East West Rail would be “a great addition to the network” says …
Following the first in a series of drop-in events hosted by East West Rail Co (EWR), an independent rail expert has told the Bedford Independent that the project would be “a great addition to the railway network”.
Christian Wolmar, one of the UK’s most well-known transport journalists, authors and railway historians, has also said he believes people whose homes would be demolished to make way for the railway should receive “at least double” their house value to “adequately reflect the awful fate of losing your house.”
This comes in the same week that Richard Fuller, Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire held a Parliamentary Debate on the project, attended by the Rail Minister and his shadow opposition, plus MPs representing constituencies along the route.
Mr Fuller has gone from a supporter of the project to a cynic and is now fully opposed it.
He described EWR in the debate as “a 19th Century response to a problem for which we in the 21st Century have solutions that are better, cheaper and less environmentally destructive.”
Richard Fuller, Conservative MP for North East Bedfordshire, speaks at the Westminster debate on East West Rail. Image: Screenshot from YouTube
In addition, he challenged the chair of East West Rail, Beth West, to a public debate to argue the economic case for the project.
Daniel Zeichner, Labour MP for Cambridge told the debate he, “just wanted to get this railway done. Electrification is essential… we need housing that is affordable via quick, reliable and environmentally sustainable transport links.”
He said there would always be a debate around the economic argument, but urged the minister to, “step back, look at the bigger picture and get this electrified railway built”.
Bedford and Kemspton MP, Mohammad Yasin (Labour), said there was no other constituency so impacted by the railway than his. The Labour MP said that for years his constituents had been held to ransom by “government incompetence to make a decision.”
“Houses are being stolen from my constituents,” he said. “We need to see far more detail around the plans.”
You can watch the full debate here[1].
Public event
Last week (15 June), Bedford Heights hosted a public information event to give Bedfordians more detail on the project and to allow them to speak to EWR staff.
The newly elected Conservative Mayor for Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, who campaigned on a platform to revoke the northern route, has openly voiced his opposition to the project.
He met with BFARe campaigners outside the event and said: “While we do support investment into our Borough, improved rail links and the EWR project in principle, we have always been clear that any decision involving the loss of homes and destruction of families, lives and countryside would be completely unacceptable.
“The selection of route E would involve a pointless six-line track despite EWR accepting the fact a four-track proposal was feasible and would avoid the destruction of homes.”
He said there was a sense of frustration and anger at the event as “residents felt ignored”.
“I want to leave no doubt that, unlike my predecessor, I will do everything in my power to ensure their concerns and views are heard.”
EWR’s chief executive, Beth West, and other senior engineers were on hand at the event to speak to those whose houses face the threat of demolition around Bedford station and answer questions from other residents.
Beth West, chief executive of East West Rail Co. Image: EWR
Beth West told the Bedford Independent that EWR wanted to hold their first event in the place which would take the most impact of the project – Poets – as quickly as possible.
“The project is mostly welcomed, but it’s vital we mitigate the problems for people whose lives are affected,” she said. “We want to help them move on from such a major life event.”
She said the team was perpetually designing and in the Autumn, more clearly laid out maps would be published with the aim of the railway opening in the early 2030s.
Four freight trains a day
Asked about freight, Ms West said: “It’s a passenger railway. There will be an extra two freight trains a day, each way – a really small incremental increase.”
She also doubled down on her commitment to a non-diesel railway. “I don’t want a diesel railway; we just can’t have it. The existing tech, as it develops, will offer new opportunities.”
A resident from North Bedfordshire, who didn’t want to be named, told the Bedford Independent that they didn’t think the project should go ahead, describing it as “an inappropriate ploy to get more freight on the railway”.
“We’re getting railroaded, ironically,” she said. “It will cut through swathes of countryside and ancient woodlands. We cannot get our countryside back; it feels very sad. I’m not in favour of any of it.”
EWR announced that it is committed to a “10% net biodiversity gain” over the whole project, and had established 20 “ecological compensation sites” along the first stage between Bicester and Bletchley.
Mark Cuzner, East West Railway Alliance Director, said: “Reducing the Project’s environmental impact has been a crucial factor in designing and building East West Rail, which is why we have been working closely with ecologists, engineering designers and construction teams to preserve or improve habitats at every opportunity.
“We are delighted that our Ecological Compensation Sites are proving to be a huge success and there are management plans in place for all of them to ensure they continue to flourish for many years to come.”
Still waiting for answers
People at the event whose homes are hanging in the balance were described by their local councillor as “distraught and angry” that they still don’t have definitive answers to whether their houses will be demolished.
“One couple who want to move are still unsure if they’ll qualify for the ‘need to sell’,” said Cllr Colleen Atkins (Labour), representing her constituents in Harpur ward.
“It’s an awful situation and my heart goes out to them. I came here with the expectation of finding out answers. I’ll be following it up.”
Cllr Ben Foley (Greyfriars, Green Party) also felt there were not enough answers for residents in Ashburnham Road and Bromham Road whose homes may be affected.
“People’s lives are in limbo and I don’t think the [Bedford Heights] event helped,” said Cllr Foley. “This event will help the mildly interested population who are not following in great detail. Those most closely affected won’t get answers.”
Cllr Foley reiterated that he was in favour of the project, but said, “I don’t buy that they need six tracks”.
Transport journalist and historian, Christian Wolmar. Image: Christianwolmar.co.uk
Transport commentator, historian and journalist, Christian Wolmar, told the Bedford Independent, “We have lived with railways since the 1930s and while it’s obviously not ideal [to live next to a railway line] by and large, people have coped and adapted.
“Modern trains are no longer belching out smoke and I can’t believe that this would be a diesel line.
“Of course, it will carry freight, but it won’t be constant. We need to ask ourselves, do we want to work towards saving the planet [by removing freight from the roads] or don’t we?”
He said the demolition of houses to make way for the railway was “unfortunate” but asked, “How many houses were destroyed for the M1, or the major stations in London?
“Unfortunately we’re rebuilding a railway that shouldn’t have been taken out in the first place. We want this sort of project.”
