East West Rail’s consultation for Bedford closes on Wednesday

The East West Rail consultation has only a day to run before it closes tomorrow (June 9).

More than 270,000 households in Bedford were contacted by the East West Railway Company (EWRC) during the consultation – which opened on March 31.

EWRC's plan caused huge controversy as it would require over 50 homes to be compulsorily purchased and potentially demolished, nearly 50 more to lose some of their land or gardens and another rebuilding of the Bromham Road Bridge causing further disruption to residents.

Bedford Borough Council even commissioned a study which claimed the service could run with the four existing lines and avoid the need to demolish homes in the Poets areaDuring the consulation, people were encouraged to talk through a range of options with webinars, people writing to EWRC directly, or taking part in the company's live-chat events,

Simon Blanchflower CBE, chief executive of East West Railway Company, said: “I’d like to thank everyone who has already submitted a response to the East West Rail consultation. If you are intending to respond, please do read the materials and share your views with us by June 9 using the feedback form“We are delighted that so many people have already taken the opportunity to give their views on our developing plans for the railway. Getting this feedback is so important: your views will help us make sure we can make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide new, reliable, sustainable transport for communities from Oxford to Cambridge.”

The consultation report will be published later in the year.