Project Board meeting 13th December – East West Rail update

The East West Rail project board met on 13th December to consider in more detail the implications of the announcement made in the Autumn Statement that the western section of East West Rail will go ahead subject to two conditions being met by Spring 2012: namely a satisfactory business case and a satisfactory local contribution.

Together with representatives of the rail industry and the Department for Transport, the Project Board began discussions on establishing how the conditions could be met. The strength of the business case developed by the Consortium to date was acknowledged. The Consortium will continue to work across all local authorities along the western section together with rail industry partners and the Department of Transport to identify a satisfactory local contribution.

The meeting expressed confidence that the two conditions can and will be met.