Where is East West Rail in this process?

We’re currently in the first stage of the DCO process: the pre-application phase. During this stage, we explore the hundreds of possible proposals and designs for the railway, for example: 

• The railway’s route.
• How different routes cross roads and rivers, and impact the local environment.
• How the line could join existing railway lines.
• Infrastructure changes.
• Ways we can prioritise the environment, climate and biodiversity. 

During this phase, our team will identify and develop the best options for the railway and its future users. This includes working alongside local communities and other stakeholders to test ideas and opportunities when plans are at an early stage. 

What effect could the proposed Planning and Infrastructure Bill have on East West Rail?

The Planning and Infrastructure Act, which became law in December 2025, will mean that the economic and social benefits of the railway will be felt by communities sooner due to a more streamlined planning system. Crucially, the new legislation will also improve the way major projects such as East West Rail engage with the public during the planning process – enabling EWR Co to deliver more localised targeted engagement with communities and key stakeholders as the designs for the railway develop. It offers the chance for more engagement, not less.

The Planning and Infrastructure Act removes the requirement for a Statutory Consultation requirement before submitting an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to build the railway. However, we will still carry out a full route-wide consultation in Spring 2026 as planned, but this will now be a non-statutory consultation informed by the changes in the new Act. To read more about the Planning and Infrastructure Act, click here.

What is happening now?

We are holding a series of Design Update Sessions through to March 2026 where specific proposals are being discussed with communities in a more targeted, localised approach. The sessions provide an opportunity for people to view the latest designs, speak to our experts about them, and provide feedback on the proposals. We will then hold a route-wide consultation in Spring 2026. Our Development Consent Order (DCO) will then be submitted in 2027.