East West Rail: The next phase of the consultation has been launched - how to have your say over the route and possible new stations

Residents are being encouraged today (Wednesday) to take part in the next phase of public consultation over the East West Rail route.

The comments and ideas will feed into the design, construction and operation of this rail scheme.

Key areas of focus for the consultation include:

How to ensure that communities around Bletchley and the Marston Vale Line would get the most from significant investment in their railway line

Options for new stations at Bedford and Bedford St Johns and their supporting infrastructure

Five route alignment options for the section of East West Rail between Bedford and Cambridge, including an emerging preference for a station at Cambourne North

Plans for improving customer experience through better station design and more timely travel information

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is presenting developing plans for a new Bedford St Johns Station nearer to the hospital, and a complete redevelopment of Bedford Station itself.

The new railway would connect east and west, with direct journeys to Cambridge taking 35 minutes.

The company is also keen on feedback on the five proposed route alignments, connecting existing stations in Bedford and Cambridge with new stations serving communities in Cambourne and the area around Sandy and St Neots.

EWR Co will follow today's launch by mailing a summary of the consultation to 270,000 addresses along the route and will be holding a series of online events for communities and stakeholders.

There will be community events, live-chat sessions with EWR Co’s team of experts and an interactive virtual consultation room, launching on April 12.

Full details of the consultation are available hereMohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford and Kempston, said: “The East West Rail project is a once in a generation opportunity to bring vital new infrastructure, new opportunities and much needed investment to our great town.

"Once complete, Bedford will have a fantastic new station offering fast rail connections to Cambridge and London St Pancras.

"It’s an ambitious project which will inevitably bring disruption that will affect us all, and certainly some more severely than others. So, it’s vital that everyone engages with the consultation to ensure their voice is heard.

"I am excited about the opportunity for our town but of course I am also concerned about the impact of the proposals. I will be scrutinising the plans, which I’ve only just seen for the first time in detail and listening to residents and constituents before coming to any conclusions on a preferred route.”