
Proposed East West Rail consultation response to be reviewed by transport committee
A proposed response to a consultation on the new East West Rail (EWR) line, connecting Oxford and Cambridge, will be reviewed by the Transport and Infrastructure Committee this week.
The EWR project, which has the Government’s backing, aims to improve transport links, reduce congestion, and support economic growth, while also promoting sustainable development.
EWR is planning to bring better access to jobs and education, linking world class universities and clusters of innovative enterprise along the corridor, which will in turn foster further investment to create employment, boost business and grow the economy.
The EWR line is supported in the Combined Authority’s Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) for the region. EWR has the potential to help enable the LTCP’s vision by reducing pressure on roads, promoting cleaner, healthier journeys and reducing environmental impacts from transport. By linking EWR in with ongoing work to reform buses, as well as existing rail services and cycling and walking upgrades, the scheme can support the Combined Authority’s goal to create a joined-up transport network for the region, and provide more choice for residents over the way they travel.
The East West Rail Company (EWRC) non-statutory consultation focuses on the eastern section of the route from Bletchley to Cambridge and Cherry Hinton. At its meeting on January 24, the Transport and Infrastructure Committee will review a detailed draft consultation response to reflect the region’s priorities. This proposed response was developed with input from the Combined Authority’s board members and committees made up of local councillors from across the region and business representatives.
The proposed response focuses on broad strategic transport, environmental and growth matters for the region. It is acknowledged that local councils and other groups will respond with more detailed feedback about their particular areas.
Some key responses the committee will consider are:
- Protecting the environment: Ensuring there is a net gain for local biodiversity, and conducting thorough Environmental Impact Assessments to better understand the implications of the development.
- Electrification: Calling for the rail line to be fully electrified from day one to meet net-zero carbon targets.
- Active travel connections: Improving first- and last-mile travel through better walking, cycling, and bus links.
- Unlocking new stations: Safeguarding land for potential future stations near St. Neots and Wintringham to support sustainable development objectives
- Freight: Supporting rail freight to cut road traffic and boost sustainable transport of goods.
- Community and accessibility: Reducing barriers caused by rail infrastructure with accessible stations, pedestrian and cycle-friendly crossings, and community-focused planning.
- Managing construction impacts: Putting strong measures in place to manage noise, traffic, and disruption during construction.
- Ongoing connections: Benefits of EWR should support more of the East of England by ensuring robust connections with existing regional and national rail networks.
Cllr Anna Smith, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Transport and Infrastructure Committee, said: “The Committee’s review will ensure that the region’s needs are clearly set out to the East West Rail Company. The Combined Authority is supportive of an East West Rail line, but it is vital that this major opportunity to upgrade our public transport infrastructure delivers real improvements for people in our region. It is absolutely right, therefore, that the committee highlights areas that need to be addressed. By tackling key environmental, social, and economic issues, we can ensure this project works for everyone.”
The response will be submitted after the committee meeting concludes.
A statutory consultation on EWR is currently planned for later in 2025.
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority has a mission to ensure that transport across the region is cleaner, greener, more efficient and reliable and provides residents with choice over their journeys.
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