East-West Railway Company (EWR Co) has appointed Arup-led consortium for the development of Bedford to Cambridge section of East-West rail project. 

This section was recently designated a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project by the UK Government which means that following comprehensive consultation, EWR Co will be able to apply for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorize the project.

Once the preferred route has been selected, Arup will be supporting EWR Co with a range of work including critical route alignment design and assessment, public consultation work and factual studies to inform strategic decision making.

EWR Co was set up by the Department for Transport to pioneer a new business model that combines the delivery of both rail infrastructure and passenger services for a new direct rail connection between Oxford and Cambridge.

When completed, the railway line from Oxford to Cambridge will serve Bicester, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and those communities in between, providing a quicker and more reliable alternative to current transport options.

The line is designed to unlock the significant economic potential of the area, building infrastructure that works for local people. It also reinforces the strategic direction of local authorities across the route and supports Government proposals for delivering growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. This award marks EWR Co’s first major support contract and represents a significant step forward for the scheme.

The preferred route for the Bedford-Cambridge section is expected to be published by the end of 2019 – alongside a full report of the consultation.