East West Rail is central to the Government’s economic growth mission and plans to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor. By delivering new east to west connectivity, EWR can support up to 100,000 new homes, connecting new and established communities with improved access to employment, training, and education. By 2050, EWR is expected to boost the regional economy by £6.7 billion every year.
Strong alignment across Government to positively plan for development will help to capitalise on the transformational growth opportunity presented by EWR. Where development is near to existing or proposed EWR stations, the Government expect local and strategic authorities and developers to maximise housing densities to unlock economic growth. This should be in a way that promotes sustainable transport modes and improves connectivity to jobs and services, consistent with “Better Connected: A Strategy for Integrated Transport”.
The first phase of EWR is nearly ready for opening to regular services. Contracting with the train operator, Chiltern Railways, was delayed by the general election in July 2024, and since its appointment in March 2025, it has been pursuing rolling stock modifications, the completion of the intermediate station, and staffing and training for service introduction. Freight and charter trains are already making use of the connectivity that this new route provides to the wider rail network.
On 14 April, East West Rail Company will launch a route-wide public consultation on future stages of the project as part of preparations for its application for a development consent order in 2027. This follows its “You Said, We Did” report from November 2025 and is expected to be EWR Co’s final public consultation ahead of submitting its DCO application, which will give it the authority to build the railway.
The updated proposals in the consultation reflect ongoing engagement with local communities and recent developments in the corridor such as the new Universal theme park at Stewartby. They include:
new station locations along the route, including at Tempsford, Cambourne, Cambridge East and on the Marston Vale Line, supporting opportunities for local growth;
a new approach to sequencing the project to bring forward transport and economic benefits at the earliest opportunity;
plans for more frequent services along the whole route, with up to five trains per hour in each direction and the potential for services to destinations further afield;
electrification of the railway between Oxford Parkway-Bicester Village and Bletchley-
Tempsford to support faster and greener services on EWR using hybrid battery-electric trains;
enhancements to existing stations on the route to improve facilities and access for local communities;
a road underpass to replace the level crossing at London Road in Bicester, subject to securing third party funding;
detailed changes to infrastructure design across the route responding to local feedback and updated proposals on maintenance depots to support future operations.
These proposals underline the benefits EWR will bring to communities along the route. The launch of this consultation reinforces the Government’s commitment to their growth mission, realising the full potential of the Oxford to Cambridge growth corridor by supporting jobs, housing and economic activity.
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