We welcome the news that the Transport Secretary has announced that Chiltern Railways will run services on the first section of East West Rail.
Chiltern Railways will launch services later this year which will connect Oxford, Oxford Parkway, Bicester, Winslow, Bletchley and Milton Keynes Central. This new section of line forms a critical part of the Government’s mission to unlock inclusive growth along the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor.
The new service will transform economic and social connections in the region, by providing a regular train service along this line for the first time in nearly 60 years. Initial services will use Class 196 trains which have been leased from West Midlands Railway. Chiltern Railways will also be managing a newly constructed East West Rail station in Winslow where a new car park, booking office and platforms have been built. Chiltern Railway’s services will also call at two new high-level platforms which have been built on the flyover at Bletchley station.
“Appointing Chiltern to run passenger services is a crucial step in getting East West Rail services into operation and delivering growth along the first stage of the line. This announcement shows that we are serious about unleashing the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and getting the East West Rail service up and running. These services will not only link two hubs of UK economic growth in Oxford and Milton Keynes, but provide the transport links needed to support new homes and make the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor a real success.” Heidi Alexander, Transport Secretary
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