East West Rail reset plan to speed up construction
East West Rail reset plan to speed up construction
East West Rail has unveiled a major delivery reset to accelerate its £5bn–£6bn construction programme by switching from a traditional sequential build to parallel delivery across multiple sections.
The move, revealed in its latest consultation, will see key packages of work brought forward and delivered at the same time rather than waiting for earlier phases to complete – a shift designed to cut programme risk and bring earlier benefits to passengers and developers.
Under the previous model, the railway would have been delivered in stages linking Oxford to Cambridge in sequence. The new approach instead breaks the route into live construction packages that can progress independently and open as they are finished.
Key packages being accelerated
Marston Vale line upgrade
Track, electrification and infrastructure works between Oxford and Stewartby will be brought forward to enable four trains an hour by the early 2030s. This section becomes the first major operational spine of the route.
Bedford station rebuild
A full redevelopment including new platforms, a western entrance and transport hub upgrades will now be delivered earlier to create a central interchange and unlock onward phases.
Tempsford new station and interchange
The proposed East Coast Main Line interchange will start around 2030 – five years earlier than planned – supporting a new town and future east-west and north-south connectivity.
Cambridge upgrades and new stations
Works including Cambridge East station and network enhancements will be accelerated to integrate with existing services ahead of full route completion.
Stewartby station for Universal resort
A new station on the Marston Vale line will be prioritised to support the proposed theme park and drive early passenger demand.
Crucially, parts of this work will be delivered ahead of the full Development Consent Order, allowing enabling works, station upgrades and track improvements to start earlier and run in parallel with the main consent process.
The reset also locks in higher capacity from day one, with provision for up to five trains an hour and longer trains, alongside hybrid battery-electric rolling stock to reduce upfront electrification costs and simplify delivery.
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Chief executive David Hughes said: “These updated proposals mark a major step forward for East West Rail to help ensure communities see the benefits of the project sooner as we finalise the design. Faster delivery, more frequent services and new stations will help unlock housing, support new jobs and attract investment.
“By bringing forward key elements of the railway and planning for increased demand, we are helping to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support future growth and opportunities for our communities.”
Rail minister Lord Peter Hendy added: “East West Rail will unlock the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, providing greater connectivity across the region and delivering on our Plan for Change mission to drive economic growth, jobs and homes.”
Consultation on the reset runs until June 9 ahead of a Development Consent Order submission in 2027, with early works expected to begin ahead of phased openings through the 2030s.
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