East West Rail - A Powerful Economic, Technical and Common Sense Case

A report published this month by Oxford Economics has set out the potential economic benefits of the East West Rail project, not just for areas along the proposed route such as ours but also for the wider economy, and it makes a compelling case.

The economic forecasters were commissioned by the East West rail consortium, of which Bedford Borough Council is a member, to investigate and set out the economic case for investment, and they concluded that re-opening this key strategic railway could generate more than £38 million a year for the UK economy. The report builds on earlier work by the engineering and design consultancy, Atkins, which said that reinstating the railway between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Bedford with a link to Aylesbury, represented a good business return of £6 for every £1 invested. These reports are important in setting out the case for the project, but it is of course little surprise that the technical and economic case stacks up so well, as it quite simply makes sense in so many respects. I have always been a strong supporter of East West rail, from an economic and environmental standpoint. Completion of a direct rail link between Oxford and Bedford, and ultimately to Cambridge and beyond, would represent a tremendous boost to Bedford Borough's transport infrastructure and economic strength. That's why I will be working, particularly through the new South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership, to press the case for the project to government.

The East-West Rail Consortium is seeking inclusion of the scheme on the Government's 2014-19 railway investment programme (known as HLOS - High Level Output Specification) that is due to be decided and announced by July 2012. I know that inclusion on this programme is going to be hugely competitive, but I am convinced by the case for East West Rail, and I will work with other local authorities, business and other partners to make government equally convinced and help bring about a vital piece of infrastructure which will benefit Bedford Borough and its residents for generations to come.

The full report by Oxford Economics can be found on the East West Rail Consortium's website here: http://eastwestrail.org.uk/the_project/the-economic-case-for-investment/