Could East West Rail impact 3,500-home Bourn Airfield plans?

Long-awaited plans to build 3,500 homes on the site of a former Second World War airfield could be at risk under the East West Rail proposals for a tunnel underneath it, a council says.

Planning officers warn clarity is needed over how the railway will impact the Bourn Airfield development amid fears it could “disrupt” the project by impacting approved routes, buildings and the proposed Cambourne to Cambridge (C2C) busway.

But little is known about the extent of the impact with South Cambridgeshire District Council stating that “limited technical details” in the East West Rail Company (EWR Co) consultation has prevented officers from providing “detailed and definitive feedback”. Estimates suggest construction of the Bedford to Cambridge section of the £6bn railway could take up to 10 years.

“Clarity is needed on how the route aligns with approved plans and measures to ensure the train project does not disrupt other projects’ timelines,” a report to the council’s Liberal Democrat cabinet said.

“Development at Bourn Airfield may commence before the train project starts, with properties occupied and strategic routes in use. It’s important to understand how these factors have been integrated into the train project plans and what steps will ensure minimal disruption for future residents.”

It added: “The council notes that there will be several areas that are due to have significant short-term traffic disruption (most notably the cut-and-fill tunnel under the A428 requiring temporary diversion of this road) and permanent road diversions are proposed around several villages within South Cambridgeshire.”

EWR Co is proposing a new cut-and-cover tunnel beneath the existing A428, the proposed Bourn Airfield development and Highfields Road, with associated tunnel service buildings and an emergency excavation shaft.

A temporary diversion of the existing A428 linked to the construction of the cut-and-cover tunnel, and temporary or permanent diversion of other highways and public rights of way would be needed.

The report continues: “The A428 Bourn Airfield tunnel construction will be particularly disruptive, affecting existing properties in Highfields and Caldecote and potentially new residents in the Bourn Airfield development. Noise from railway construction and future station activity at Cambourne will add to the impact.”

The £200million C2C busway, which is “inextricably linked” to the Bourn Airfield development and others along the corridor, will receive £37.7m in developer contributions from these schemes to fund the project with £20m from the airfield development alone. Previously, Greater Cambridge Partnership interim director Peter Blake stated that both need to be “brought forward in concert”.

Fears were raised by councillors about the impact of East West Rail on the C2C busway earlier this year, but were told that it was not a “material consideration” due to planning permission not being issued.

An EWR Co spokesperson said: “We remain committed to working hand-in-hand with the local communities that East West Rail will serve. Constructive and frequent dialogue with the council and other stakeholders is central to this process, and we truly value any feedback that we will receive.

“We will carefully review all consultation responses in detail as we move forward.”

The line is due to connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

The updated proposals, which are out for consultation, contain revised infrastructure and design plans for a new stretch of railway between Bedford and Cambridge, including tunnels beneath the A428, plus essential railway improvement works to upgrade the existing railway between Oxford and Bedford.

The updates follow feedback to previous non-statutory consultation and further technical design work.