Home   News   Article

Subscribe Now

‘Give us some answers on East West Rail plans’ South Cambridgeshire District Council leader urges




Urgent answers have been demanded over the government’s plans for East West Rail after the previous administration “left residents in limbo”.

Cllr Bridget Smith, the leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, said the authority had been calling on the East West Rail Company (EWR Co) to outline its proposals for the £7bn route but had “nothing back in return”. Now she has urged transport secretary Louise Haigh to divulge plans for the route, the location of stations, the timeline and whether it will be electrified.

Bridget Smith leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne. Picture: Keith Heppell
Bridget Smith leader of South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne. Picture: Keith Heppell

“We’ve been left out of the loop entirely when it comes to the government’s plans for EWR,” said Cllr Smith. “As local councillors and communities we know far more about the sorts of impacts any proposal will have than a far-off body can, and it’s so important that we can identify any of these issues early and address them, rather than being presented with a fait accompli by EWR Co,” she said.

The railway, which will connect Oxford to Cambridge via new stations at Cambourne and Tempsford, near St Neots, is intended to form a crucial link to boost the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. EWR Co, which was set up by the last government but is run at arms length, says the project will improve connectivity and boost investment.

A statutory consultation was due to start in June, but was delayed because of the General Election.

Cllr Smith (Lib Dem, Gamlingay) continued: “Before the General Election, EWR Co were getting ready to launch a public consultation on their as of-yet-unpublished plans. Labour need to tell us what’s happening so we can get on with our job – representing our residents.”

In her letter to the transport secretary, the council leader says it is “essential” for residents and the council to “understand what these plans look like”.

She writes: “The administration at South Cambridgeshire District Council have been clear since the last district council elections in 2022 that we support the principle of an East West Rail link and a mainline station serving Cambourne. Without high quality public transport, we cannot hope to reduce people’s reliance on cars and the air pollution, carbon emissions, congestion and increased cost of living that comes with it.

“Cambourne was built without much-needed public transport infrastructure and will benefit hugely from an East West Rail link.

“We have, however, reserved judgment on the final route and the location of the station because we are deeply concerned with the environmental impact of East West Rail, especially for villages along the route. The new station must be readily accessible by cycling or walking for the residents of Cambourne and surrounding villages. It goes without saying that only an electrified railway would be acceptable.

“The previous government left residents in limbo over East West Rail, a position that caused great anxiety to many. I would, therefore, be extremely grateful if you could provide some clarity on the government’s position on East West Rail, as well as set out in brief what developments we might expect to see moving forwards and at what timescales.”

Thousands of people have been living with uncertainty since they received Land Interest Questionnaires (LIQs) from EWR Co earlier this year because they own land or property along the proposed route.

Deputy council leader Cllr Brian Milnes (Lib Dem, Sawston) added: “We’ve asked East West Rail about the letters that residents east of Cambridge received, and we have not had a proper answer to our questions. Residents have been left hanging by EWR over its plans, leading to angry speculation.

“Those residents impacted by the scheme deserve to know, and urgently.”

Earlier this summer EWR Co’s new chief executive officer David Hughes took up his post. He joined EWR from ARUP where he has been major programmes director.

An East West Railway Company spokesperson said: “Due to the General Election, plans to deliver our consultation at the end of June were paused. However, work on the project has continued and we are working closely with the new government to confirm the next steps for the project. We are committed to keeping communities and landowners informed every step of the way and we aim to provide an update as soon as we are able to.”

The Department for Transport was contacted for comment.



Comments | 1
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More