The Environment Agency has been appointed as Lead Environmental Regulator for East West Rail, giving our project a single point of coordination for environmental advice and approvals.
The move forms part of a wider “regulation reset” by government aimed at speeding up planning decisions for major infrastructure projects while maintaining robust environmental standards.
By removing the current process requiring us to deal with overlapping environmental bodies, the Environment Agency will coordinate streamlined, joined-up advice from all relevant regulators.
This more efficient and streamlined way of working will allow us to focus on delivering East West Rail to connect communities in Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge whilst boosting economic growth and supporting thousands of new homes.
David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co, said: “We warmly welcome the appointment of a Lead Environmental Regulator for East West Rail. This single point of contact will make a huge difference, as it will ensure that key decisions can be made efficiently and effectively. Crucially, this will deliver momentum for the construction of the railway, helping us deliver infrastructure that works for nature and communities, allowing the region to feel the economic and social benefits of East West Rail far sooner than would have otherwise been the case.”
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “Having one Lead Environmental Regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like East West Rail to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.”