East West Rail: Route Update Announcement
Today, the route update for East West Rail (EWR), which will see new train services connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge are moving one step closer - unlocking the area’s potential to create jobs, grow the economy and attract investment for the entire country.
Our proposals will slash journey times across the region, create new opportunities for people to access jobs, green spaces and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
Our news is part of a wider government announcement the Chancellor of the Exchequer made this morning about plans to bolster the UK’s position as a global science superpower.
This announcement recognises that delivering this new line is critical to improving connections between UK science powerhouses Oxford and Cambridge and will bring more investment to the region.
Alongside this announcement, we have also launched our Need to Sell scheme, which sets out support available for those property owners potentially impacted by EWR and takes into consideration the feedback received during our 2021 consultation.
About this route update announcement
In 2021, we consulted with people on proposals for East West Rail and since then we’ve continued to have conversations and build relationships with communities, businesses and other stakeholders across the route.
Listening to and understanding the views of people living and working in the communities EWR would serve is fundamental to the way the new rail connection is designed, built and operated.
This route update is the next major milestone in the planning process and covers three key elements: route preferences, route-wide matters and the next steps in the Project.
It outlines the range of benefits EWR would bring to the region including opening up new journeys, cutting travel times, easing congestion on local roads and bringing more jobs within reach of local people. The route update announcement will also underline the detailed Strategic Case for EWR and its ability to unlock growth potential both in the region and the UK as a whole.
Preferred Route Alignment
Based on our work since 2021, we’ve updated our preferred route alignment. Below you can see the latest map of the proposed East West Rail route.