East West Rail Company launches next phase of their consultation
The East West Rail Company have today launched the next phase of their consultation on the route from Bedford to Cambridge and we have just received the details of the East West Rail Company's proposals for their route through Bedford Borough.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said "I am still digesting the proposals, but I can immediately appreciate the distress this proposal will bring, particularly for those with homes on the route north of Bedford Station.
"This project will see a once in a generation investment in our local infrastructure by the government, but such a significant project is going to have impacts in a number of areas and we must make sure that people affected are properly considered and, wherever possible, impacts are removed or at least reduced. That is why I am encouraging everyone to respond to the consultation from the East West Railway Company. It's vital that all of the issues are made clear to the company.
"Alongside the Company's consultation we will be carrying out our own exercise in the coming weeks to collect these concerns from people so that the council can take them into account in its own response. The council response will be debated at a Full Council meeting before it is submitted.
"In that response we will continue to push the East West Rail Company to minimise the impact on the environment and local communities both during the construction and operation of the railway. We will also press for the railway to be electrified throughout to maximise the benefit to our environment by taking traffic off roads in a way that tackles climate change.
"The combination of a redeveloped Bedford station and a new EWR station south of Bedford will give the opportunity to minimise traffic on the Borough's congested roads.
"We want to see Bedford Borough thrive and prosper and a new mainline railway, linking the growing economies of Oxford and Cambridge with our Borough will mean more jobs and opportunities for local people.
"You can find out more about the consultation, including how to give your views at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation"