Enabling work near-complete on ‘vital’ East-West rail link

Published: 4 Oct 2018

By: NIC

Tagged: ,

Mainline railway in Oxfordshire

Enabling works are near completion on a key section of the former “Varsity Line” between Oxford and Cambridge today, reaching a milestone in meeting the National Infrastructure Commission’s recommendations for supporting future economic prosperity across the growth arc.

The Commission’s “Partnering for Prosperity” report, published nearly a year ago, highlighted the need to improve both road and rail links between Oxford and Cambridge.  This would help deliver one million homes across the arc by 2050 and create vibrant communities, while at the same time maintaining the area’s natural beauty.

When complete, these enabling works will mean construction on the Western end of the East-West rail line – covering Oxford, Bicester, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Bedford – will be able to start from September next year.

It follows confirmation of the preferred corridor for the new Oxford-Cambridge Expressway, all as part of wider efforts to meet the economic potential identified by the Commission in its report.

A National Infrastructure Commission spokesman said:

“The near-completion of enabling works means real progress can be made in delivering the vital transport links between Oxford, Milton Keynes and Bedford, and can continue on to Cambridge.

“As our report highlighted, this and the Oxford-Cambridge Expressway together have the potential to help deliver one million homes by 2050, creating vibrant communities and supporting future economic growth.

“And as the Growth Arc continues to attract the brightest and best in some of the most high-tech industries, this will benefit both the area and the country as a whole.”

Notes to Editors:

Partnering for Prosperity was published on 17 November 2017 and can be found here

Share this article

<

Recent Articles

Funding allocation reforms “step forward” for flood resilience
Aerial image of the bridge over the River Derwent at Bubwith in Yorkshire during a flood

Funding allocation reforms “step forward” for flood resilience

The government has today (13 November) announced plans to reform the funding of flood risk management, alongside a review of the existing formula to ensure it addresses the flood protection challenges of businesses, and rural and coastal communities. In response Professor Jim Hall, Commissioner at the National infrastructure Commission, said: “We welcome government’s commitment to...

13 Nov 2024 By
Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory
T pylons being constructed

Advice to ministers provides “welcome clarity” on Clean Power 2030 trajectory

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has today (5 November 2024) published details of its advice to government on the steps needed to transform electricity generation, the transmission grid and other parts of the UK’s energy system in order to deliver the government’s Clean Power 2030 objectives. The analysis notes that while meeting the 2030...

5 Nov 2024 By
Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads
Workers fixing a pothole in Buckinghamshire

Budget response: welcome announcements on capital funding, HS2 and roads

Today (Wednesday 30 October) the government has set out its autumn Budget. It contains a number of infrastructure-related announcements including changes to capital investment rules, funding to complete the HS2 link between Old Oak Common and Euston station, and additional support for fixing roads. In response, Commission Chair Sir John Armitt said: On changes to...

30 Oct 2024 By

Evidence_Icon_Turquoise Created with Sketch.

Explore data used in the Commission's research, and gain insights from across UK infrastructure