East West Rail plans to be discussed at virtual borough council meeting - here's how to ask your questions

A virtual council meeting is set to be held to discuss Bedford Borough Council s response to the current East West Rail Company consultation.

And there will be a chance for you to ask your questions before the draft consultation response is discussed by members of the council. The papers for the meeting - including the council's response - are available to view online.

The council says its response sets out how the benefits to Bedford Borough can be maximised, including a comprehensive redevelopment of Bedford Midland Station, which it says supports regeneration of the station quarter and includes a new fast line platform, a new station at Wtewartby, and supporting the delivery of more homes in Bedford town centre - reducing pressure for development on greenfield sites.

It also proposes alterations to minimise the negative impacts of the East West Rail Company’s proposals on local communities, such as avoiding the need to demolish any homes in the Poets area of Bedford via a four-track solution, rather than the proposed six tracks, a major reduction in the viaduct required where the line passes south of Clapham, and the replacement of the proposed cutting to the east of Clapham around Carriage Drive with a tunnel.

The meeting will take place on Wednesday June 2 at 6.30pm.

Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the meeting will be held virtually via the council’s virtual committee meeting system and will be streamed live on YouTube.A facility will be set up at the Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square, Bedford to view the meeting online on a large screen. There will also be limited access to a computer for anyone selected to ask their question who is unable to join the meeting by other means.

But if you want to submit a question or comment, you will need to do so in advance by emailing [email protected] by 5pm on Tuesday 1 June.

With a high level of interest anticipated, it is unlikely that everyone that submits a question will be able to take part.

All the questions and comments received by the deadline will be collated and a selection of people will be invited to speak at the meeting, with a time limit of three minutes each, to ensure as many points are covered as possible.

A borough council spokesperson said, “This meeting of the council is not a replacement for the consultation being run by the East West Rail Company or a way to have your say in the consultation itself.

“Please visit www.eastwestrail.co.uk to attend their public events to find out more information about the proposals and have your say directly to the East West Rail Company.”

To reply to the East West Rail Company’s consultation visit www.eastwestrail.co.uk