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Government to confirm East West Rail route to Cambridge in May, the Chancellor has revealed in the Spring Budget




The route for the Bedford to Cambridge section of East West Rail will be confirmed in May, the Chancellor has revealed in today’s (Wednesday, March 15) Spring Budget.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street with his ministerial box, before delivering his Budget (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (63010120)
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt leaves 11 Downing Street with his ministerial box, before delivering his Budget (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (63010120)

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said the controversial rail line will “support further growth in life sciences and other high-productivity sectors” in the region by connecting businesses and talent.

“In May, the government will confirm the route for the new Bedford-Cambridge section, and will provide capacity funding to support local authorities to develop their plans for strategic economic growth around new stations,” he added.

Beth West, CEO of the East West Railway Company, said the announcement provides a “level of certainty” for people.

“The government’s route update announcement that is set for May will provide a level of certainty that I know a lot of people have been waiting for. It will enable us to press ahead with our plans and deliver a faster, more sustainable and affordable way to travel that meets local needs and improves daily lives,” she said.

East West Rail, a new line from Oxford to Cambridge expected to cost around £5bn, is already under way, but there have been question marks over whether the Bedford to Cambridge section would proceed as planned amid heated debate over the route.

East West Rail event at Cambridge Belfry Hotel and Spa, in Back Lane, Great Cambourne Picture: Keith Heppell
East West Rail event at Cambridge Belfry Hotel and Spa, in Back Lane, Great Cambourne Picture: Keith Heppell

In November’s Autumn Statement, Mr Hunt had said East West Rail will be “funded as promised”. But calls have continued for the East West Rail Company to bring certainty over the route to Cambridge as soon as possible.

The railway company, which is developing the plans for the £5bn route, says it has been “refining” the proposals based on feedback from its 2021 consultation.

Cambridge Approaches, a campaign group, argues there is a stronger case for the route to approach Cambridge from the north.

Co-founder William Harrold has been calling for the East West Rail Company to publish a business case to justify the southern route, but has yet to have a response.

Campaigners at the Haslingfield drop-in event, with their white elephant and the cherry picker showing the potential height of the East West Rail embankment that could be built through the community Picture: Cambridge Approaches (63009994)
Campaigners at the Haslingfield drop-in event, with their white elephant and the cherry picker showing the potential height of the East West Rail embankment that could be built through the community Picture: Cambridge Approaches (63009994)

He told the Cambridge Independent: “We still await any business case, but if it has to be built then the northern approach remains cheaper, at least as good for economic benefits, less environmental impact, more suited to freight and will cause less disruption to London rail commuters during the years of construction.”

This week, South East Cambridgeshire MP Lucy Frazer said a northern approach into Cambridge for the central section of East West Rail would be “unsuitable” for the area.

The Tory MP and culture secretary said in a statement posted on social media: “Whilst public transport links are vital for the prosperity of our local area, the proposed northern route into Cambridge for the final phase of East West Rail is unsuitable for our area.

“I support a southern route and the benefits that it would bring. It is clear that it would support our booming science sector and open the door to potential rail expansion in the future, enabling Cambridgeshire and the UK to benefit from the economic benefits it could bring.”

Transport secretary Mark Harper has said that the remaining sections of the East West Rail route will only go ahead if it “fully stacks up” and is in the “national interest”.



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