Press release

New report confirms strong business case for East West Rail

A new report, commissioned and funded by Milton Keynes Partnership on behalf of the East West Rail Consortium, has confirmed that there is a strong business and operating case for a new network of railway lines and train services linking Milton Keynes to Oxford, Aylesbury and Bedford by 2012.

Jane Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Milton Keynes Partnership, said:  “The South East Plan describes East West Rail as regionally significant transport infrastructure and this important study has now provided us with valuable evidence that the western section can and should be done.  Milton Keynes Partnership is committed to taking the lead role in progressing and financing the project through to its next phase, in close partnership with the East West Rail Consortium.”

The next phase of development would enable an outline design of the rail infrastructure to be produced, in addition to detailed construction and operations management plans.  With the necessary support and funding from all of the appropriate parties it is expected that the procurement process for this next phase could begin by early May.

The report on the business and operating case has been circulated to key stakeholders of the East West Rail Consortium.  Meetings have been held with senior officers from the relevant local planning authorities and local delivery vehicles to update them on plans, exchange ideas on how the project could be implemented and to seek inclusion of East West Rail within their Local Delivery Frameworks.

Discussions have also taken place with the Department for Communities and Local Government and with the Department for Transport Rail Group to update them on the results of the study. 

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Notes to editors:

For more information please contact: Helen Carvalho or Nadir Farrell, Milton Keynes Partnership press office on 01908 353981 or 353913
helen.carvalho@hca.gsx.gov.uk
nadir.farrell@hca.gsx.gov.uk