Frequently Asked Questions
Q: It has been announced that the East West Rail link between Oxford and Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury is going ahead. What happens now?
A: Network Rail and the East West Rail Consortium are developing a detailed project plan to deliver the core East West Rail scheme between Bedford and Oxford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury by December 2017.
Early work is now underway to survey structures and start environmental impact assessments along the route. The findings will be used to develop detailed design proposals.
The Bedford to Oxford section is also to be electrified as part of a national scheme to create an ‘electric spine’ to enhance passenger and freight services, which has changed the scope of the original East West Rail scheme. Network Rail published their strategic business plan for the spending period 2014 to 2019, in which they set out their plan to deliver the Bedford – Oxford, Milton Keynes – Aylesbury East West Rail scheme by December 2017. The Network Rail Strategic Business Plan also proposes to electrify the Oxford to Bletchley section by December 2017 with the timing of electrification of the Bedford to Bletchley section to be determined by the timing of the electrification of the Midland Main Line. The finer details on electrification will not be available before 31 October 2013 when the Office of Rail Regulation makes a final decision on available funding for 2014-2019
In the meantime, Network Rail’s East West Rail project team is exploring ways in which to integrate the two schemes to minimise disruption during the construction phase and to deliver both schemes efficiently.
Q. What is the timescale for construction of the East West Rail link?
A: Work will be delivered in phases. The expected phasing of work is as follows:
2013 -2014
Oxford to Bicester
2014 – 2017
Oxford area re-modelling
Bicester / Aylesbury to Bletchley including electrification*
2017 – 2019
Bletchley to Bedford including electrification*
Bedford area re-modelling
*These are provisional timescales – see answer to question 1 with regard to electrification
Q. I would like to find out more about the plans for East West Rail – who can I speak to?
A. Members of the East West Rail Consortium are happy to discuss the project and keep you informed of developments. You may subscribe for email updates on this website. We will attend local meetings and community events to keep you informed , answer questions and discuss any concerns you may have about the railway. To get in touch, please email our Communications Manager, Caryl Jones on caryl.jones@bedford.gov.uk or call 07785 927210
Q. What does the July 2012 Government announcement mean for East West Rail?
A: The Government has now confirmed the intention set out in the November 2011 Autumn Statement to re-open the rail link between Oxford, Bicester and Bedford, including spurs to Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. In addition the Oxford to Bedford link will be electrified to form part of the “electric spine” of the national strategic railway network. In making this commitment the Government has confirmed that the East-West Rail Consortium has demonstrated a strong case that includes a projected £38m annual uplift to the South East economy and the potential to create up to 12,000 new jobs and stimulate growth along the route. The announcement reaffirms the aim for East West Rail services to be running by December 2017.
Q: Why has Government supported East West Rail?
A: A: The railway will provide a new strategic link between the Thames Valley area, the West Coast Main Line and the Midland Main Line. It connects areas where rapid population growth is being experienced and provides a link between three strategic north-south routes, enabling services to avoid congested London and West Midlands areas. Train services on the new route are forecast to create up to 12,000 new jobs and generate over £38m a year for the regional economy. Part of the funding for the work will be provided by local authorities within the East West Rail Consortium.
Q: When will it be ready by?
A: The aim is for the new East West Rail services to be running between Oxford and Bedford by December 2017. Full electrification between Bletchley and Bedford by Spring 2019
Q: What services will use it?
A: It is likely to be used by a mixture of local and long distance passenger trains and some freight trains. The exact pattern of services has yet to be determined but the East West Rail Consortium has proposed an hourly train from Reading or Didcot to Bedford via Oxford and Bletchley, an hourly train from Reading or Didcot to Milton Keynes via Oxford and Bletchley and an extension of the Chiltern Railway service from London Marylebone via Aylesbury and Bletchley to Milton Keynes
Q. What is the expected traffic frequency?
A. Final train services and stopping pattern will emerge as the start of train services gets closer, but the assumptions made within the EWR prospectus are as follows:
- One train per hour (1tph) Oxford and Milton Keynes, stopping at Water Eaton Parkway, Bicester, Winslow and Bletchley. These services could also start from Reading or Didcot.
Journey Times:
- Oxford to Milton Keynes 40 minutes
- Reading to Milton Keynes 84 minutes
Journey Times:
- Oxford to Bedford 60 minutes
- Reading to Bedford 106 minutes
Journey Times:
- Milton Keynes to Aylesbury 33 minutes
- High Wycombe to Milton Keynes 63 minutes
Q: Who will build and own the track and infrastructure?
A: The railway is owned by Network Rail, who are being funded to rebuild it by the Department for Transport, working in partnership with the East West Rail Consortium, who will provide funding for a share of the costs.
Q: Why haven’t you committed to go all the way to Cambridge?
A: Plans for the Bedford – Cambridge section of the old Oxford – Cambridge Railway (the ‘Varsity Line) are less well developed. The railway was closed forty years ago and in places the original track has been built over. The Government has said it will work with the East West Rail Consortium to determine if the Bedford – Cambridge route may be similarly funded in future years.
Q: Can you tell me the expected type and speed of trains on this line?
A. Prior to the July 2012 announcement on electrification, the assumption on rolling stock was that Class 172 DMUs would be used, but initially, it may be Class 165/166 depending on the franchisee selected and the cascading of rolling stock from existing train operations. Detailed design work is required to fully factor in the electrification decision announced in July 2012 before an informed view can be made on what rolling stock is likely to serve the electric spine element of East West Rail. Line speeds will be variable according to particular locations but in general they are expected to be up to around 100 mph on the Oxford to Milton Keynes and to Bedford and up to 90 mph on the link to Aylesbury.
Q. What noise mitigation measures do you plan?
A. During the course of the further development of the East West Rail project, assessment of predicted noise and vibration levels arising from both construction works and future train operations will be derived from recognised national guidance. Where noise predictions show a potential for significant impacts, mitigation measures will be established in accordance with national guidelines. Vibrations from trains are very unlikely to cause structural damage to houses and buildings near the railway. However, if necessary, we will inspect the infrastructure in the vicinity of any potential problems.
Q. What will be the impact to the countryside by having to upgrade the existing disused route to two tracks and electrified with large overhead gantries?
A. An Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) will be carried out in accordance with the Town Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2011.
The EIA tool is a well-defined process, and can be used to create successful sustainable developments that are economically and environmentally beneficial. The EIA will address all relevant issues relating to the environmental effects of the scheme including Cultural Heritage, Wildlife, Landscape, Noise and Vibration, Road Traffic and Rights of Way, Businesses and Communities, and Sustainability.
Q. What compensation schemes are you proposing and what will be the qualifying criteria for these?
A: The current plans for the project include the upgrading of existing lines as well as re-instating a section of mothballed track. All new and upgraded trackworks will be undertaken within existing railway land and therefore it is very unlikely that there will be an adverse impact on existing property adjacent to the railway.
Q. Will the impact of additional train services lead to more delays at level crossings and if so will new bridges or underpasses be provided in their place?
A. Wherever possible it is desirable to close crossings and either replace them with a diversion, a bridge or an underpass. Where it is not possible to do so (due to the existence of existing development) the operations of existing crossings will be evaluated to ensure the least possible downtime of barriers to road traffic.
Q. Will pedestrians be allowed to walk over the electrified line using existing crossings?
A: There are strict standards governing footpaths across railway lines and Network Rail will work with the local authorities to review every footpath along the route to make sure it meets those standards. Some footpaths may be re-routed to make the railway crossing safer or provided with a bridge or subway.