How East West Rail would benefit Bletchley & Milton Keynes
EWR is a once in a generation opportunity to help Bletchley/Milton Keynes to grow in an inclusive way, connecting with the wider region including Oxford, Bicester, Bedford and Cambridge. A fast, affordable and greener way to get around the area would provide opportunities for all, reducing congestion on local roads and making the area an even better place to live and work.
The new railway would enhance links between important knowledge hubs as well as enabling the opportunity to underpin growth and catalyse urban renewal and development. East West Rail would make it easier for people to enjoy days out nearby, such as visiting the Second World War codebreakers’ home at Bletchley Park; Stadium MK which is home to Milton Keynes Dons Football Club and also a concert venue able to host 35,000 people; designer outlet shopping centre Bicester Village; or Universal United Kingdom Resort near Bedford which will be served by a new station at Stewartby. East West Rail will also connect with five major rail routes, enabling people to visit attractions and destinations further afield.
A transformed station for Bletchley
Bletchley station is being transformed into a modern transport hub with over three million pounds already invested in new high-level platforms to serve East West Rail services. The station will become the centrepiece of town centre regeneration with a brand new eastern entrance off Saxon Street. By making it easier and quicker to reach from the town, it will unlock the benefits of the Town Deal investments currently revitalising the town centre including improvements to the bus station which will seamlessly connect with the train station.
Taken together, these improvements will help to attract more workers and visitors. This will support local businesses such as shops, cafés and restaurants to grow and thrive. Walking to and from the town centre and leading destinations like Stadium MK and Bletchley Park will be much quicker thanks to this new station entrance, which will reduce the current walking distance by 600m. You’ll be able to reach the new high-level station platforms via a new accessible footbridge, lifts and stairs.
What’s next?
The rebuilt section of the line between Bicester and Bletchley was completed by the East West Rail Alliance and handed over to Network Rail in December 2024 and is now part of the national network.
Chiltern Railways was announced as the operator of the line in March 2025 and is working closely with the Department of Transport to finalise these arrangements and start services as soon as possible.
