East West Rail reports strong engagement as consultation approaches half-way stage
East West Rail has received more than 1,000 feedback forms so far as the last route-wide consultation on the project nears the half-way stage.
Since the consultation launched on 14 April 2026, more than 1,700 people have attended events – both in-person and online - to learn about updated plans for the project connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is encouraging people to attend the remaining events* and provide feedback on the latest designs for the project before a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to build the railway is submitted in 2027.
The consultation, which includes 15 events and ends on June 9, has attracted significant engagement since it launched. This includes:
- More than 1,700 people have attended community events so far
- More than 1,080 feedback forms have been received
- Nearly 30,000 website consultation page views have been made
- Over 3,600 interactive map views have been registered
- More than 780 visits have been made to the virtual consultation room
The first of eight remaining events is being held at The King’s Centre, in Osney Mead, Oxford, on May 12th where people can discuss the updated proposals with members of EWR Co’s team and see the latest designs. There is also a separate online webinar people can 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: “It’s great to see so many people wanting to find out more about our latest proposals and sharing their feedback as we approach the half-way stage of our consultation.
“East West Rail will cut travel times, reduce congestion and improve connectivity whilst providing new job opportunities, supporting new housing and unlocking economic growth.
“I hope people take the opportunity to find out more about the project by attending one of the remaining consultation events and sharing their views to help us shape our final designs."
Feedback from the consultation will be taken into account as designs for the railway are finalised ready for the submission of a Development Consent Order in 2027.
For more information about the consultation and how to get involved, please visit the consultation page, contact EWR Co’s helpdesk at [email protected] or call 0330 134 0067.
Feedback must be received by 23:59 on 9 June 2026.
Ends
Media assets
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
*Consultation events
The remaining consultation events will take place at the following locations:
|
Date |
Venue |
|
Tuesday 12th May 11am-6pm |
The King’s Centre |
|
Thurs 14th May 2pm-7pm |
Lidlington Village Hall |
|
Friday 15th May 2pm-7pm |
Longueville Hall Milton Keynes, MK17 0AT |
|
Monday 18th May 11am-6pm |
Venture Conferencing, Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Oldbrook, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG |
|
Thursday 21st May 11am-6pm |
Cambridge United Football Club Cledara Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN |
|
Saturday 23rd May 11am-6pm |
King's House |
|
Saturday 30th May 11am-6pm |
Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, Cambourne, Cambridge CB23 6BW |
|
Tuesday 2nd June 10am-12pm |
Online webinar: https://shorturl.at/ljyQ0 |
Attendance at consultation events so far:
|
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, Bletchley
|
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 |
**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.