The East West Main Line Partnership – the new name of the relaunched East West Rail Consortium – says that the scale of construction needed on the Marston
Development of the eastern section of East West Rail is key to improving connectivity across the UK, according to Transport East.
In its entirety, the East West Rail project will provide a link between Oxford and Cambridge.
According to Transport East, the eastern section would complement the rest of the project and “enhance connectivity from the East of England across the UK to Wales and interchange with new connections to Scotland”.
The project is being built in phases and the western section between Oxford and Bicester – phase 1 – was completed in December 2016. A £760M funding boost from the government - announced last month - means “further vital construction work can begin” on the next phase between Bicester and Bletchley. It is expected to be up and running by 2025.
Published:
9:57 AM January 23, 2021
Updated:
12:25 PM January 23, 2021
The proposed direct rail links between Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge and Oxford in the Eastern Section’ prospectus. Picture: East West Rail Consortium
- Credit: East West Rail Consortium
A multi-million pound project to restore rail routes axed more than 50 years ago could pave the way for better connectivity for Norfolk and Suffolk.
The Department for Transport (DfT) said £760m will support the next phase of East West Rail to reinstate services between Bicester, Oxfordshire and Bletchley, Buckinghamshire for the first time since 1968.
The project is part of a wider wish-list that could unlock faster journey times and more services between Norwich and Cambridge, and Ipswich and Cambridge, as well as direct links to Oxford.