Transport and Logistics Network
A derelict riverside plot in a Cambridgeshire town will be transformed into a “vibrant neighbourhood” with new homes and a care home. The major development, including up to 60 homes, will be built on the Nene Waterfront in Wisbech.
Fenland District Cou…
Train services between Bedford and Brighton are expected to experience overnight cancellations at the start of July whilst engineering works take place.
Engineering work is taking place overnight between Bedford and Luton, closing some lines. Buses wil…
Green councillor says it’s infuriating
By Clare Turner
Published 30th May 2023, 12:50 BST
Updated 30th May 2023, 12:50 BST
In Friday’s announcement, EWR said work would now be carried out to minimise “the impact on homes and businesses in the Ashburnham Road area” but didn’t elaborate further.
East West Rail: 65 homes in Bedford on the chopping block as new rail route reve…
[2]
Ashburnham Road
Much has been made of the loss of homes in the Poets area – but during the 2021 consultation, EWR had also identified several commercial and residential properties in Ashburnham Road which could also be demolished.
They included a doctors’ surgery, the Pentecostal Church, the tyre centre, the Polish community centre and some private residences.
In EWR’s Route Update Report released on Friday[3], it said: “Further work will be undertaken at the next stage of the design to minimise the area of land required for the construction of Bedford[4] station as well as the footprint of the proposed station building, and to refine platform geometry and arrangement, with a view to minimising the impact on homes and businesses in the Ashburnham Road area.”
But Ben Foley – the Green Party councillor for Greyfriars ward – says that work should already have taken place by now and Ashburnham Road residents just want to know where they stand.
He said: “The fact that the Government’s agency East West Rail (EWR) still are unwilling to narrow down at all the site they are looking at for Bedford station is infuriating.
“There was no need to threaten homes in Ashburnham Road with demolition in the first place and I’m angry that they haven’t taken this opportunity to narrow the area of consideration.
“It is very worrying that they appear to have rejected the idea of a fast platform at Bedford station, something the town vitally needs.
“I’m also amazed that, even though there is enough space for six tracks without demolishing any homes, they are still persisting in plans to demolish so many homes north of Bedford station. I do not believe that they have done anything like enough to minimise the impact on homes north of Bedford station.”
There will be drop-in sessions to find out more
East West Rail[1] has claimed the service will boost regeneration in Bedford[2] as it announced its latest proposals today (Friday).
The latest proposals include the announcement that EWR is sticking with its six-track plan and route E option north of Bedford.
The company says plans for EWR have been updated following feedback from the second non-statutory public consultation with local people. The updated proposals include two new stations for Bedford – with St Johns station being moved closer to Bedford Hospital between Ampthill Road[3] and Cauldwell Street.
EWR route map
There will also be a multi-million-pound makeover of the Bedford Midland station, supporting the wider regeneration of the town centre. And a new station will be buil t near Tempsford.
According to East West Rail, the route will slash travel times by up to 40 minutes for people living in Bedford who want to travel to Cambridge[4] or Milton Keynes. Today, journeys between Bedford and Cambridge take 50 to 75 minutes by road and two hours by train. EWR will cut this to just 35 minutes.
And trains would run roughly every 20 minutes in each direction between Bedford and Bletchley, with line speeds faster than the current 60mph but capped below the 100 mph originally proposed in 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of homes at risk in Bedford has been reduced from 97 to 65, with the company saying it is continuing to look for ways to reduce this even further and a Proposed Need to Sell Property Scheme being set up to help imacted landowners.
East West Rail: 65 homes in Bedford on the chopping block as new rail route reve…
Beth West, CEO, EWR Co, said: “People[6] in Bedford deserve access to faster and more reliable east-west public transport, and EWR is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to open up new journeys, cut travel times, ease congestion on local roads and bring more jobs within reach of people living locally.
“Quick, reliable public transport linking Bedford with Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford continues to have widespread local support and our updated proposals have been shaped by the hundreds of conversations we’ve had with local people, businesses and other stakeholders and the thousands of responses we received to our most recent public consultation.
“By adding two additional tracks to the Midland Mainline tracks north of Bedford, EWR will be able to serve Bedford town centre and deliver faster and more reliable east-west public transport services that will unlock new opportunities for people in Bedford and the surrounding areas. We recognise that these additional tracks would affect some people’s homes and we’ve been determined to reduce this impact. By challenging the design, we’ve found ways to significantly reduce the number of properties affected in this area and are today publishing new guidance and support for landowners.”
A series of public drop-in events are being arranged to provide opportunities to meet the EWR Co team and find out more about the updated proposals.
Justin Richardson, chief executive, Bedfordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “Bedford’s regeneration is already underway, and the new East West Rail line will boost it significantly, helping more people travel right into the centre of Bedford. It will help local businesses to be better connected with other regional businesses and institutions and bring more jobs within the reach of local people. The improved connectivity will also help to attract new investment into Bedford town centre and the surrounding areas.”
Maps showing updated proposals of the route between Oxford-Cambridge, and the Cambridge[1] approach, have been released by the East West Rail Company (EWR Co).[2] The government announcement today (Friday, May 26) showed their preference for a southern…