The original Varsity Line – connecting Oxford and Cambridge by rail – ran until 1967, with some parts of the line being retained.
However, a new national infrastructure project hopes to bring the line back into use. If approved, the new line will be known as the East West Railway, and will upgrade existing railway routes, and build new infrastructure where needed.
According to the current proposals, the project will be completed in three stages:
Work has already started on this section, which will connect Oxford and Bletchley. This will involve construction of a new section of railway between Bicester and Bletchley, with an expectation that trains will be able to run from Oxford to Milton Keynes by 2025.
Part of this stage will also see an upgrade to Bletchley station, and a new station for the Winslow area.
Future plans include an aspiration to upgrade the Aylesbury line which links to this section of track.
Once stage 1 has been completed, the line from Bletchley to Bedford will be upgraded, with Bedford station being completely remodelled.
The final stage of the project will deliver the completion of the rail link between Oxford and Cambridge railway and will see services running between the two cities, via Bedford and Bletchley.
As with all national infrastructure schemes we advise on, Holmes & Hills will provide regular updates on the East West Railway scheme:
Holmes & Hills take a look at the scope of the proposal and how this might affect landowners in the vicinity of the scheme.
Ten week consultation period announced from 14th November.
East West Railway have recently announced that, having updated their scheme proposals to reflect further design work, environmental assessment and analysis and ongoing engagement and feedback from the last round of public consultation in 2025, they have launched what they intend to be a final round of public consultation ahead of the anticipated submission of the formal development consent order application in 2027. The updated proposals (full details of which are available on the EWR website) include an accelerated construction programme, the delivery of up to five trains per hour/ longer trains and the provision of a brand new station at Bedford and a station at Stewartby to serve the proposed new Universal Resort near Bedford.
The consultation period is open from 14 April 2026 to 9 June 2026, and details of how to participate can be found on the EWR website at EWR Consultation April to June 2026.
If you have land or interests which are affected by the EWR scheme proposals and need advice as to your next steps, our specialist team of compulsory purchase and development consent order solicitors is available to help.
Holmes & Hills have a specialist team of compulsory purchase solicitors who deal with issues arising from these types of national infrastructure projects.
The team are currently advising clients on:
If you have any concerns over the impact of the East West Rail scheme on your land or property, or indeed any other compulsory purchase issue, our CPO solicitors are able to help.
Call us on 01206 593933 today to speak with one of our specialist CPO team. Or complete the form below.
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