbury. The first of these services are expected to start operating by 2023.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling welcomed the milestone moment for East West Rail during a visit to a site in Bicester.

Grayling said that East West Rail will:

Transform the journeys in one of Europe’s most vibrant economic regions, providing passengers and businesses with a transport system that unlocks economic opportunity and drives forward new housing and jobs. As a hub for technical and scientific innovation, home to world-class universities and a skilled workforce that drives growth, the success of England’s economic heartland is imperative to the UK’s prosperity and productivity. Rapid progress on the project means we will see construction underway on direct, fast and reliable services from next year, delivering significantly better connections for passengers.

Chris Grayling also met with Rob Brighouse, Chair of the East West Railway Company, who said:

East West Railway Company is working hard with Network Rail to open this line as soon as possible. We’re delighted to have the work underway. When open this line will boost economic growth, and make it easier and quicker for people who live here to travel in the local area.

Western Section Phase 1 (between Oxford and Bicester) has already been completed, with major construction activities on Phase 2 planned to start in late-2019 following these enabling works and final government approval.

In time, the Western Section of the route will join with the Central Section, allowing trains to run directly from Oxford to Cambridge.