East West Rail announces details of last route-wide public consultation

Last month, Callum Anderson highlighted local concerns during Transport Questions in Parliament. He questioned Heidi Alexander about what action the Department for Transport is taking to resolve outstanding issues.

Speaking on behalf of constituents, he said residents in Winslow and Bletchley are “increasingly frustrated at the lack of East West Rail passenger services”, and asked when they could expect a clear timetable for accessing the rail link.

He also said in a Facebook post that he had raised the issue with the Managing Director of Chiltern Railways and representatives from the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.

The MP added that he has written to the Rail Minister and remains in contact with the CEO of East West Railway.

He is also scheduled to host a reception in Parliament on 13 April with East West Rail, where he says he will again call on Government and the rail industry to work together to deliver services between Oxford, Bicester, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes as soon as possible.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has announced details of its final route-wide public consultation on updated plans for the railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

The eight-week consultation will run from 14 April to 9 June 2026, giving communities along the route the opportunity to have their say before a Development Consent Order is submitted in 2027.

The consultation will provide updated designs and information, including:

• New visualisation images of stations and fly-through animations
• More detail on a phased construction period to deliver parts of the project earlier
• Plans for new stations and upgrades to existing stations
• Proposed service patterns and carriage lengths to meet demand for a Universal theme park
• Information on level crossings
• Use of discontinuous electrification with hybrid electric/battery trains
• Measures to reduce environmental impacts and support biodiversity net gain

A series of 15 public drop-in events will be held along the route, allowing people to speak with EWR Co representatives, ask questions and provide feedback.

These will include:

• Weekend sessions
• Online webinars
• A Virtual Consultation Room with access to all materials online

All consultation materials will also be available online for those unable to attend in person.

Consultation event dates, times and locations are as follows:

EWR Co says it will continue engaging with communities as designs are finalised ahead of the DCO submission.

Chief Executive from ECR Co, David Hughes said:

“This consultation marks a major milestone for East West Rail as we move closer to delivering a once-in-a-generation project that will transform connectivity across the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor.

East West Rail is about far more than a new railway — it’s about unlocking opportunities for people and places, supporting new homes and jobs, and making it easier, faster and greener to travel between some of the UK’s most dynamic destinations.

We’ve listened carefully to feedback to shape these latest designs, which include plans to deliver benefits earlier through phased construction, improve accessibility, and support our net zero ambitions through innovative, lower-carbon technology.

I’d strongly encourage everyone along the route to take part in our last consultation. Your views are vital in helping us refine our plans and ensure East West Rail delivers lasting benefits for communities, businesses and the wider region for generations to come.”

Further information is available on the consultation website, (external website) and feedback must be submitted by 23:59 on 9 June 2026.