East West Rail is coming to and through Bedford train station

This Central Section builds on the Western Section, connecting Oxford and Bicester with services through to Bedford.

A Bedford Borough Council spokesman said: "This confirmation is excellent news for Bedford residents. Increased connectivity for our town will bring more opportunities to travel for work and leisure, as well as supporting our economic growth and prosperity, attracting businesses and jobs."

Recent modelling in the Bedford Borough Council Rail Strategy showed that East West Rail is forecast to bring over £20million of additional economic activity to our Borough. This could be additional investment, businesses, and jobs.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said “Bedford Borough Council recently launched a ‘Rail Strategy for Bedford’; setting out our vision for Bedford Borough to be a great place to live, work and visit and to create a Borough that attracts international business and highly skilled and sustainable jobs.

“This announcement is the first step in the delivery of this Strategy, and places Bedford at the heart of this key new infrastructure. Our Rail Strategy demonstrates our commitment to improving rail infrastructure for the benefit of local residents and a vibrant local economy.

“I would like to say thank you to our officers for all their hard work and to Cllr Michael Headley, who has sat on the East West Rail Consortium for a decade successfully pushing the case for Bedford.”