Opinion: BRTA's reflections around recent East-West Rail announcements
The East-West Rail's announcements regarding rails between Oxford-Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge puts a forceful front of having listened, but sadly based on a false premise that consultations hitherto have been fair and inclusive.
The recent announcement by East-West Rail raises as many questions as it seeks to answer. Does it mention suitability of the northern route for freight? Does the closure of 4 stations between Bedford and Bletchley mean the end of local shuttle service serving rural communities which are growing and reliant on the railway? No mention of a Claydon Station, no mention of a Bletchley West Station (Newton Longville area) and what of the Aylesbury link - parked up, but should be there from day one surely?
Physical lines linking the main north-south railway north of Tempsford are needed for Peterborough, East Beds and Stevenage to Bedford and the Oxford corridor a likewise Huntingdon to Addenbrookes (Cambridge South) and does Cambridge East new station mean end of stations aspirations for Fulbourn and Cherry Hinton? Food for thought. Although our route east of Bedford via St John's is rejected, the corridor should be protected as a back-up and default or even an extra. Do not forget 40, 000 + new town at Tempsford - will it get a new A&E Hospital (Bedford and elsewhere existing are at capacity)?
There is also the additional question of the population of Northampton and the A428 corridor being disenfranchised with no direct rail link to the Northern Route and access to Bedford Midland for Thameslink integration not being designed-into the scheme of tracks, trains and that of integrative railways generally to optimise networking effects, flows and benefits.
These issues or their consideration makes BRTA concerned as things unfold and a feeling the who set up to be robust, is akin to a bull in a china shop - not inclusive and comprehensive enough.