We have published a report summarising the feedback received during our latest route-wide consultation, which ran from April to June this year.
More than 5,300 responses were received during the consultation. Over 3,300 people attended ourevents held along the route and online, while thousands more explored the proposals through our consultation website and interactive map.
The consultation included updated proposals across the route, including plans for Bedford station, Cambridge East station, changes to stations and level crossings on the Marston Vale Line and a new underpass at London Road in Bicester.
Feedback covered a wide range of topics. Many people highlighted the opportunities East West Rail could bring, including better connections, improved access to jobs and education, support for economic growth and more sustainable travel options. Others shared views about the potential impacts of the railway on local communities, including traffic, construction activity, noise, the environment, land and property, and accessibility.
The report brings together the feedback received and groups responses into key themes to help explain the issues raised during the consultation and is a summary of these responses rather than a detailed list of all comments received.
As we move towards submitting our Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2027, all feedback continues to be carefully reviewed by our technical teams and will help shape the railway's final design. In recent weeks, we have already begun sharing how community feedback has influenced our proposals, including revised plans for parking at Bedford station, changes to the proposed new station at Lidlington, and our intention to keep the Millbrook level crossing open on the Marston Vale line, subject to final approval from National Grid.
David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co, said: “I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to take part in our latest consultation, whether by attending an event, submitting feedback or sharing their views with our team.
“Consultation is a crucial part of developing East West Rail and helps us understand both the opportunities people see in the railway and the concerns they have about its potential impact on their communities.
“The feedback we've received is helping us build a clearer picture of local priorities, and we will continue to consider it carefully as we refine our proposals ahead of our DCO application.”
We will continue to work closely with communities and stakeholders as we finalise our proposals and prepare our DCO application which will be submitted in the autumn of 2027.
The Consultation 2026 Feedback Report is available to read and download here.