The East West Rail consultation has been announced as a final eight-week process. It gives communities a chance to shape the final design. The new railway will link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

East West Rail consultation runs until June 9, 2026
Photo: East West Rail

What the East West Rail consultation includes?

East West Rail says the consultation will run from 14 April to 9 June 2026. Also, it will gather public feedback before the final Development Consent Order submission in 2027. The consultation comes before the planned 2027 submission.

Participants will be able to view new high-resolution station images. They will also be able to watch fly-through animations. Also, revised plans for phased construction will be available.

Don’t miss…SEPTA buys 24 Exo rail cars for Regional Rail

Plans for stations, services and trains

The consultation material covers proposals for new and upgraded stations. At the same time, it sets out service patterns aimed at future demand. That includes demand linked to the Universal theme park. In addition, it includes plans for hybrid electric and battery-powered trains. Those plans are intended to support net zero ambitions.

Public drop-in events and online sessions

East West Rail said it will hold public drop-in events along the route. Separately, it will also hold weekend sessions and online events. Meanwhile, a virtual consultation room will also host materials online.

The sessions are:

Monday 20 April – Online Webinar (18:30 – 20:00)

Thursday 23 April – Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford, SG19 2AW   (14:00 – 19:00)

Saturday 25 April – Summerlin Centre, 138 Station Road, Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG (14:00 – 19:00)

Wednesday 29 April – Bletchley Masonic Centre, 263 Queensway, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, MK2 2BZ (14:00 – 19:00)

Thursday 30 April – Stewartby Village Hall, Stewartby Way, Stewartby, MK43 9LU (12:00 – 17:00)

Friday 1 May – Great Shelford Rugby Club, The Davey Field, Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5JJ (14:00 – 19:00)

Wednesday 6 May – Online Webinar (15:00 – 16:30)

Tuesday 12 May – The King’s Centre, Osney Mead, Oxford, OX2 0ES (11:00 – 18:00)

Thursday 14 May – Lidlington Village Hall, High Street, Lidlington, MK43 0RN (14:00 – 19:00)

Friday 15 May – Longueville Hall, Whaddon Road, Newton Longville, MK17 0AT (14:00 – 19:00)

Monday 18 May – Venture Conferencing, Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG (11:00 – 18:00)

Thursday 21 May – Cambridge United Football Club, Cledara Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN (11:00 – 18:00)

Saturday 23 May – King’s House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ (11:00 – 18:00)

Saturday 30 May – Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, Cambourne, CB23 6BW (11:00 – 18:00)

Tuesday 2 June – Online Webinar (10:30 – 12:00)

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed:

Don’t miss…Sydney Trains tilt wagons set for July rollout

Find the latest news of the railway industry in Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the rest of the world on our page on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, read Railway Supply magazine online.

Place your ads on webportal and in Railway Supply magazine. Detailed information is in Railway Supply media kit