View source for East West Rail

{{Short description|Plan for an Oxford–Cambridge railway line}}
{{About|the English railway line under construction between Oxford and Cambridge|the proposed railway in Nepal|East-West Railway|the proposed railway in Massachusetts|East-West Passenger Rail (Massachusetts)  |other uses|East–West line (disambiguation){{!}}East–West line}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox future infrastructure project
|property_name = East West Rail
|image_name = EWR Logo CMYK Black.png
|image2_name = East West Rail.svg
|image2_size = 260px
|caption2 = Map of the full proposed route
|location = {{ubl|[[Oxfordshire]]|[[Buckinghamshire]]|[[Bedfordshire]]|[[Cambridgeshire]]}}
|proposer = East West Main Line Partnership <!--this line  is to show which organisation originally pushed for it to happen, -->
|official website = {{URL|https://eastwestrail.co.uk}}
|status = {{Ubl|Oxford{{ndash}}Bedford: Under construction|Bedford{{ndash}}Cambridge: Planned}}
|type = Railway
|estimated cost = £1.085 billion (Bicester{{ndash}}Bedford plus Aylesbury spur){{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=57}}
|max cost =
|min cost =
|planned start = 
|planned finish = {{ubl|Oxford{{ndash}}Bletchley/Milton Keynes: 2025<ref name="EWRNewsLetter2022">{{Cite web |date=May 2022 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter{{snd}} Spring 2022 |url=https://sway.office.com/penYHIPAYvU8c7oc |publisher=East West Rail Alliance |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner}} (Winslow Station progress update)</ref><ref name="BBC 080324" />|Bedford{{ndash}}Cambridge: "early 2030s"<ref name="BBC 080324" />}}
|osm_id = 16675395
|supporters =
|stakeholders =
|opponents =
|geometry = 
}}
{{East West Rail |collapse=}}

'''East West Rail''' is a strategic aim to establish a new [[Main line (railway)|main line railway]] between [[East Anglia]] and [[Oxfordshire]], with potential services as far as [[Cardiff]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coast-to-coast connectivity |url=https://eastwestrail.org.uk/coast-to-coast-connectivity/ |access-date=3 October 2023 |publisher=East West Mainline Partnership}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/network-rail-looks-to-build-out-from-east-west-rail-07-04-2022/|title = Network Rail looks to build out from East West Rail |date = 7 April 2022 |magazine=New Civil Engineer}}</ref> The immediate plan is to build (or rebuild) a line linking [[Oxford]] and [[Cambridge]] via [[Bicester]], [[Milton Keynes]] (at [[Bletchley]]) and [[Bedford]], largely using the [[trackbed]] of the former [[Varsity Line]]. Thus it provides a potential route between any or all of the [[Great Western Main Line|Great Western]], [[Chiltern Main Line|Cotswold]], [[Chiltern Main Line|Chiltern]], [[West Coast Main Line|West Coast]], [[Midland Main Line|Midland]], [[East Coast Main Line|East Coast]], [[West Anglia Main Line|West Anglia]] and [[Great Eastern Main Line|Great Eastern]] main lines, avoiding London. The route opens the possibility of future services between {{rws|Southampton Central}} or {{rws|Swansea}} and [[Ipswich railway station|Ipswich]] or [[Norwich railway station|Norwich]], using existing onward lines. The government approved the western section (between [[Oxford railway station|Oxford]] and [[Bedford railway station|Bedford]]) in November 2011.<ref name=goahead/> The eastern section (east of Cambridge), the new  Bedford{{ndash}}Cambridge route and the Oxford{{ndash}}Bedford improvements are categorised as a [[nationally significant infrastructure project]].<ref>{{cite web |title=East West Rail{{ndash}} Bedford to Cambridge and Western improvements |url=https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/eastern/east-west-rail-bedford-to-cambridge-and-western-improvements/# |publisher=HM Planning Inspectorate |access-date=23 July 2021}}</ref>

The line was initially promoted (as the '''East West Rail Link''') by the '''East-West Rail Consortium''', a consortium of local authorities and interested bodies along the route. In 2013 it was adopted by the [[Department for Transport]] and, in late 2017, the government announced that it would be delivered by a [[quango]], the '''East West Railway Company''', rather than by [[Network Rail]].<ref name=Grayling/> <!-- EWRC don't do any actual construction work. For Bicester-Bletchley, that's the EWR Alliance. -->

The plan is divided into three sections:
*"Western section" between Oxford and Bedford on the former Varsity Line route, taking advantage of the recently reconstructed [[Oxford-Bicester line]] and the existing Bletchley{{ndash}}Bedford [[Marston Vale line]] (leaving just Bicester{{ndash}}Bletchley to be rebuilt).<ref name=EWRCo2016>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/train-services/ |title=Train Services |url-status=dead |date=6 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517170742/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/train-services/ |archive-date=17 May 2016 |publisher=East West Rail Company}}</ref> 
**the original scope of this section included a branch line to {{rws|Aylesbury}}:<ref name=EWRCo2016 /> In May 2023, the EWR Company announced that this branch was not being funded.<ref name=BH310523/>
*"Central section" from Bedford to Cambridge over a substantially new alignment; in May 2023, the Company [[#2023 Bedford–Cambridge preferred route|announced its preferred route]] for statutory consultation.
*"Eastern section" from Cambridge to Norwich, Felixstowe and Ipswich on existing lines.

Phase 1 of the western section, the segment from Oxford via {{rws|Bicester Village}} to the junction with the Chiltern Main Line, has been operational since December 2016.<ref name="Chiltern Launch Dec 16">{{cite web|title=Chiltern Oxford Launch|url=http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/chiltern-railways-announces-oxford-city-centre-london-marylebone-launch-date|website=Chiltern Railways News|publisher=Chiltern Railways|access-date=20 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160516171319/http://www.chilternrailways.co.uk/news/chiltern-railways-announces-oxford-city-centre-london-marylebone-launch-date|archive-date=16 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> In April 2020, engineering work began on the route of the Bicester{{ndash}}Bletchley segment. Trackwork was completed in early 2024;<ref name="BBC 080324" /> commercial services between Oxford and {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}} are to begin in the latter half of 2025.<ref name="New EWRCo">{{cite news |title=Restructured East West Rail can ‘reset’ industry’s reputation, says CEO |agency=Rail Business UK |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/restructured-east-west-rail-can-reset-industrys-reputation-says-ceo/67783.article |website=Railway Gazette |date=13 November 2024}}</ref>  Engineering work to bring the Bletchley{{ndash}}Bedford segment up to the same standard is planned for 2025{{ndash}}2030.<ref name="New EWRCo" />

==History==

===Origins===
The link is promoted by the East West Rail Main Line Partnership, an association of [[local authority|local authorities]] originally called the "East West Rail Consortium", initiated by [[Ipswich Borough Council]] in 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Consortium |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/about-us-2/ |access-date=21 November 2022 |publisher=East West Consortium}}</ref> 
The council and its neighbours were particularly concerned about poor services within [[East Anglia]] and the links to London. Some success was achieved east of Cambridge, at least partly through the efforts of the group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eastern: Ipswich/Norwich to Cambridge |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/route/eastern.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905073502/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/route/eastern.php |archive-date=5 September 2008 |access-date=4 July 2008 |publisher=East West Rail Consortium }}</ref>

In April 2006, the [[Office of the Deputy Prime Minister]] reported itself to be in favour of the principle of re-opening the link between Bedford and Oxford.<ref>{{Cite news |date=18 April 2006 |title=Green light for rail link |work=[[Milton Keynes Citizen]] |url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/green-light-for-rail-link-1-856202 |access-date=15 December 2017 |archive-date=16 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171216034446/https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/green-light-for-rail-link-1-856202 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In May 2006, the [[Department for Transport]] (DfT) announced specific plans for [[Bletchley railway station]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Coast Main Line: Progress Report May 2006 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611705.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060708064313/http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611705.pdf |archive-date=8 July 2006 |publisher=Department for Transport}}</ref> The document stated that "it is likely" that Bletchley area renewals and network simplification will take place "by 2010", "to include a high-level platform" for Bedford trains. "The network will be suitable for the later addition of any 'East-West' link to and from Oxford and for the operation of through links from either Oxford or Bedford to and from Milton Keynes".

In March 2007, a study (funded by the East West Rail Consortium) stated that
{{Blockquote|A very good operating and business case exists for the “Base Case” 2tph passenger service between Oxford and Milton Keynes, and an operating case also exists for the Aylesbury spur which would bring further economic and strategic advantages to the sub- region. Capital cost for the base case is between £100m - £135m. The base case and the Aylesbury options should be further considered in the next phase of work.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Guide to Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) Stage 2 Report Final Report |date=1 February 2007 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/reports/documents/GRIPStage2Report.pdf |access-date=27 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927084323/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/reports/documents/GRIPStage2Report.pdf |archive-date=27 September 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy |page=38 ¶ 5.1}}</ref>
<!--end of quotation -->}}

In April 2008, the DfT responded to an e-petition for support on East West Rail by reiterating that they would encourage private funding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=East-west-rail – epetition reply |url=http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15235.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080629095003/http://www.pm.gov.uk/output/Page15235.asp |archive-date=29 June 2008 |access-date=27 April 2008 }}</ref>

In the 2011 [[Autumn Statement]] by Chancellor [[George Osborne]], the East West railway between {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, {{stnlnk|Aylesbury Vale Parkway}} and {{stnlnk|Bedford}} was adopted by the Department for Transport, and £270{{nbsp}}million was committed to the scheme to fund its development.<ref name="Rail Mag 685" /> This was confirmed in July 2012 when the Secretary of State for Transport, [[Justine Greening]], announced that the Western section of East West Rail (EWR) would be part of the government's strategy for rail transport.<ref name="greening">{{Cite web |date=12 October 2012 |title=Railway will create 12,000 jobs &#124; Meridian – ITV News |url=http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2012-10-12/railway-will-create-12-000-jobs/ |access-date=13 October 2012 |publisher=Itv.com}}</ref>
<!--
For any updates after 2011, please use the 'Developments and announcements' section below.
-->

==Western section==
{{Infobox rail line
| name                            = East West Rail Western Section
| website                         = 
| color                           = 0000CD
| logo                            = 
| logo_width                      = 
| image                           = Winslow railway station (2023).jpg
| image_width                     = 290px
| caption                         = Winslow Station under construction in 2023
| type                            = [[Heavy rail]], [[Main line railway]]
| system                          = [[National Rail]]
| status                          = Under construction
| locale                          = {{ubl|[[Oxfordshire]]|[[Buckinghamshire]]}}
| start                           = {{rws|Oxford}}
| end                             = {{rws|Bletchley}}/{{rws|Milton Keynes Central}}
| stations                        = {{ubl|4 (existing)|2 (under construction)}}
| planopen                        = 2025<ref name="EWRNewsLetter2022" /><ref name="BBC 080324" />
| owner                           = [[Network Rail]]
| operator                        = [[Chiltern Railways]]
| stock                           = <!-- wait and see -->
| gauge                           = {{track gauge|uksg|allk=on}}
|speed                            = {{convert|100|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} maximum (Oxford-Bletchley)
| map                             = 
| map_state                       = uncollapsed
}}
[[File:East West Rail Consortium Western map.jpg|thumb|right|Western section of route connecting Bedford, Oxford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes]]
The western section links Oxford and Bedford via Bletchley, with connections to the [[West Coast Main Line]] and the [[Midland Main Line]]. This section is to reuse the trackbed of the [[Varsity Line]] (closed 1967), re-engineered for {{cvt|100|mph|kph|-1}} running. The first phase, Oxford{{ndash}}Bicester was reopened (as the [[Oxford–Bicester line]]) in 2016;  engineering of the  Bicester{{ndash}}Bletchley phase was completed in late 2024 and is due to reopen in the second half of 2025; work to rebuild the Bletchley{{ndash}}Bedford phase ("the [[Marston Vale line]]") is planned for the 2025{{ndash}}2030 period.<ref name="New EWRCo" /> From Oxford, the existing [[Cherwell Valley line]] provides a link to the [[Great Western Main Line]] (at {{rws|Didcot Parkway}}). Passenger services to {{rws|Milton Keynes Central}} (via the WCML) and {{rws|Aylesbury}} (via the existing freight line from [[Claydon Junction]]) were also planned.<ref name="ewr-faq">{{Cite web |title=FAQ |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151121121238/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions/ |archive-date=21 November 2015 |access-date=1 December 2015 |website=East West Rail}}</ref>

The first part of this work, doubling the Oxford–Bicester line and connecting it to the Chiltern Main Line, was largely completed in 2015 (and fully operational from December 2016); the remaining work from Bicester to Bedford was greatly delayed,<ref name="RTM260816" /><ref name="RTM0416">{{Cite magazine |date=3 March 2015 |title=East West Rail delivery could be delayed by seven years |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Inbox/east-west-rail-delivery-could-be-delayed-by-seven-years/125234 |access-date=14 November 2016}}</ref> but was scheduled for completion by 2030.<ref name="BBC News-060324">{{Cite news |date=6 March 2024 |title=Next stretch of East West Rail line approved in Budget |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68491452 |access-date=12 May 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name="New EWRCo" />

On 3 February 2020,<ref name="LG">{{Cite web |date=3 February 2020 |title=Transport Acts |url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/3484687 |access-date=8 August 2022 |publisher=[[London Gazette]]}}</ref> the DfT made the [[Transport and Works Act Order]] for the Bicester{{ndash}}Bletchley and Aylesbury{{ndash}}Claydon sections.<ref name="TWAO-MD">{{Cite web |date=29 January 2020 |title=Secretary of State's decision |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/862584/Network-Rail-East-West-Rail-Bicester-Bedford-order-decision.pdf |access-date=21 February 2020 |publisher=[[Department for Transport]] |publication-date=5 February 2020}}</ref> The [[Planning Inspectorate]]'s report had indicated that the scheme was fully funded, as confirmed by a DfT letter dated 9 February 2018, with a budget for this phase of £1,084,726,000, consisting of £150.095{{nbsp}}million in [[Network Rail Control Period#Control Period 5 (CP5): 2014–2019|Control Period 5 (2014–2019)]] ''(sic)'' and £934.631{{nbsp}}million in [[Network Rail Control Period#Control Period 6 (CP5): 2019–2024|Control Period 6 (2019–2024)]] but that, if the Order was not made in 2019, delays of 6 to 12 months could be expected with an impact on its integration with [[High Speed 2|HS2]] and a resulting significant increase in costs which had not been allowed for in that funding.{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=57}}

===Planning===
In February 2008, the consortium published a business case for re-opening the western section of the route funded by Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP), [[South East England Regional Assembly]], [[South East England Development Agency]] and the consortium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=East West Rail, Western Section: GRIP Stage 3 Report |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/reports/documents/GRIP3FinalReport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723115959/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/reports/documents/GRIP3FinalReport.pdf |archive-date=23 July 2008 |access-date=5 May 2009 }}</ref>

In March 2008, a £2{{nbsp}}million engineering survey of the existing and removed tracks was launched,<ref name="Oxford">{{Cite news |last=Little |first=Reg |date=7 March 2008 |title=MK Rail Link Plan on Track |work=[[The Oxford Times]] |publisher=[[Newsquest]] |url=http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/news/headlines/display.var.2099658.0.mk_rail_link_plan_on_track.php |access-date=27 April 2008}}</ref> and those undertaking the engineering survey stated that a {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}} link between Oxford and Bletchley could be achieved for around £190{{nbsp}}million. If construction had started in 2009 as they then hoped, the upgraded / re-opened line could have been in service by 2012.<ref name=Oxford/>

In November 2008, the Milton Keynes Partnership, Chiltern Railways and the consortium formally agreed to take their proposals forward together. Chiltern Railways would take the lead on the upgrading of the Oxford-Bicester section with its [[Chiltern Railways#Project Evergreen 3|Project Evergreen 3]] and the Milton Keynes Partnership would lead for the rest of the line to Bletchley.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Agreement with Chiltern Railways puts East West Rail scheme on track |date=10 November 2008 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/news/documents/PRESSRELEASE-EWR101108.pdf |access-date=9 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091222051713/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/news/documents/PRESSRELEASE-EWR101108.pdf |archive-date=22 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In December 2008, the commissioning of a further report, to take the project forward to {{abbr|GRIP|Governance for Railway Investment Projects}} Stage 4 (single option selection), was announced. This was to encompass work to analyse the additional requirements (as outlined above), not previously considered in detail, to {{abbr|GRIP|Governance for Railway Investment Projects}} Stage 3 equivalent, as well as revisiting the future requirements for the existing Bletchley-Bedford line.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Work starts to complete design for East West Rail |date=18 December 2008 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/news/documents/PRESSRELEASE-EWR181208.pdf |access-date=9 May 2008}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

According to section 3 of the October 2008 progress report,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Progress Report October 2008 |date=30 October 2008 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/_inc/documents/EWRCInformationBulletin_Oct2008w.pdf |access-date=9 May 2008}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> during 2008 a number of proposals from other parties emerged which might have a significant impact on the project:
*an aspiration to use the route as part of a strategic freight route
*an aspiration to provide longer-distance north-south passenger services avoiding Birmingham, which could use the western section as part of its route
*a proposal by Chiltern Railways to run Oxford-Bicester-London passenger services via a [then] mooted new south-to-east chord to the existing Chiltern line. (This chord has been built and is now in use).

Section 3 also states that there is some uncertainty over various parties' requirements for the existing Bletchley-Bedford railway.

Infrastructural assessment investigations would be taken forward in parallel with this work funded by £2{{nbsp}}million of contribution, half directly by the [[Department for Communities and Local Government]] and the other half in varying proportions from various local authorities' Growth Area Funding allocation. Work to clear vegetation from the redundant section of line for the infrastructure assessment started in January 2009.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Clearing the way for East West Rail design |date=16 January 2009 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/news/documents/PRESSRELEASE-EWR160109.pdf |access-date=9 May 2008}}{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In January 2021, East West Railway Company revised the phasing of the project, with delivery to be in three ‘connection stages’: Oxford – Milton Keynes; Oxford – Bedford; Oxford – Cambridge, and plans for the Aylesbury branch to be reviewed.<ref name="3phase">{{Cite news |date=25 January 2021 |title=Aylesbury plans reviewed as East West Rail project phasing revised |work=Railway Gazette |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/aylesbury-plans-reviewed-as-east-west-rail-project-phasing-revised/58360.article}}</ref> In May 2023, the EWR Company announced that the Aylesbury branch was not being funded.<ref name=BH310523>{{cite news |title=Aylesbury spur excluded from Government's latest East West Rail route outline |url=https://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/transport/aylesbury-spur-excluded-from-governments-latest-east-west-rail-route-outline-4164217 |work=Bucks Herald |first=James |last=Lowson |date=31 May 2023}}</ref>

===Design===
The February 2008 report identified two options defined from different perspectives, the "Regional Rail" option (the best commercial case) and the "Local Rail" option (as identified by the requirements mainly of local authorities and business interests). As part of [[Milton Keynes Central railway station#2006–08 developments|existing upgrades]], a new bay platform has been provided at Milton Keynes Central, which will be able to receive the local services. The infrastructure between Oxford and Bletchley required by both options is essentially the same. The spur from Calvert to [[Aylesbury railway station|Aylesbury]] is only included in the Local option, though about 20% of southern part of the route has already been reinstated under the Aylesbury Vale Parkway project. The line from north of Wolvercote Tunnel (just north of Oxford) through Bicester to Bletchley would be enabled for {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}} double-track running. The Oxford–Wolvercote Tunnel section, and the Aylesbury–Calvert line if also provided, would be {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}} single-track working. A new high-level platform would be provided at Bletchley, with new stations (under the Local option only) at [[Winslow railway station#New station|Winslow]] and [[Newton Longville]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=GRIP 4 Outline Business Case, Final Report – Executive Summary July 2010 |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/shared/documents/east-west-rail-grip4-business-case-executive-summary-jul-2010.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225015555/http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/sites/default/files/images/shared/documents/east-west-rail-grip4-business-case-executive-summary-jul-2010.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2014 |website=East West Rail}}</ref>{{efn|The new stations at Bletchley and Winslow are funded and scheduled but not that at Newton Longville.}}

The [[Planning Inspectorate]]'s report to the Minister for Transport,{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019}} in support of the (presumed) final [[Transport and Works Act Order]] (January 2020), firmed up on these principles. The platforms at Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Bletchley High Level and Winslow were to be specified as suitable for trains no longer than four cars.{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=27}} The section between Oxford and Bletchley is specified as double-track, {{convert|100|mph|abbr=on}} max.; Aylesbury{{ndash}}[[Claydon LNE Junction]] was to be single-track (with space but no underpinnings for a second track),{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=224}} up to {{convert|90|mph|abbr=on}} but Bletchley{{ndash}}Bedford was to remain at {{convert|60|mph|abbr=on}} maximum.{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=19}} The line was not initially to be electrified but constructed so as to facilitate electrification at a later date.{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=27}} The proposed Newton Longville station does not appear. There are no funded plans for north-to-east chords at Bicester (to enable a direct {{rws|Banbury}}{{ndash}}Bletchley service) or at Bletchley (to enable a direct Milton Keynes Central{{ndash}}Bedford service).

===Service pattern===
{{as of|August 2024}}, the service patterns for the Oxford{{ndash}}Bedford and Oxford{{ndash}}Milton Keynes Central semi-fast services has yet to be published. Pending any announcement to the contrary, it is assumed that the Oxford{{ndash}}Bicester and Bletchley{{ndash}}Bedford 'all stations' services will continue until further notice.

===Approval===
In the 2011 [[Autumn Statement]] by Chancellor [[George Osborne]], the East West railway between {{stnlnk|Oxford}}, {{stnlnk|Aylesbury Vale Parkway}} and {{stnlnk|Bedford}} was approved and funded, with £270{{nbsp}}million committed to the scheme.<ref name="Rail Mag 685" /> A new station was to open at [[Winslow railway station|Winslow]] and a high-level station built at {{stnlnk|Bletchley}}. The {{stnlnk|Bicester Village}} to Bletchley and the {{stnlnk|Aylesbury}} to [[Claydon Junction]] sections were to be upgraded or built to a {{convert|90|-|100|mph|abbr=on}} line speed.<ref name="Rail Mag 685" /> At that stage it was due for completion in 2019.<ref name="Rail Mag 685">Rail Magazine, Issue 685, 14 – 28 December 2011, Pages 10–11</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://eastwestrail.org.uk/east-west-rail-could-be-running-by-2017/ |title=East West Rail could be running by 2017  |date=30 November 2011 |access-date= 14 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724213510/http://eastwestrail.org.uk/east-west-rail-could-be-running-by-2017/ }}</ref>

On 16 July 2012, the East-West Rail Consortium made the following announcement:
{{blockquote|"The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP, today announced that the Western section of East West Rail (EWR) will be part of the government's strategy for rail transport, confirming not only funding for the project but also for electrification of the Oxford to Bedford part of the route. EWR will provide an electric link between the electrified Great Western, West Coast and Midland main lines. This further investment in the project upgrades it to form a key part of the new ‘[[Electric Spine]]’ passenger and freight route between the South Coast, the East Midlands and Yorkshire".<ref name="goahead">{{Cite web |date=16 July 2012 |title=East West Rail gets final go ahead and electrification |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/east-west-rail-gets-final-go-ahead-and-electrification/ |access-date=13 October 2012 |publisher=East West Rail}}</ref>
}}
===Developments and announcements for western section=== <!-- Western and all only. Announcements re Central and Eastern go in their equivalent sections -->
[[File:Mothballed Varsity Line eastbound from Salden Wood, 29th March 2014.JPG|thumb|right|upright|Vegetation clearance works, {{convert|3|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} west of Bletchley, March 2014.]]

On 10 January 2013, [[Network Rail]] announced its intention to construct the western section between Bedford and Oxford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, as part of their five-year strategic business plan (2014–2019). The target date for train services to be operational on this section was December 2017. Electrification of the line between Oxford and Bedford was also included in the budget and target completion date was March 2017.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Network Rail Announce Plans to Construct Western Section of East West Rail Link |date=10 January 2013 |publisher=East West Rail |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/network-rail-announce-plans-to-construct-western-section-of-east-west-rail/ |access-date=17 February 2013}}</ref> <!-- please don't change this to 2019, as that came in a later announcement-->

In November 2013, the East West Rail Consortium pledged an additional £45{{nbsp}}million to the project. The chair of the East West Rail joint delivery board, Councillor Janet Blake presented a letter to Transport Minister [[Philip Hammond]], confirming the financial commitment from the Board.<ref name="CIHTnews">{{Cite web |title=Varsity rail reopening makes tracks |url=http://www.ciht.org.uk/en/media-centre/news.cfm/Varsity-Line-to-reopen |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131120144102/http://www.ciht.org.uk/en/media-centre/news.cfm/Varsity-Line-to-reopen |archive-date=20 November 2013 |access-date=20 November 2013 }}</ref>

From 1 February 2014, Network Rail began clearing vegetation that had grown over the abandoned track.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 February 2014 |title=Work starts on clearing line for East West Rail |work=Buckingham and Winslow Advertiser |publisher=[[Johnston Press]] |url=http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/local/work-starts-on-clearing-line-for-east-west-rail-1-5847047 |access-date=6 April 2014 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407105229/http://www.buckinghamtoday.co.uk/news/local/work-starts-on-clearing-line-for-east-west-rail-1-5847047 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In March 2014, [[Carillion]] and [[Buckingham Group]] announced that they were to undertake construction of the new link, commencing with the Oxford to Bicester stretch, with a contract value of £87{{nbsp}}million,<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 March 2014 |title=Carillion Buckingham JV wins £87m Chiltern rail link |url=http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/03/10/carillion-buckingham-jv-wins-87m-chiltern-rail-link/ |access-date=6 April 2014 |website=Construction Enquirer}}</ref> but later that month Network Rail stated that there would be a delay in the completion of the line by two years until 2019.<ref name="Bucks Herald">{{Cite press release |title=Disappointment as East West Rail delayed by two years |date=31 March 2014 |publisher=[[Johnston Press]] |url=http://www.bucksherald.co.uk/news/business/business-news/disappointment-as-east-west-rail-delayed-by-two-years-1-5970200 |access-date=31 March 2014 |newspaper=[[Bucks Herald]]}}</ref>

Early in April 2014, Network Rail acknowledged that the busy level crossing in Milton Keynes between [[Woburn Sands]] and [[Wavendon]] is presenting "a headache".<ref name="MKWEB5-4-14">{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411054322/http://www.mkweb.co.uk/News/Network-Rail-admit-level-crossing-near-Milton-Keynes-is-causing-a-headache-20140405160000.htm |url=http://www.mkweb.co.uk/News/Network-Rail-admit-level-crossing-near-Milton-Keynes-is-causing-a-headache-20140405160000.htm |title=Network Rail admit level crossing near Milton Keynes is causing a headache. |work=[[MKWeb]] |date=5 April 2014 |archive-date=11 April 2014}}</ref> The report goes on to say that the crossing near [[Bow Brickhill]] (Brickhill Street in Milton Keynes to the [[A5 road (Great Britain)|A5]]) will be replaced with a bridge.<ref name="MKWEB5-4-14" />

In May 2014, Network Rail announced that the line will be opened to {{convert|125|mph|abbr=on|-1}} running, the current top speed for InterCity services. It is proposed that [[CrossCountry]] services, along with Chiltern Railways and London Northwestern Railway services will use the route.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hellier |first=Alex |title=East West Rail develops into 125mph inter-regional route |date=14–27 May 2014 |publisher=RAIL |location=Peterborough |page=13}}</ref>

In July 2015, Sir [[Peter Hendy]] was appointed chairman of Network Rail "and asked by the Secretary of State to conduct a thorough review of the enhancement programme in England and Wales to see what can be delivered in an affordable and timely way within the [[Network Rail Control Periods|funding period to 2019]]".{{sfnp|Hendy|2015|page=2}} The report states "During [[Network Rail Control Periods|CP5]] development work will continue into the full re-opening of the route between Bicester and Bletchley [...] and delivery will be started as soon as possible".{{sfnp|Hendy|2015|p=15}} However, in the table that lists in detail the revised work programme, the route is shown as one of the "Projects with significant delivery in CP5 and completion in CP6".{{sfnp|Hendy|2015|p=37}} (CP5 is 2014–2019; CP6 is 2019–2024.{{sfnp|Hendy|2015|p=5}})

As part of the Budget of March 2016, the Chancellor, [[George Osborne]], wrote to the [[National Infrastructure Commission]] (NIC) to ask them to develop proposals for unlocking growth, housing and jobs in the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor. The letter made reference to the East West Rail Link, raising the possibility of further development of the line in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-infrastructure-commission-chancellors-letter-to-lord-adonis-and-terms-of-reference |title=National Infrastructure Commission: Chancellor's letter to Lord Adonis and terms of reference |website=gov.uk |date=March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.varsity.co.uk/news/10050 |title=Full steam ahead for Oxbridge rail line |work=[[Varsity (Cambridge)]] |date= March 2016}}</ref>

In May 2016, the Department for Transport revealed that it 'is considering a new franchise to operate services on the east-west rail link' and that 'development of the proposed franchise will start in 2018 (including a competition period)'.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/2016/05/18/government-considers-new-east-west-rail-franchise#sthash.L1ARc50J.dpuf |title=Government considers new East West Rail franchise |work=Rail Magazine |date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

By August 2016, it became clear that Network Rail considers the project to be 'no longer the third most important project in the country' (after HS2 and [[Crossrail]]) and that delivery of the core of the Western Section (Oxford to Bedford via Bletchley) might slip beyond 2024,<ref name="RTM260816">{{Cite magazine |date=26 August 2016 |title=East West Rail 'no longer third most important project in country' |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/east-west-rail-no-longer-third-most-important-project-in-country-}}</ref> with the connection to Aylesbury due even later.<ref name=RTM0416/> Councillor Rodney Rose, chair of the East West Rail Consortium suggested that the main causes of the delay include delays arising from [[Proposed railway electrification in Great Britain|rail electrification difficulties]] and fiscal uncertainty arising from the [[Brexit|UK's decision to leave the European Union]].<ref name=RTM260816/> In October 2016, the Minister instructed Network Rail to delete electrification from the design, but to maintain clearances to permit a retrofit at an unspecified future date.{{sfnp|Whitehead|2019|page=27}}

In November 2016, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced £110{{nbsp}}million funding to ensure completion of the Bicester{{ndash}}Bedford segment by 2025.<ref name="ITV23112016">{{cite news |url= http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2016-11-23/autumn-statement-chancellor-invests-in-new-transport-links-for-the-region/ |title= Autumn statement: Chancellor invests in new transport links for the region |work=[[ITV Anglia]] |date=23 November 2016}}</ref>

In December 2016, the Transport Secretary announced his decision to privatise the line.<ref name="privatise">{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/dec/06/new-fully-privatised-rail-line-chris-grayling-plans-oxford-cambridge |title=Chris Grayling unveils plans for fully privatised rail line |newspaper=The Guardian |location= London |date=6 December 2016}}</ref> A new entity will be responsible for track and infrastructure, as well as operating train services, which, he believes, will deliver an Oxford–Cambridge service at an earlier date than is realistic for an overcommitted Network Rail.<ref name=privatise/>

In July 2017, Network Rail began a public consultation on the details of its proposals for the Bicester{{ndash}}Bedford section.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=11 July 2017 |title=Residents invited to give views on East West Rail link plans |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/residents-invited-to-give-views-on-east-west-rail-link-plans |access-date=16 July 2017 |archive-date=23 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323092438/http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/rail-news/residents-invited-to-give-views-on-east-west-rail-link-plans |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{anchor|East West Rail Alliance}}In August 2017, the '''East West Rail Alliance''',<ref name="EWRA-News-0420" /> the consortium {{snd}} [[VolkerRail]], [[Atkins (company)|Atkins]], [[Laing O'Rourke]] and Network Rail {{snd}} developing the Western section, noted that the decision by the Department for Transport to delete electrification from the specification was causing further delay to the programme, because work already done on the [[Transport and Works Act 1992|TWA]] applications would need to be reworked.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=25 August 2017 |title=Electrification 'very unlikely' to come back into EWR scheme |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/electrification-very-unlikely-to-come-back-into-ewr-scheme}}</ref>

In November 2017, in its report on the [[Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor]], the NIC called for the line between Bicester and Bedford to be reopened by 2023 and Bedford/Cambridge by 2030, and for the development and construction of a link between the M1 motorway and Oxford by 2030, as part of the proposed [[Oxford–Cambridge Expressway]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/55272/national-infrastructure-commission-calls-for-major-investment-in-transport-links-between-oxford-and-cambridge/ |title=National Infrastructure Commission calls for major investment in transport links between Oxford and Cambridge |work=Transport Xtra |first=Mark |last=Moran |date=17 November 2017}}</ref> In his budget of November 2017 the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, allocated further funding to open the western section by 2024 via a new company, the East West Railway Company, which was established in December 2017.<ref name="RTM141217">{{Cite magazine |date=22 November 2017 |title=Chancellor accepts East West Rail targets and strengthens plans with extra cash |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/chancellor-accepts-east-west-rail-targets-and-strengthens-plans-with-extra-cash |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine}}</ref>

In December 2017, the Transport Secretary announced the establishment of a new East West Railway Company which will oversee the establishment of both the Western & Central Sections of East West Rail Link. The budget in November 2017 announced the completion of the central section by 2030 and a preferred route to be announced in early 2019 following a number of public consultations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section-overview/ |title=Central Section Overview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730203149/https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/central-section-overview/ |archive-date=30 July 2018 |publisher=East West Railway Co Ltd}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Grayling |first=Chris |date=14 December 2017 |title='It shouldn't take two-and-a-half hours to get from Cambridge to Oxford' |newspaper=[[Cambridge News]] |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/it-shouldnt-take-two-half-14035138}} ([[OpEd]])</ref><ref name="Grayling">{{Cite web |date=22 November 2017 |title=Transport Secretary officially launches East West Railway Company at Bletchley Park |url=http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/2017/12/14/transport-secretary-officially-launches-east-west-railway-company-bletchley-park/ |publisher=East West Rail}}</ref>

In April 2018, the chairman of the East West Railway Company, Rob Brighouse, suggested a new line between Milton Keynes and Bedford might avoid the problems with the current Marston Vale Line. These problems are the all-stations hourly stopping service operated by [[London Northwestern Railway]] and numerous level crossing on the route: these could limit capacity for through regional trains. He acknowledged that this proposal could be expensive but suggested the private sector could help fund it. He also suggested then that the Western Section could be completed by 2022, ahead of the planned 2024 opening date.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Modern Railways |date=22 March 2018 |title=MK-Bedford New Line Mooted |page=9 |url=https://www.modernrailways.com/article/mk-bedford-new-line-mooted }}</ref>

On 27 July 2018, Network Rail submitted a [[Transport and Works Act 1992|Transport and Works Act Order]] (TWAO) application to the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] for the Bicester-Bletchley segment.<ref name="TWAO">{{Cite web |title=East West Rail – Western Section – Network Rail |url=https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our-railway-upgrade-plan/key-projects/east-west-rail/western-section/ |access-date=20 January 2020 |website=networkrail.co.uk}}</ref> The Public Enquiry ended on 1 May 2019.<ref name=TWAO />

A DfT/EWR report that considers the strategic and economic cases for the Western Section Phase 2 project was published on 7 December 2018.<ref name="dftewr1218">{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-case-for-east-west-rail-western-section-phase-2 |title=Research and analysis: The case for East West Rail, Western Section Phase 2: Considers the strategic and economic cases for the Western Section Phase 2 project of East West Rail |publisher=Department for Transport and East West Railway Company Limited |date=7 December 2018}}</ref>

In July 2019, the EWR Company announced that it will be issuing Invitations to Tender for rolling stock 'later [[2019 in rail transport|this]] year',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boroughs |first=David |date=11 July 2019 |title=East West Railway Company to launch rolling stock procurement |work=[[International Railway Journal]] |url=https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/east-west-railway-company-to-launch-rolling-stock-procurement/ |access-date=13 July 2019}}</ref> possibly as early as August.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stephen |first=Paul |date=12 July 2019 |title=Tender set to be issued for East West Rail rolling stock |work=[[Rail (magazine)|Rail]] |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/network/tender-set-to-be-issued-for-east-west-rail-rolling-stock |access-date=13 July 2019}}</ref>

In January 2020, the chairman of the consortium said that, following the public inquiry into the western section that had been held in 2019, he hoped there would be a positive announcement on the TWAO in the 'very near future', with major construction work starting later in 2020.<ref name=EW20200130 /> In February 2020, Transport Minister [[Grant Shapps]] approved the TWAO.<ref name="LG"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 February 2020 |title=Work to build new railway in Bucks given go ahead |language=en |work=mix96.co.uk |url=https://www.mix96.co.uk/news/local/3037725/work-to-build-new-railway-in-bucks-given-go-ahead/ |access-date=4 February 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308092435/https://www.mix96.co.uk/news/local/3037725/work-to-build-new-railway-in-bucks-given-go-ahead/ |archive-date=8 March 2020}}</ref>

In March 2020, the company invited tenders for supply of twelve to fourteen three-car (self-powered, driver-controlled) trains on a four-year lease.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=East West Railway Company goes shopping for trains |date=9 March 2020 |publisher=East West Rail Ltd. |url=https://eastwestrail.co.uk/latest-news/east-west-rail-goes-shopping-for-trains |quote=East West Railway Company is seeking bids for leasing a fleet of 12 or 14 three-car self-powered units with modifications including European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 and Driver Controlled Operation (“DCO”) capability, supported by a full maintenance package (under a ‘wet’ lease). The lease duration is four years, with an option to extend for two years. |access-date=30 April 2020}}</ref>

In April 2020, the EWR Alliance published its schedule of works, which projects that the infrastructure will be fully tested and ready to use "in 2024".<ref name="EWRA-News-0420">{{Cite web |date=April 2020 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter: Construction Work Overview |url=https://sway.office.com/TIOexsAKqMk5IGZ6 |access-date=22 August 2020 |publisher=East West Rail Alliance}}</ref>

In April 2023, the Department for Transport announced its intent to negotiate an amendment to its current agreement with [[Chiltern Railways]], to add operation of the Oxford{{snd}}Milton Keynes Central service, with effect from December 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=East West Rail (Connection Stage 1): prior information notice |date=6 April 2023 |publisher=UK Government |access-date=6 April 2023 | url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-west-rail-connection-stage-1-prior-information-notice}}</ref>

====March 2021 consultation====
In March 2021, the company opened "non-statutory" consultation on its plans for the Western (and Central) segments.{{sfnp|Consultation Document|2021}} A more detailed technical report{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021}} supports the consultation document.{{sfnp|Consultation Document|2021|loc=printed p.&nbsp;9, pdf p.&nbsp;5}} In an associated document, it announced that its opening plans for East West Rail have changed, notably deferring indefinitely a connection to Aylesbury.<ref name="Stages">{{Cite web |date=2021 |title=Connect Stages |url=https://eastwestrail.co.uk/the-project/connection-stages |publisher=East West Rail Ltd. }}{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The new plans divide the schedule into Connect Stages. "Connect Stage 1" should open in 2025 and see two trains per hour from Oxford to Milton Keynes Central. "Connect Stage 2" is planned to run between Oxford and Bedford (Mainline) after upgrading the Marston Vale line. Although work had been planned as part of the Western Section this could not provide the two trains per hour to Bedford nor accommodate an extension to {{rws|Cambridge}}.<ref name="Stages" />

"Connect Stage 1" proposes changes to Oxford, Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village railway stations. For Oxford, proposals are for two additional platforms (platform 5 and Platform 0), two new [[siding (rail)|siding]]s south of Platform 1 and 2, additional crossovers and two additional tracks to accommodate the 6 trains per hour planned for EWR.{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=77{{ndash}}99}} Oxford Parkway and Bicester Village could get expansions to the car parks at both stations. The report moots the closure of the London Road level crossing in Bicester, with several options put forward for replacements.{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=77{{ndash}}99}}

[[File:Marston Vale line.png|thumb|The existing Marston Vale line stations which may be relocated or consolidated.]]
"Connect Stage 2" might involve:{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=100{{ndash}}228}}
* a new platform at Bletchley opposite platform 6 (in addition to the high-level platforms already scheduled)
* reinstatement of the second track at {{rws|Fenny Stratford}}
* possible closure of the original Bow Brickhill and Woburn Sands stations and their merger onto a new site just west of Woburn Sands, in a possible Milton Keynes south-east expansion area.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/assets/attach/68646/SEMK-SUE-Development-Framework-Consultation-draft-Jan-2021-Low-Res.pdf |title=South East Milton Keynes - Strategic Urban Extension. Development Framework. Supplementary Planning Document (Draft) |date=January 2021 |publisher=Milton Keynes Council |access-date=7 April 2021 |archive-date=1 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901034332/https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/assets/attach/68646/SEMK-SUE-Development-Framework-Consultation-draft-Jan-2021-Low-Res.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* relocation of Ridgmont station to accommodate passing loops and a merger with a (potentially closed) {{rws|Aspley Guise}}
* relocation of {{rws|Bedford St Johns}} either close to the hospital or south west of the existing site, both of which options require realignment of the existing track, 
* remodelling Bedford (mainline) railway station (discussed [[#2021 Route Alignment consultation|below]]).
* closure of level crossings across the route

Other proposals put forward for Connect Stage 2 regarding services and stations are to retain the existing 'all stations' hourly service between Bletchley and Bedford and to provide two trains per hour between {{rws|Cambridge}} and {{rws|Bletchley}} as well as two trains per hour between {{rws|Oxford}} and Cambridge both stopping at Woburn Sands and Ridgmont. Another option is to replace the stations with five newly relocated stations (at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, {{rws|Stewartby}}, {{rws|Lidlington}} and Bedford St Johns.{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=100{{ndash}}228}}

In May 2023, the EWR Company announced that the Aylesbury branch was not being funded.<ref name=BH310523 />
<!--

          CAUTION: announcements etc only about the western section here. Anything about Central or East 
          go in their own sections, even if it means repetition.

-->

(The consultation also describes the route options between Bedford and Cambridge, as discussed [[#2021 Route Alignment consultation|below]].)

===Engineering and construction works===
From April 2020, work began to refurbish the [[Bletchley Flyover]], with sections beside and over the WCML being removed in April and May.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Kevin |last=Nicholls |date=4 May 2020 |title=Biggest cranes in Europe spotted in Milton Keynes ready for 295-tonne upgrade [as] 60-year-old Bletchley Flyover gets a makeover ahead of Milton Keynes's new East-West rail link |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/transport/biggest-cranes-europe-spotted-milton-keynes-ready-295-tonne-upgrade-2841784 |access-date=5 May 2020}}</ref><ref name="EWRA0720">{{Cite web |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner |date=July 2020 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter - July 2020 |url=https://sway.office.com/OJUHZZkvJJSSA8oS |access-date=7 August 2020 |publisher=East West Rail Alliance}}</ref> The arches crossing Buckingham Road (on the east side of WCML) started being removed on 5 July 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Sally |last=Murrer |date=2 July 2020 |title=Three of UK's largest cranes heave out sections of concrete railway flyover in Milton Keynes |work=Milton Keynes Citizen |url=https://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/people/three-uks-largest-cranes-heave-out-sections-concrete-railway-flyover-milton-keynes-2902034 |access-date=26 July 2020}}</ref> During summer 2021, a new structure, in the form of a box tunnel around the WCML, was completed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 2021 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter{{snd}} Autumn 2021 |url=https://sway.office.com/vKlm9Bv9obosHFEA?ref=Link |publisher=East West Rail Alliance |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner}} ("Project Updates")</ref> By early February 2022, {{convert|1.5|km|abbr=on}} of track had been installed over the new flyover, enabling engineering trains to reach the eastern end of the construction site.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2022 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter{{snd}} Winter 21/22 |url=https://sway.office.com/QfFDulmbpxwUx9l9?ref=Link |publisher=East West Rail Alliance |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner}} (Project Progress)</ref>

At Bicester, the first section of new track for the EWR2 project was successfully installed in April 2021. "This is a key milestone for the project because it is not only the first section of track, but it will also enable access for the engineering trains that will carry out the track construction across the whole project".<ref name=EWRA0421>{{Cite web |date=April 2021 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter{{snd}} Spring 2021 |url=https://sway.office.com/0VrjHWa1wjEMfXug |publisher=East West Rail Alliance |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner}}</ref> At Bletchley in late 2021, track was installed over the new flyover, enabling engineering trains to reach the eastern end of the construction site.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 2022 |title=EWR2 Project Newsletter{{snd}} Winter 21/22 |url=https://sway.office.com/QfFDulmbpxwUx9l9?ref=Link |publisher=East West Rail Alliance |editor-first1=Mark |editor-last1=Cuzner}} (Editorial)</ref>

In December 2023, East-West Rail Partnership announced that the track laying between [[Bicester Village railway station|Bicester Village]] and [[Bletchley railway station|Bletchley]] was 99% complete, including bridges, earthworks and an underpass at [[Calvert, Buckinghamshire|Calvert]].<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/hs2-completes-east-west-rail-works-at-calvert |title=East West works at Calvert |publisher= HS2 Ltd |date= December 2023}}</ref> The track was completed ceremonially on 7 March 2024.<ref name="BBC 080324">{{cite news |title= East West Rail lays final clips in Oxfordshire track |work=BBC News | date=8 March 2024 | access-date=8 March 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-68500700}}</ref>

{{As of|June 2024}}, services between Oxford and Milton Keynes are expected to begin in "late 2025".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eastwestrail.co.uk/your-area/winslow |title=Winslow | access-date=29 June 2024 |website=East West Rail Co. |at=What's next?}}</ref>

===Testing===

Test trains started travelling the full journey between Oxford and Milton Keynes on 21 October 2024. These have been run by [[Chiltern Railways]] using [[British Rail Class 168|Class 168]] trains.<ref>{{cite web |title=First train completes test run between Oxford and Milton Keynes for East West Rail |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/first-train-completes-test-run-between-oxford-and-milton-keynes-for-east-west-rail |website=Network Rail Media Centre |access-date=21 October 2024 |language=english}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Gudge |first1=Ethan |title=East West Rail: First train tests on multi-billion pound route |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1m9mlexnk8o |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2024}}</ref> [[Great Western Railway (train operating company)|GWR]] also tested a [[British Rail Class 800|Class 800]] train on the line. The reported reason was to test the viability of diverting trains to {{rws|Euston}} in the case of future engineering works at [[Old Oak Common railway station|Old Oak Common]].<ref>{{cite news |title=East West Rail: Chiltern and GWR run first test trains between Oxford and West Coast Main Line
 |url=https://www.railmagazine.com/news/2024/10/21/chiltern-and-gwr-run-first-test-trains-on-east-west-rail |first=Paul |last= Clifton |publisher =RAIL |date=22 October 2024 |access-date=26 October 2024}}</ref>

===Delivery===
<!-- This section is about actual completed works, not plans. -->

====Phase 1: Oxford–Bicester====
The section from Oxford through Bicester Village to the Chiltern Main Line was rebuilt as part of [[Chiltern Railways#Phase 2|Phase 2 of Chiltern Railways Project Evergreen]] and adopted as Phase{{nbsp}}1 of the East West Rail Link.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bicester to Oxford - East West Rail Phase 1 - East West Rail |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/bicester-to-oxford-east-west-rail-phase-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730203038/https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/bicester-to-oxford-east-west-rail-phase-1/ |archive-date=30 July 2018 |access-date=30 July 2018 |publisher=East West Rail Company}}</ref> Chiltern Railways began service over it, from {{rws|Oxford Parkway}} to {{rws|Marylebone}}, on 26 October 2015;<ref name="RTM-RIF">{{Cite magazine |date=1 August 2015 |title=Connecting Oxford Parkway to the Chiltern Main Line |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-Industry-Focus-/connecting-oxford-parkway-to-the-chiltern-main-line |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> and from Oxford station to Marylebone on 11 December 2016.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-38286727 |title=Oxford to London Marylebone railway line opens |work=[[BBC News]] |date= 11 December 2016}}</ref>

==Central section==
The [[Varsity Line]] route trackbed alignment between Bedford and Cambridge is no longer available for East West Rail because key sections of it have been reused for other purposes since the closure of this part of the line in 1968. These include the [[Ryle Telescope]] (part of the [[Mullard Radio Astronomy Observatory]]), [[Trumpington Meadows]], the [[Cambridgeshire Guided Busway]] and [[National Cycle Route 51]] as well as housing at Potton, Sandy, and Trumpington.

===Developments and announcements for central section===
In March 2016, Network Rail announced that the link would connect to the [[East Coast Main Line]] (ECML) via (or near) [[Sandy railway station|Sandy]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Preferred central corridor for East West Rail announced |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/preferred-central-route-for-east-west-rail-announced |magazine=Rail Technology Magazine}}</ref> In the 2016 Autumn Statement, the chancellor announced £10{{nbsp}}million of funding to continue to develop plans for the route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chancellor gives boost to East West Rail and Oxford- Cambridge Expressway in Autumn Statement {{!}} Richard Fuller MP |url=http://www.richardfuller.org.uk/2016/11/chancellor-gives-boost-to-east-west-rail-and-oxford-cambridge-expressway-in-autumn-statement/ |access-date=24 February 2017 |first=Richard |last=Fuller |archive-date=25 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225051549/http://www.richardfuller.org.uk/2016/11/chancellor-gives-boost-to-east-west-rail-and-oxford-cambridge-expressway-in-autumn-statement/ |url-status=dead }} (self published)</ref>

On 30 October 2018, the [[Chancellor of the Exchequer]] announced in his Autumn Budget that £20{{nbsp}}million was being made available for work to develop a "strategic outline business case" for the Bedford–Cambridge segment.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 2018 |title=Rail in the October 2018 UK budget |work=[[Railway Gazette]] |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/policy/single-view/view/rail-in-the-october-2018-uk-budget.html}}</ref>

In December 2018, in a paper published jointly with the Department for Transport, EWR Ltd. reported that it intended to begin consultations on the route of the central section "early in 2019".<ref name=dftewr1218/>

On 28 January 2019, East West Railway Company revealed five potential routes in the consultation which ran from 28 January until 11 March 2019.<ref name="consult-jan19">{{cite web |url=https://eastwestrail.co.uk/haveyoursay  |title=Bedford and Cambridge Route Option Consultation: Have Your Say |publisher=East West Rail Co. |date=28 January 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129122716/https://eastwestrail.co.uk/haveyoursay |archive-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
* Route A involves going from the Marston Vale line to a new Bedford South split-level station with the [[Midland Main Line]] then to a relocated {{rws|Sandy}} station, south of the existing station. The route then heads east to a new station at [[Bassingbourn cum Kneesworth|Bassingbourn]] before then joining the Great Northern route to Cambridge.
* Route B involves running from the Marston Vale line to a new Bedford South station before then running to a relocated Sandy (to the north [[Tempsford]] area or south of [[St. Neots]]). The route heads east to a new station in [[Cambourne]] before swinging south to join the existing line northbound to Cambridge.
* Route C involves running from the Marston Vale line to a new Bedford South station before continuing to a new junction station at Tempsford with the ECML and then continuing on the ECML to Sandy. The route then leaves the ECML and heads east to a new station at Bassingbourn before joining the existing line northbound to Cambridge.
* Route D involves running from the existing Bedford (Midland road) station heading north then turning east towards a new Tempsford station before joining the ECML and heading to Sandy. The route then heads east towards a new station at Bassingbourn then joining the existing line northbound to Cambridge.
* Route E involves running from the existing Bedford station heading north then running to Tempsford where a new station would be built then (bypassing Sandy) the route heads east to Cambourne where a new station would be built. The route then joins an existing line northbound to Cambridge

None of the route options connect to Cambridge via {{rws|Cambridge North}} as this option was ruled out in the evaluation stage.<ref name="tech-report">{{cite report |url=https://eastwestrail-production.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Central-Section-Consultation/db652106d4/EWR-Technical-Report.pdf |title=Central section consultation{{snd}} Technical report |publisher=East West Rail Co.}} See section 7</ref> However, its section 7.7 concedes that two of its routes could alternatively approach Cambridge from the north if new information is provided to EWR Co through the consultation that suggests that this would be better.

The consultation document proposes a target date of "mid 2020s" for the central section to be completed.<ref name=consult-jan19/>

In September 2019, the government declared the Central Section a [[nationally significant infrastructure project]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=O'Connor |first=Rob |date=16 September 2019 |title=East-West rail link declared as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project |work=Infrastructure Intelligence |url=http://www.infrastructure-intelligence.com/article/sep-2019/east-west-rail-link-declared-nationally-significant-infrastructure-project |access-date=16 September 2019}}</ref>

In September 2022, the government confirmed East West Rail and {{rws|Cambridge South}} as two of the "138 major infrastructure projects that the Government aims to fast-track," although "inclusion in the list [does] not guarantee funding, planning consent or approval at this stage".<ref>{{cite news |title=Fast-track 138-project growth plan{{snd}}full list |first=Aaron |last= Morby |date=23 September 2022 | work=Construction Enquirere |url=https://www.constructionenquirer.com/2022/09/23/fast-track-138-project-growth-plan-list/}}</ref>

====Route selected====
In January 2020, the company announced that Route E ([[Bedford Midland]] – "south of St Neots / Tempsford area" – Cambourne – Cambridge) had been selected as the preferred route.<ref name="EW20200130">{{Cite web |date=30 January 2020 |title='A landmark moment': Consortium delight as 'central section' route is announced |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/2020/01/30/a-landmark-moment-consortium-delight-as-central-section-route-is-announced/ |access-date=30 January 2020 |website=East West Rail}}</ref>
	
Go-ahead for [[Cambridge South railway station]] was announced in the budget of 11 March 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government announce funding for Cambridge South station |date=11 March 2020|url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/amp/government-announce-funding-for-cambridge-south-station-9102318/}}</ref> 
On 22 June 2020, Network Rail revealed that its preferred location for the station was at a site adjacent to [[Addenbrooke's Hospital]] and the [[Cambridgeshire Guided Busway]] crossing.<ref name="NR220620">{{Cite web |title=Cambridge South station's preferred location selected |url=https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/cambridge-south-stations-preferred-location-s |access-date=22 June 2020 |publisher=Network Rail}}</ref> The indicative route E corridor for the East West line shows a junction with the [[West Anglia Main Line]] (WAML) south of Cambridge but is (deliberately) vague about the precise location of this junction and thus its position relative to that of Cambridge South; local media reports anticipate that it will be such as to enable East West trains to stop here.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Paul |last=Brackley |date=25 February 2020 |title=East West Rail plans go on show at series of community event |work=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/east-west-rail-plans-go-on-show-at-series-of-community-events-9099966/ |access-date=13 March 2020}}</ref>

In late December 2020, EWR Ltd. announced that it would begin an informal consultation on the route details in "early 2021".<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 December 2020 |title=Consultation in early 2021 |url=https://eastwestrail.co.uk/latest-news/project-updates/consultation-in-early-2021 |access-date=15 February 2021 |publisher=East West Rail Ltd.}}</ref>

====Route option lobbying====
The northern route was promoted by a private interest group "CamBedRailRoad", which sought to connect EWR via a new line to Cambridge North.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Gemma |last=Gardner |date=24 August 2018 |title=New route for East West railway line put forward |work=Cambridge Independent |url=https://www.cambridgeindependent.co.uk/news/new-route-for-east-west-railway-line-put-forward-9050630/ |access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref> East West Rail Ltd rejected this option in favour of a broad 'route corridor' ("Option E") running south of Cambridge, probably but {{as of|October 2020|lc=on}} not definitely, via a new Cambridge South station on the [[Cambridge line]] and the WAML. 
 		 	
A group called "Cambridgeapproaches" was formed in June 2020 from a collection of parishes in the Option E area to review route alignments in the area and to consult residents on alternatives.<ref>{{Cite news |first=Benjamin |last=Hatton |date=18 September 2020 |title=Residents create 'alternative routes' for East West Rail line near Cambridge. East West Rail announced a 'preferred route' earlier this year but a campaign group is trying to come up with its own set of route options |work=Cambridge News |url=https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/residents-create-alternative-routes-east-18941514 |access-date=18 October 2020}}</ref>

====2021 Bedford{{ndash}}Cambridge route alignment consultation====

In March 2021, East West Railway Company opened an "informal consultation" on proposals for the Central section’s route alignment. The proposals put forward include:

* in Bedford:{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=228{{ndash}}299}}
** relocation of Bedford St Johns;
**either expansion of the mainline station with three new platforms or complete relocation of the station; 
**possibly widening the Midland Main Line corridor north of the station to give EWR its own dedicated tracks;
* narrowing the (EWR) route corridor options near Tempsford and Cambourne:{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=300{{ndash}}371}}
**there are two potential sites for the ECML crossing: one just north of the historic station and the second a mile or so closer to St Neots, which it calls "{{rws|St Neots South}}". Table 9.2 strongly prefers the latter option. Whether there will be a junction station is left for others to decide;
**two potential sites are proposed for Cambourne station: one across the A428 from the town and the second on the south side. The report favours the former.
*on the approach to Cambridge:{{sfnp|Technical Report|2021|pp=372{{ndash}}423}}
** the option to join the WAML directly is dismissed as infeasible for a variety of reasons; 
** instead, the EWR will merge first with the Cambridge Line (also known as the Shepreth Branch Line) via a grade-separated junction (Hauxton Junction) between [[Harston]] and [[Newton, South Cambridgeshire|Newton]] and then onward to the WAML;
** increasing the number of tracks on the WAML from Shepreth Junction to Cambridge (central) station from two to four, with associated changes to that junction;
** two further platforms to be added at Cambridge, using space currently allocated to sidings.

====2021 Bletchley–Bedford stations review====
In the same consultation, the company put forward proposals for the stations between Bletchley and Bedford (currently known as the [[Marston Vale Line]]). The proposals put forward include:<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Modern Railways |url=https://www.modernrailways.com/article/ewr-consults-route-options |title=EWR consults on route options |date=14 April 2021 |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> 
*{{rws|Woburn Sands}} could be relocated to the western outskirts of the town, between the existing Woburn Sands and {{rws|Bow Brickhill}} stations, which would close;  
*{{rws|Ridgmont}} could be relocated to the west;
*{{rws|Lidlington}} could be relocated between the existing Lidlington and {{rws|Millbrook|Bedfordshire}} stations which would close;
*{{rws|Stewartby}} could be relocated between the existing Stewartby and {{rws|Kempston Hardwick}} stations which would close

As of May 2023, the results remain almost evenly divided with further work to be explored.<ref name="EWRMay2023"/>

====2023 Bedford–Cambridge preferred route  ====
In May 2023, following public consultation, EWRL published its preferred route for a new line between Bedford and Cambridge. The preferred route, which will be subject to statutory consultation in the first half of 2024, includes [[Tempsford railway station#Planned reopening|a new interchange station (with the ECML) at Tempsford]], a [[Cambourne railway station|new station at Cambourne]], then to Cambridge via Cambridge South station. The plan requires the [[compulsory acquisition]] and demolition of 65 houses in Bedford so that an additional two tracks can be laid north of Bedford station.<ref name=BBC260523>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-65720726 |title=East-West Rail: Route for £5bn Bedford to Cambridge link announced |work=BBC News |date=26 May 2023 |first1=Pete |last1=Cooper |first2=Ben |last2=Schofield}}</ref><ref name="EWRMay2023">{{cite web|url=https://eastwestrail-production.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Route-Update-Announcement/00ccf04d36/Route-update-report.pdf |title=East West Rail Route Update Report|publisher=East West Rail|date=May 2023|accessdate=26 May 2023}}</ref>{{rp|14}}

A majority of the section via Tempsford will broadly follow the route of the [[A428 road#A1–M11/A14 link|planned A1–M11/A14 link]].<ref name="EWRMay2023" />{{rp|97}} The report also presumes significant future urban development of the Tempsford area, particularly the disused [[RAF Tempsford]] site.<ref name="EWRMay2023" />{{rp|100}} Although the route into Cambridge via Cambridge South would be more expensive than the alternative northern approach, EWRL believes that it would bring greater economic benefits to the region.<ref name="EWRMay2023"/>{{rp|15}} Endorsing the proposed route, the [[Secretary of State for Transport]] ([[Mark Harper]]) confirmed the Government's continued support for the project.<ref name=BBC260523/>

In October 2023, Network Rail awarded a contract for construction of Cambridge South station.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=J Murphy & Sons awarded £93.4M contract to build Cambridge South station |first=Thomas |last=Johnson |magazine=New Civil Engineer |date=24 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/j-murphy-sons-awarded-93-4m-contract-to-build-cambridge-south-station-24-10-2023/ }}</ref>

===NAO investigation===
In October 2023, the [[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)|National Audit Office]] (NAO) announced that it intended to assess the "economic and strategic" case for the project.<ref>{{cite news |title=East West Rail: NAO investigation into planned rail line |first=Ben |last=Schofield |work=BBC News |date=24 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-67196909}}</ref> In December 2023, the NAO released its report which,<ref>{{cite web |title=Report – Value for money |date=13 December 2023 |publisher=[[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)]] |access-date=13 December 2023 |url=https://www.nao.org.uk/reports/investigation-into-the-east-west-rail-project-oxford-cambridge/}}</ref> among other remarks, observed that:
<blockquote> "East West Rail represents a £6-7 billion investment to support growth in a part of the UK that the government regards as economically important, but it is not yet clear how the benefits of the project will be achieved nor how it aligns to other government plans for growth in the region. As with many transport projects, the rationale for East West Rail does not rest on the strength of the benefit–cost ratio for the project alone{{snd}} which is poor{{snd}} but on its wider strategic aim of overcoming constraints to economic growth in the Oxford–Cambridge region".<ref>{{cite report |title=Investigation into the East West Rail project (Oxford – Cambridge) |url=https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/investigation-into-the-east-west-rail-project-summary.pdf |page=9 |date=13 December 2023 |publisher=[[National Audit Office (United Kingdom)]] }}</ref></blockquote>

==Eastern section==
[[File:East West Rail Consortium Eastern map.jpg|thumb|right|Eastern section of link including Norwich, Felixstowe, Ipswich and Cambridge]]
The track in this section is all in place and operational: from Cambridge to Norwich, Felixstowe and Ipswich. The plan would see more services on the existing [[Felixstowe Branch Line]], [[Ipswich to Ely Line]], and parts of the [[East Suffolk Line]] and [[Great Eastern Main Line]]. Hourly services in both directions between Cambridge and Ipswich were started in 2004. There are also hourly passenger services between Cambridge and Norwich operated by [[Greater Anglia (train operating company)|Greater Anglia]], although these run on the [[Breckland line]] (via {{rws|Ely}} and {{rws|Thetford}}) instead of the Great Eastern Main Line.

A section of Felixstowe Branch Line was doubled in 2009 to allow freight trains to pass each other at Derby Road in Ipswich<ref>{{Cite web |title=Felixstowe South reconfiguration inspector's report – Page 53 |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/ir/felixstowesouth/felixstowesouthreconfigurati4953?page=53 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304122809/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/ir/felixstowesouth/felixstowesouthreconfigurati4953?page=53 |archive-date=4 March 2010 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Department of Transport}}</ref> and there were plans to double {{convert|5|mi}} of route from Nacton to Trimley<ref>{{Cite web |title=The effect of the proposed development on safety and the free flow of traffic and its consistency with national transport planning policies |url=http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/ir/felixstowesouth/felixstowesouthreconfigurati4953?page=14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100304122754/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/shippingports/ports/ir/felixstowesouth/felixstowesouthreconfigurati4953?page=14 |archive-date=4 March 2010 |access-date=5 May 2009 |publisher=Department of Transport}}</ref> together with other work as part of the [[Birmingham to Peterborough Line|Felixstowe and Nuneaton freight capacity scheme]]. The "[[Ipswich railway station#Ipswich Railway Chord|Bacon Factory Curve]]" in Ipswich was completed in March 2014 to allow trains from Felixstowe to continue to the West Midlands without reversing at Ipswich.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SITE NAME: Between railway junction and Hadleigh Rd |url=http://ldf.ipswich.gov.uk/consultations_det.asp?art_id=9115&sec_id=4047 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110819215113/http://ldf.ipswich.gov.uk/consultations_det.asp?art_id=9115&sec_id=4047 |archive-date=19 August 2011 |access-date=5 May 2009}}</ref>

In January 2019, East West Rail Consortium released a document to press the case for the Eastern section to Norwich via Ely, and to Ipswich via Bury St Edmunds.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/29-Jan-2019-East-West-Rail-Eastern-Section-Rail-Prospectus-3.pdf |title=East West Rail: prospectus for growth |last=East West Rail Consortium: Eastern section |date=29 January 2019}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Oxford-Cambridge Arc]]
*[[Felixstowe to Nuneaton railway upgrade]]
*[[Northern Powerhouse Rail]], proposed upgrades to the Liverpool{{ndash}}Hull cross-Pennines route, especially the Liverpool{{ndash}}Manchester{{ndash}}Leeds section.
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==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{clear}}
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin |30em |indent=yes}}
* {{Cite report |url=http://networkrail.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hendy-report.pdf |title=Report from Sir Peter Hendy to the Secretary of State for Transport on the replanning of Network Rail's Investment Programme |last=Hendy |first=Peter |date=25 November 2015 |publisher=Network Rail |access-date=11 January 2016 |archive-date=21 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160121165816/http://networkrail.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/hendy-report.pdf |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/862577/Network-Rail-East-West-Rail-Bicester-Bedford-Improvements-Order-Inspectors-report.pdf |title=Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford improvements) order 201[ ]; application for deemed planning permission; applications for listed building consent |first=Martin |last=Whitehead |date=1 October 2019 |publisher=Department for Transport |publication-date=3 February 2020 |access-date=19 February 2020 }} (Inspector's report)
* {{Cite report |title=Making Meaningful Connections: Consultation Document |date=31 March 2021 |publisher=East West Rail Company |url=https://eastwestrail-production.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/EAS060_ConDoc_310321_Digital_MASTER-1.pdf |ref={{sfnref|Consultation Document|2021}}}} 
* {{Cite report |title=Making Meaningful Connections: Consultation Technical Report |url=https://eastwestrail-production.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Consultation-Technical-Report-Full.pdf |date=March 2021 |publisher=East West Rail Company |ref={{sfnref|Technical Report|2021}} }}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[https://eastwestrail.co.uk/ East West Railway Company] ([[QUANGO]] established to deliver the Oxford{{ndash}}Cambridge segment)
*[http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/ East West Main Line Partnership] (Consortium of local authorities promoting the entire Wales{{ndash}}East Anglia route).
*[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/east-west-rail-bicester-to-bedford-improvements-transport-and-works-act-order East West Rail Bicester to Bedford improvements: Transport and Works Act order] includes Inspector's report.

{{Transport in Buckinghamshire}}
{{Current rail infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:East West Rail| ]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Bedfordshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Buckinghamshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Milton Keynes]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Oxfordshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Cambridgeshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Suffolk]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Hertfordshire]]
[[Category:Rail transport in Cambridge]]
[[Category:Proposed transport infrastructure in the East of England]]
[[Category:Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (United Kingdom)]]
[[Category:2025 in rail transport]]
[[Category:Department for Transport]]
[[Category:Government-owned companies of the United Kingdom]]