Businesses and tourism leaders in the region have backed East West Rail as a major opportunity to boost visitor numbers and support economic growth by making it easier for people to travel between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
Once complete, the railway will connect with five of the UK's major rail routes, improving access to destinations including Bicester Village, Bletchley Park, Stadium MK, Bedford River Festival and the historic cities of Oxford and Cambridge. Passengers will be able to travel between the two university cities in around 90 minutes.
The railway is also expected to play an important role in supporting the new Universal United Kingdom Resort near Bedford. We plan to deliver a new station at Stewartby, providing access for both local communities and visitors to what is expected to become one of the UK's most popular tourist attractions.
By 2050, East West Rail is forecast to generate £6.7 billion a year for the regional economy, with businesses expecting increased footfall to benefit the tourism, hospitality and retail sectors.
Businesses including Experience Oxfordshire, Bicester Village, Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes City Council, The Swan Hotel in Bedford and Scudamore's Punting in Cambridge* have all welcomed the improved connectivity, saying it will help attract more visitors and support local economies.
David Hughes, CEO, East West Railway Company, said: "East West Rail will improve connectivity and drive economic growth, enabling people to travel easily and sustainably to the wide variety of tourist destinations along the route.”
* The support of businesses and tourism leaders for East West Rail can be heard in our video and read in full here.