Warning over Prospect of East West Rail Bypass for Bedford (North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats)

North Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats <bedford@bedfordlibdems.org>

Warning over Prospect of East West Rail Bypass for Bedford

March 5, 2009 12:10 PM

Bedford Borough Lib Dems have warned that Bedford faces missing out altogether on the economic and social benefits that a new east-west rail link will bring

Bedford Borough Lib Dems are sounding the alarm bells after the latest report on the proposed East West Railway between East Anglia and Central England has left Bedford in real jeopardy of being bypassed by the route altogether.

In a letter published on the East West Rail Consortium's website, the Consortium Chair states that the consultants' report shows that the route which may stand the best chance of being delivered runs via Luton to Stevenage and then on to Cambridge. This route avoids Bedford altogether and would leave the town on one end of a new branch line to Aylesbury. In response, Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have stressed the need for an urgent, broad-based campaign of support for a route via Bedford to be backed instead. This would help ensure that the town and the surrounding area does not miss out on the significant economic and social benefits that the new railway will bring.

Commenting on the issue, Liberal Democrat Cllr Michael Headley said: "It is crucial for Bedford and the surrounding area that we are not bypassed by the East West Railway. The options for our town are stark. We can either be stuck at one end of a branch line to Aylesbury or be linked by a fast, direct route to destinations such as Reading, Oxford, Cambridge and Stansted Airport. In these difficult times, the economic boost that would be provided by the links to the high-tech industries based in these locations would be tremendous for Bedford.'

"This is about providing real opportunities for local businesses and jobs for local residents. With the large amount of development planned for this area in the forthcoming years and the need for jobs to match housing growth, East West rail makes economic sense for Bedford. It is also the common sense solution, as we can maximise the benefit from our central location between Oxford and Cambridge.

"A broad-based local campaign is needed to make clear to the decision-makers on the East West Rail Consortium and in Government that East West Rail must serve Bedford. I hope that all those who care about Bedford's future can be united on this, including local businesses and business organisations, residents and the Borough Council. As a community we need to make it clear now that we are not prepared to lose out, or else we risk the train leaving the station without us."