East West Railway Company (EWR Co.) held a reception in Parliament this week to coincide with the launch of its report You Said, We Did – Autumn Update.
The reception was attended by Advanced Oxford’s MD, Sarah Haywood, and other members of the Oxford to Cambridge Supercluster Board also attended, including Chair, Andy Williams, and Director of the Arc Universities Group, Alistair Lomax. Oxfordshire MP Olly Glover also joined the reception. Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, joined David Hughes, CEO of EWR CO, alongside host, MP for Milton Keynes Central, Emily Darlington, confirming her support for the railway and the importance of the scheme to the growth of the Oxford to Cambridge corridor.
EWR’s report provides an important overview of how community feedback is shaping the design of the rail connection between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. The update reflects EWR Co.’s commitment to transparent engagement and its ambition to deliver a railway that supports sustainable growth across the Oxford–Cambridge corridor.
The report “outlines how designs have evolved and highlights key decisions which have been made following the last non-statutory consultation which concluded at the beginning of this year. It also explains where there is still more work to be done.”
A project shaped by local input
EWR Co. confirms that its third non-statutory consultation, held between November 2024 and January 2025, “received more than 6,000 responses from residents, landowners, local authorities, statutory bodies, businesses and many others along the route.”
This feedback has played a central role in refining plans.
As Chief Executive David Hughes states:
“Your input is helping shape how EWR will be designed, ensuring it meets the needs of local people for years to come.”
The report also confirms that teams have been “carefully analysing the feedback and refining our proposals” including improvements prompted by wider technical work and external factors such as major new development proposals.
Key updates across the route
The Autumn Update sets out decisions and areas of ongoing development across the railway’s route. Among the most significant announcements are:
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Confirmation that “we need to provide additional capacity at our stations and on our services” in light of growing development across the corridor.
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A commitment to “use a discontinuous electrification system between Oxford and Cambridge” to reduce cost, minimise landscape impacts and support the transition to net zero.
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Progress on station proposals including Bletchley, Bedford and Tempsford, with updates on design, accessibility and opportunities for wider regeneration.
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Development of new active travel connections, environmental mitigation measures and improved flood risk management.
The report also provides a clear indication of next steps, reaffirming that this is “part of an ongoing process as plans are developed and refined” and that further consultation will take place in 2026.
Why this matters for Oxfordshire’s innovation economy
High quality, reliable and sustainable transport connections are essential to supporting a dynamic innovation ecosystem. East West Rail has long been recognised by our members as a catalyst for:
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Improved labour mobility across knowledge-intensive clusters
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Better access to research facilities, campuses and employment sites
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Reduced road congestion and more sustainable travel choices
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Stronger links between universities, science parks and high-growth businesses
As the report reiterates, the railway will “bring real, sustainable growth to communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge” and “connect people with opportunities while protecting what matters most to local communities.”
These aims align closely with Advanced Oxford’s vision for the region to be the most dynamic innovation economy in the UK and the best place to start and grow a science-based business.
Anyone wishing to discuss the project further can contact Stuart Edwards via [email protected].
To read the full You Said, We Did – Autumn Update and the accompanying Feedback Summary Report, visit:
https: //eastwestrail.co.uk/you-said-we-did
