• Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Archive
    • Advertise
      • About Us
      • 2021 Media Pack
      • Features
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

PSBNews

Banner
  • Home
  • News
  • Features
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Archive
    • Advertise
      • About Us
      • 2021 Media Pack
      • Features
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

First new railway in 50 years between Oxford and Bletchley takes major step forward

by Francesca February 5, 2020February 5, 2020
written by Francesca February 5, 2020February 5, 2020
First new railway in 50 years between Oxford and Bletchley takes major step forward

The first direct rail link in more than 50 years between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury has been given the green light for further work.

Today (Tuesday 4 February) the Secretary of State for Transport approved Network Rail’s Transport and Works Act Order application, granting permission for work to begin on the next phase of East West Rail.

Once complete, phase 2 of East West Rail would connect communities and businesses between Oxford and Bedford, and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, with:

  • Two trains per hour each way between Oxford and Milton Keynes
  • One train per hour each way between Oxford and Bedford
  • One train per hour each way between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury

The new railway will also connect the Great Western main line, Chiltern main line, West Coast main line and Midland main line – providing passengers with much-improved cross-country rail links from East to West.

This would help create jobs, boost economic growth, encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport and enable sustainable housing development for generations to come.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for Network Rail’s North West & Central Region, said: 

“Building a new railway would transform connectivity and journey times across the heart of the country. East West Rail promises to provide a greener, low carbon transport system which will bring huge benefits to passengers and businesses – driving economic growth and creating opportunities for housing and new jobs.” 

Cllr Mark Shaw, chairman of the East West Rail Consortium, an alliance of local authorities which produced the original business case for the scheme, said: 

“This has to go down as one of the most exciting weeks in the history of East West Rail, with approval to begin major construction of the Western section coming just days after the preferred route between Bedford and Cambridge was announced. East West Rail will transform the way people travel within and across the region, supporting communities, boosting businesses, unlocking job opportunities, and getting people out of their cars. The Consortium and the local authorities along the line will continue to work with Network Rail and its partners to ensure the western section is now delivered as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

With phase 1 between Oxford and Bicester already complete, phase 2 involves track and signalling upgrades between Bicester, Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, including reinstating a disused section of railway between Bletchley and Claydon Junction, north of Aylesbury Vale Parkway.

The work will deliver significant improvements to local travel, with the phased introduction of new rail journeys between:

  • Oxford and Milton Keynes: with trains stopping at Oxford Parkway, Bicester, Winslow and Bletchley.
  • Oxford and Bedford: with trains stopping at Oxford Parkway, Bicester, Winslow, Bletchley, Woburn Sands and Ridgmont.
  • Milton Keynes and Aylesbury: with trains stopping at Bletchley, Winslow and Aylesbury Vale Parkway

The East West Rail project is planned to be built progressively in phases, and once constructed would create a world-class rail link connecting Oxford, Bicester, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

For more information you can visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/east-west-rail/

0 comment
0
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Francesca

previous post
The countdown for Surface Design Show 2020 has begun, less than a week to go until the best in UK and International surface design comes to London
next post
Savista Developments gets green light for Bath care home development

Related Articles

Network Rail announces £640m contract awards to deliver...

January 8, 2020

Councils appoint new Director of Planning and Infrastructure

October 8, 2019

Network Rail invites £1bn private sector investment in...

April 27, 2021

Reliability improvements ahead for Essex rail passengers

September 14, 2020

National Construction firm makes progress on six Northern...

June 30, 2021

Network Rail investing over £100m to upgrade railway...

March 10, 2021

Network Rail and Vivarail bring the next-generation battery...

September 28, 2021

New Road Network ‘Takes Off’

March 9, 2020

Budget 2020: The knock-on effects for infrastructure projects

March 12, 2020

London Assembly Transport Chair calls for rail industry...

July 15, 2019

Latest Issue

Search our website

Twitter Feed

Tweets by @PSBN_Social


 

Popular Posts

  • 1

    500 Cornish-type housing association homes get high-performance insulation in Herefordshire

    February 5, 2019
  • 2

    Braeburn Estates hands over innovative social housing scheme to Homes for Lambeth – with “game changing” new development model

    January 21, 2019
  • 3

    The 2019 Surface Design Show focus: Workplace and Public Realm

    December 2, 2018
  • 4

    Skanska completes Royal Papworth Hospital construction

    April 30, 2019
  • 5

    Understanding the current state of the student accommodation market

    April 15, 2019

Categories

  • Case Studies
  • Education
  • Features
  • Hospitals + Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Infrastructure
  • Latest News
  • News
  • Products
  • Project News
  • Uncategorized
  • Videos

Recent Posts

  • Construction starts on major mixed-use development in Wakefield

    June 23, 2022
  • Pagabo reveals winners for £1.56BN civils and infrastructure framework

    June 23, 2022
  • IWJS awarded contract extensions with two long-standing clients

    June 23, 2022
  • Lovell welcomes Salford City Mayor as new Show Homes unveiled

    June 23, 2022
  • Bouygues UK Hands Over West Hub to the University of Cambridge

    June 23, 2022

About Public Sector Building News

 

Public Sector Building News is a monthly leading trade publication that is valued within the industry.

The magazine works as an effective marketing tool for our clients, being seen by key decision makers leads to valued work within the lucrative public sector building industry.

Every issue of Public Sector Building News provides an update of news, current and upcoming projects, industry comment, interviews, articles, features and product information – covering all areas of importance to our readers.

Other Publications

Architect Projects
Construction UK Magazine
Luxury Hospitality Magazine
Luxury Interiors Magazine
Refurb Renovation News
Restaurant Industry Magazine

Editor’s Picks

  • Construction starts on major mixed-use development in Wakefield

    June 23, 2022
  • Pagabo reveals winners for £1.56BN civils and infrastructure framework

    June 23, 2022
  • IWJS awarded contract extensions with two long-standing clients

    June 23, 2022

Published by Lapthorn Media LTD

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.