East West Rail consultation events attended by more than 3,000 people
More than 3,100 people attended events for East West Railway Company’s last route-wide consultation on the project.
Over 5,000 feedback forms have also been received during the consultation which was held between 14 April and 9 June 2026.
The 16 events - both in-person and online - allowed people to learn about updated plans and provide feedback on the latest designs for the project which will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account as designs for the project are finalised before a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to build the railway is submitted in 2027.
The consultation attracted strong engagement:
- More than 3,100 people attended consultation events
- More than 5,000 feedback forms have been received
- More than 47,000 website consultation page views have been made
- Over 6,300 interactive map views have been registered
- More than 1,200 visits have been made to the virtual consultation room
- More than 9 million views have been made to EWR Co’s Facebook page
- EWR Co’s Instagram page generated over 3 million views
- EWR Co's YouTube channel received more than 3 million views
At the consultation events people were able to discuss the updated proposals with members of EWR Co’s team and see the latest designs and route section animations. There were also three separate online webinars which people could join and ask questions.
Key design updates for EWR include an accelerated construction programme to deliver the benefits of the railway to communities earlier and the delivery of up to five trains an hour, along with five-car, rather than four-car, trains due to increased demand expected as a result of the new Universal resort being built.
David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to attend our consultation events, join our webinars, explore the information online and share their views with us - we really value the time and thought people have put into their feedback to help us shape the future of East West Rail.
“This consultation was an important opportunity to share our latest designs, including proposals to accelerate construction and increase train capacity, and to hear directly from communities about what matters most to them.
“East West Rail will enable quicker journeys, reduce congestion, boost connectivity and job opportunities, as well as support new housing and drive economic growth. We will use this feedback to help finalise our design before we submit a Development Consent Order next year to build this vital railway and deliver these huge benefits.”
Feedback from the consultation will be published in the autumn in a summary report outlining main themes received during the consultation.
For more information about East West Rail, please visit our home page or contact our helpdesk at [email protected] or call 0330 134 0067.
Ends
Media assets
Images from the consultation events are available here:
https://we.tl/t-MJyTpGmO2PLvvLgN
MVL animation: https://youtu.be/w_1jcLT7Nq4
North of Bedford animation: https://youtu.be/uIujFpvUfo8
Tempsford animation: https://youtu.be/QMiS9A8Isf0
Hauxton animation: https://youtu.be/B8XBIEQaZjA
Turn up and go animation: https://youtu.be/bnuedofB1gE
Accelerated programme animation: https://youtu.be/BBjAyCq85pg
Latest images of new stations are available on request.
Notes to Editors
Attendance at consultation events:
|
Location |
Date |
Attendance |
|
Online webinar |
20/04/2026 |
194 |
|
Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford |
23/04/2026 |
201 |
|
Summerlin Centre, Station Road, Woburn Sands |
25/04/2026 |
351 |
|
The Fulbourn Centre** Home End, Fulbourn |
25/04/2026 |
182 |
|
Bletchley Masonic Centre, Fenny Stratford |
29/04/2026 |
219 |
|
Stewartby Village Hall, |
30/04/2026 |
184 |
|
Great Shelford Rugby Club, |
01/05/2026 |
280 |
|
Online webinar |
06/05/2026 |
95 |
|
The King’s Centre |
12/05/2026 |
114 |
|
Lidlington Village Hall |
14/05/2026 |
234 |
|
Longueville Hall |
15/05/2026 |
121 |
|
Venture Conferencing, Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes |
18/05/2026 |
100 |
|
Cambridge United Football Club Cledara Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge |
21/05/2026 |
171 |
|
King's House |
23/05/2026 |
281 |
|
Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, Cambourne |
30/05/2026 |
353 |
|
Online webinar |
02/06/2026 |
109 |
|
Attendance total |
|
3,189 |
**Fulbourn was an extra event added late to the programme.
Consultation Timeline & Process
- Previous consultations held: 2019, 2021, 2024.
- The current and final route-wide consultation: 14 April – 9 June 2026.
- More than 80 design changes have already been made in response to earlier public feedback, as outlined in the You Said, We Did update published in November 2025
- A Development Consent Order (DCO) application will be submitted in 2027.
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.