A railway that has quadrupled its passenger numbers and provided countless new investment opportunities shows how East West Rail (EWR) can deliver a similar boost to local economies across the Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge region, business and council leaders say.
A case study: Corby
The railway which links Corby to London, using a reopened branch line off the Midland Mainline, strongly illustrates the exciting potential of EWR to improve prospects for people and businesses along the route, bringing more jobs, prosperity and opportunity through improved connectivity.
“Corby has transformed. We've got new businesses moving into the town, new people investing in Corby and that is what the railway can do. It can unlock levelling up that really makes a difference for businesses and the local economy.” Sean Rose, Head of Policy at Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce
The line reopened to passengers in 2009 and services are operated by East Midlands Railway (EMR). It links Corby to London St Pancras International, with services calling at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway, where passengers can use the DART service taking them direct to the airport terminal.
The railway proved to be so popular that Network Rail electrified the line and carried out capacity improvements, allowing the number of trains to double in 2021. This new connectivity has led to a huge boost for Corby, providing much-needed regeneration and investment opportunities as well as creating new jobs.
Delivering benefits to the local region
Local business and council leaders believe EWR – which Chancellor Rachel Reeves has endorsed as part of the Government’s plans for an Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor – can reap similar success.
The railway will enable quicker low-carbon ways of travelling between Oxford and Cambridge, with the increased connectivity creating more job opportunities – particularly in tech and life science industries – and provide easier access to affordable homes.
When the Corby line first opened, services were hourly, but with its popularity came upgraded and electrified trains just a few years later. These allowed for a half-hourly service to then operate, which means passenger numbers have more than quadrupled from just under 118,000 in 2009/10 to over 498,000 in 2023/24. And it's this improved connectivity which the local council believes has played a key role in regenerating the town.
“The reopened railway line to Corby is a strong case study in the transformational power of investing in rail infrastructure to drive prosperity, more job opportunities and help regenerate towns and cities. East West Rail can emulate this by delivering similar benefits to places like Bicester, Bedford and Milton Keynes, whilst also providing vital connectivity for the science and business communities in both Oxford and Cambridge.” David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co
To learn more about how re-opening the railway to Corby has transformed the local area, watch this short video.