Range of concerns in response to East West Rail consultation

More than 6,000 people responded to the latest East West Rail’s consultation, with concerns around embankment heights, the impact on the environment and the potential for increased traffic, noise and disruption among the issues raised.

This was the third non-statutory consultation from the East West Rail Company, which aims to create a direct railway line between Oxford and Cambridge.

A consultation report, published on Friday, picks up on themes that responders highlighted, as well as opinions from people living along the route.

Chief executive David Hughes said: “Listening to and understanding the views of local communities, representatives and stakeholders is fundamental to the way EWR will be designed, built and operated.

“Now that the consultation is closed, our team is carefully considering the feedback we received as we continue to develop proposals before holding a statutory consultation next year.”

Themes that were highlighted in the responses also include growth opportunities, community benefits and impacts, as well as safety and accessibility. One of the most prominent themes was around construction and logistics.

The report reveals concerns were raised about the impact on legally protected species such as Barbastelle bats and on local communities, including the potential for increased traffic, noise and disruption.

Comments were made about the proposed location of the Cambourne station, as well as about the proposed tunnel through Chapel Hill, which people felt would be disruptive to the landscape and local wildlife in Haslingfield, as well as the embankment height and visual impacts.

Concerns were also raised about disruption in villages in the Comberton to Shelford section from increased traffic and level crossing closures.

People also felt services should always include Cambridge North to avoid unnecessary work on the Newmarket line.

However, the turnback facility at Cherry Hinton was seen as beneficial to the East of Cambridge. Concerns were also raised about the reconstruction of Long Road bridge.

EWR Co says all the feedback it received will help inform its final design which will be revealed at its statutory consultation next year. It says detailed responses to the consultation will be provided in EWR’s You Said, We Did report, which will be published at the statutory consultation stage.