Community invited to find out latest on East West Rail project at Lidlington drop-in event
- Community invited to come and speak to EWR representatives at local meeting
- Launch of new events to keep communities updated on latest progress starting with session in Lidlington
- Designs and project updates for the new Marston Road overbridge will also be on display
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is holding a community event in Lidlington next month to provide local residents with an opportunity to come and hear about the latest progress on the scheme.
Representatives from the project, which will create transformational connectivity on the railway in the area, will be on hand to speak about the progress on the Marston Vale Line, including works that have already started in preparation for the new railway.
The event takes place at Lidlington Village Hall, High Street, Bedfordshire, on Saturday 7 November from 11am-3pm.
People will be able to find out about the latest proposals for the project in the local area and the accelerated construction programme for the Marston Vale Line.
The latest designs will be on show at the event and people can talk to East West Rail staff about updates to the project, ahead of submission for a Development Consent Order in 2027.
Natalie Wheble, External Affairs Director at EWR Co, said: “We’re looking forward to meeting people in Lidlington and keeping them informed on what work the team has been doing over the past few months.
“With plans to bring more frequent rail services to the Marston Vale Line sooner, alongside improvements to station facilities and local road connections, this is an important opportunity for people to see how the project is progressing, ask questions and speak directly to our team as we finalise our designs ahead of the Development Consent Order application.”
Lidlington will be one of four new consolidated, modern and accessible stations along the Marston Vale Line (MVL) which will see passenger services increase in capacity and frequency - from one every hour to up to five an hour. As well as passenger car parking, the station will include an active travel hub with cycle storage, drop-off and pick-up spaces, and taxi and bus facilities.
Accelerated plans for the MVL would bring these benefits to the region earlier than previously envisaged with new stations delivered ahead of the full completion of the railway, and train services operating higher frequency services ahead of the route-wide service pattern.
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Media contacts:
- Press office email: [email protected]
- Press office phone: 0330 134 0053
About the East West Rail Project
The East West Rail Project is a once in a generation opportunity to connect people and businesses between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge through a new direct rail line. It is a railway with community at its heart that will open up new journeys, cut travel times, and ease congestion on local roads. The route will connect people to the things and places that matter, bringing local benefit and sustainable growth by unlocking the social and economic potential of the area.
The East West Rail Project will be delivered in different phases. Network Rail was responsible for developing the first part of the first phase between Oxford and Milton Keynes, connecting Oxford with Bicester before the East West Rail Company (EWR Co) was set up. Between 2018 and 2024, EWR Co and Network Rail partnered in a construction alliance, East West Rail Alliance, to complete the infrastructure to Bletchley. Chiltern Railways has taken over as the operator of this section and are working to start passenger services as soon as possible.
To deliver the railway onwards from Bletchley to Bedford and Cambridge, a new railway needs to be constructed between Bedford and Cambridge, and associated works are needed between Oxford and Bedford to upgrade and refurbish the existing railway infrastructure. EWR Co proposes to make an application to the Secretary of State for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to permit the construction and operation of these works.
About the East West Railway Company
The East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is a non-departmental public body with limited company status set up by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2017 to deliver the East West Rail (EWR) Project.
The corridor, which runs from Oxford through Milton Keynes and Bedford to Cambridge, is an economic artery that makes the UK a global leader in life sciences, technology and innovation, with the potential to create jobs, drive growth and attract investment for the entire country. EWR Co’s ambition is to unlock the full potential of this region that is vital to keeping the UK globally competitive in a way that considers the environment and offers value for taxpayers.
East West Rail (EWR) will unlock access to jobs and space for businesses to grow, regenerate town centres, improve connectivity across the region and the rest of the UK, and support new affordable housing.