A NEW £5billion train line is set to connect two of the UK’s most beautiful cities.
The government have confirmed a £2.5 billion cash injection into continuing to deliver the plan.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a further £2.5 billion in funding for East West Rail (EWR), the major infrastructure project to establish a railway link between Oxford and Cambridge.
She announced the investment in her first spending review statement to Parliament after the long-delayed scheme.
Speaking in the House of Commons Reeves said: “I have heard representations from my honourable friends from Milton Keynes North, Milton Keynes Central and Buckingham and Bletchley.
“And I can tell the House today to connect Oxford and Cambridge and to back Milton Keynes’ leading tech sector I am providing a further £2.5 billion for the continued delivery of East West Rail.”
The funding is part of a broad vision to develop the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
A government policy paper released alongside the Chancellor’s speech described a “renewed focus” on driving growth in the area.
It also confirmed that EWR remains central to that ambition, supporting not only economic development but also enabling large-scale housing growth reports East Anglia ByLines.
Reeves reiterated the government’s commitment to creating 1.5 million new homes and emphasised that new transport links like EWR would help unlock sites for housing and employment along the route.
The railway is also expected to ease pressure on roads, connect communities more effectively and stimulate local economies by making areas more attractive for investment and business start-ups.
Councillor Judy Roberts, cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action on Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We welcome the continued commitment from the government to progress East West Rail through to Cambridge,” reported This is Oxfordshire.
She added: “Which builds on previous budget commitments and delivery of the route between Oxford and Milton Keynes, expected to open soon following current train testing.
“East West Rail effectively provides a ‘backbone’ for developing a wider regional integrated sustainable transport network.
“And it will be important that Oxfordshire works with those on the scheme to provide high-quality first mile/last mile connectivity from key stations along the route.
“It will also be important to maximise the benefits of development for East West Rail through delivering economic, social and environmental benefits, as well as onward rail connections, for example to Swindon and Bristol.
What is the East West Rail
First conceived more than 20 years ago, the EWR project aims to establish a direct rail link between Oxford and Cambridge.
The full scheme is expected to cost at least £5 billion and includes both upgrades to existing infrastructure and construction of new lines.
The project is divided into four key segments:
- Upgrading the rail between Oxford and Bicester (completed in 2016).
- Restoring a disused line between Bicester and Bletchley (opening later this year).
- Refurbishing the existing route from Bletchley to Bedford (to be completed by 2030).
- Building a brand new stretch of railway from Bedford to Cambridge (still in planning stage).
- The line, once completed, will make it possible to travel from Oxford or Cambridge to most of the north of England without having to go through London.
“This includes delivery of a fully decarbonised passenger and freight railway at the next stage of development, with supporting investment in electrification infrastructure and high-quality new trains, including for use between Oxford and Milton Keynes.”
Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, also supported the plans and said: “I welcome the Government’s confirmation in the Spending Review of the £2.5 billion for the next phase of the East West Rail project.
“It’s crucial that East West Rail deliver the funding to keep London Road open and I will continue pressing the company and Rail Ministers to commit to an underpass for all modes of light transport.”
Other announcements made in the spending review included a further £3.5 billion towards improving the TransPennine rail route that links York, Leeds and Manchester.
