Mayor Slams Rail Betrayal as Government 'Pauses' Electrification and Threatens East West Rail Progress

Mayor Dave Hodgson has slammed yesterday's announcement by the government that Network Rail's infrastructure projects up to 2019 are being reviewed, with the electrification of the Midland Mainline north of Bedford to be 'paused'. The announcement comes after months of excessive noise at all hours, roads disruption and more have been suffered by residents in villages along the route in north Bedfordshire. Meanwhile, the announcement that the delivery of infrastructure projects in this period are to be reviewed also places a question mark over the timescales for the much-heralded East West Rail link between Bedford and Oxford.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Shame on the Government for cutting these vital rail schemes, having promised them before the election. Residents in villages north of Bedford have already suffered appalling disruption due to the electrification works, and now we learn it has all been for nothing, at least in the near future. It's a broken promise which has let down rail users and beleaguered local communities in Bedford Borough."

Commenting on the possibility of further delays to the vital East West Rail western section between Bedford and Oxford, Mayor Dave Hodgson added: "The government's promise to deliver East West Rail between Oxford and Bedford by 2017 has already been broken once and delayed to 2019. Any further delays would be bad news for the local economy and another betrayal for local residents who believed the government's promises on rail investment for Bedford."