This chapter covers updates on proposals for the existing railway between Oxford and Bletchley.

This includes updates on:

• Oxford area improvements: We’ve updated our design based on the assumption that the Cowley Plus scheme (a Network Rail project that proposes to reopen the Cowley Branch Line to passenger traffic) will be delivered ahead of East West Rail (EWR). 

• London Road level crossing, Bicester: We’ve reviewed options to maintain access at London Road level crossing and have developed a proposal for an underpass with a single-lane, height-restricted vehicle route, plus protected access for pedestrians and cyclists, subject to securing local third-party funding contributions. We’ll continue to engage with the local community on this design and will present the proposals through engagement and consultation in 2026. 

• Bletchley station: We’re considering and have included an eastern entrance at Bletchley station within our proposals. The delivery of this additional entrance would be subject to third-party funding.  

We also provide design development updates on:  

• Passing loops. 

• Oxford Parkway. 

• Winslow. 

• Bicester. 

• Environmental mitigation.  

Find out more in Chapter 4.5 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers updates on proposals for improvements to the existing railway and stations from Fenny Stratford to Kempston, which forms part of the Marston Vale Line that runs from Bletchley to Bedford. 

This includes updates on:

• Marston Vale Line stations and train services: We’re confirming the Consolidated Stations Option (Concept 2) as our preferred option for the MVL. This option will see the nine existing stations closed and replaced with four new stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby, along with the relocated Bedford St Johns station.  

• Ridgmont station: We’ve selected Option 1 as the proposed location of Ridgmont station to help support new areas identified for housing and development. This will relocate the station to the west of Bedford Road and locate station facilities and car parking north of the railway.   

• Stewartby station: We’ve selected Option 2 as the proposed location for a consolidated Stewartby-Kempston Hardwick station. However, we are still working to confirm the design and exact location for this station to maintain accessibility to both existing users like Kimberly Sixth Form College and Stewartby village whilst also supporting connectivity to the Universal proposals. 

• Bow Brickhill level crossing: In light of changes to our train services, we’re carrying out further assessments to decide whether the crossing could be retained. If the crossing does need to close, we would provide a bridge to avoid wider traffic impacts.  

We also provide design development updates on: 

• Fenny Stratford twin tracking. 

• Ongoing station development. 

• Level crossings. 

• Passing loops. 

• Environment mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.6 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers updates on proposals for the Bedford section of railway, which runs north from Ampthill Road in Kempston to Clapham Road in Clapham Village, next to the River Great Ouse.

This includes updates on:

• Bedford St Johns station: We’ve worked with key stakeholders such as Bedford Hospital and Bedford Borough Council to refine our proposals for the station layout and car parking.   

• Bedford station: We’ve updated our design proposals to add station improvements including a dedicated public open space and a western entrance, a relocated multi-storey car park, as well as introducing a new platform to help the railway operate reliably in the future. 

We also provide design development updates on: 

• Highways works in Bedford. 

• Alignment and gradient of the railway. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.7 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers design development updates to our proposals for the new railway between Clapham Green (north of Bedford) and Colesden (north-east of Bedford).

We provide design development updates on:

• Alignment and gradient of the railway. 

• Highways and public rights of way. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.8 of the you said, we did report.

This chapter covers updates on proposals for the section of new railway that runs from Roxton to the east of St Neots.

This includes updates on:

• Tempsford alignment and station: We’re confirming Option 1c as the preferred alignment for Tempsford, to support future development and the opportunity for new homes. Our design will put the station at the centre of the future development site.  

• Acceleration of Tempsford station: In January 2025, the Government announced its intention to deliver the East Coast Main Line part of the station ahead of the full delivery of the East West Rail station. This would bring some of the benefits of the East West Rail project to the Tempsford area sooner and we’re working with Network Rail to accelerate the design and delivery of the East Coast Main Line station. 

• East Coast Main Line rail logistics hub: We’ve selected Option B as the preferred location for the rail logistics hub on the East Coast Main line. This site would be located on land between the new EWR route and new A421 dual carriageway. 

We also provide design development updates on:  

• Alignment and gradient of the railway. 

• How the railway will serve St Neots. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.9 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers updates to proposals for the section of new railway beginning at the roundabout east of St Neots, running north of Cambourne and the new dual carriageway to be known as the A421 and A428, before crossing the A428 and ending at the B1046 between Toft and Comberton.

This includes updates on:

• Cambourne station: We’ve decided to relocate the proposed station at Cambourne 700 metres west of the site we’d previously proposed. We believe this new location would be better placed to facilitate new housing and aligns more closely with the South Cambridgeshire Local Plan and reflects stakeholder preferences.

• A428 Bourn Airfield crossing: Following review of feedback on our construction approach, we’ve decided to switch the form of construction for this crossing from a cut and cover tunnel to a mined tunnel. As well as being cost efficient, it reduces disruption to existing road users and has lower development and environmental impacts. 

We also provide design development updates on: 

• Cambridge Road roundabout. 

• Alignment and gradient of the railway. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.10 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers updates to proposals in the section of new railway running from the B1046 Comberton Road to Addenbrooke’s Road, Shelford.

This includes updates on:

• Newton to Harston connectivity and Newton footbridge: We’ve selected Option 4 as the preferred option for maintaining connectivity between Harston and Newton. This will provide a road connection via London Road. A new road connection north of an overbridge would use the route of the former Shepreth Branch Line track to connect to Station Road, south of Harston. In addition, we propose to construct a new footbridge near the location of the existing level crossing. 

We also provide design development updates on: 

• Bourn Brook to Harlton Road. 

• Chapel Hill. 

• Hauxton junction. 

• Baggots Farm overbridge. 

• Hauxton level crossing. 

• Rectory Farm. 

• Ninewells and the DNA cycle path. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.11 of the You Said, We Did report.

This chapter covers updates to proposals for improvements to the existing railway and stations for the section of the route that would run from Addenbrooke’s Road bridge over the existing West Anglia Main Line, north of Great Shelford, to the A14 bridge north of Cambridge North station, and to Yarrow Road in Cherry Hinton to the East of Cambridge, on the Newmarket line.

This includes updates on:

• Cambridge station: We’ve decided to include an eastern entrance to the existing Cambridge station to better connect the station on either side, and support new homes and businesses planned in the area.

• Cambridge East station: We’re considering including a new Cambridge East station within our proposals for East West Rail to support new homes planned for the area. The delivery of this new station would be subject to third-party funding.  

We also provide design development updates on: 

• Long Road overbridge. 

• Environmental mitigation. 

Find out more in Chapter 4.12 of the You Said, We Did report.