Show you support for East-West Rail

For the first time in over 50 years passengers could soon travel directly between Oxford and Bedford, and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, unlocking the region's housing potential and transforming the lives of residents for generations to come as the East West Rail project moves a step closer.

Network Rail has applied to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) which would enable it to complete East West Rail's Western Section between Oxford and Bedford, and Aylesbury and Milton Keynes.

With phase 1 between Oxford and Bicester already complete, phase 2 proposes major track and signalling upgrades between Bicester, Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, including the reinstatement of a 'mothballed' section of railway between Bletchley and Claydon Junction.

Bedford Borough's Liberal Democrat Mayor Dave Hodgson, who also Chairs the England's Economic Heartland's Strategic Transport Forum, said: "The Government has made realising the huge economic potential of this region a national priority and East West Rail is fundamental to delivering this. It will support new jobs and housing and also be a catalyst for regenerating the towns and cities across its route. We now need the route between Bedford and Cambridge to be confirmed as soon as possible, so that delivery of the full scheme can be achieved within the Government's stated target of the mid-2020s."

There is now a six week period lasting to September 7 when people can write to the Secretary of State giving their views on the scheme. This is likely to be followed by a public inquiry, after which an inspector will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for his consideration. If you wish to support the application, the email address to write to is transportandworksact@dft.gov.uk

All submission documents are available at www.networkrail.co.uk/east-west-rail and paper copies can be viewed at the Bedford Library.