It is expected to unlock £6.7 billion in economic growth and 100,000 new homes

The long-awaited East West Rail project linking Cambridge with Oxford and Milton Keynes has seen the government confirm a new regulator to ‘speed up’ project approvals. The change is expected to cut delays by helping developers complete environmental assessments more quickly.

East West Rail has introduced a Lead Environmental Regulator to streamline planning and make key decisions “efficient” and “effective” for the project set to be completed by 2030. Officials say this will “cut bureaucracy rather than environmental standards”.

East West Rail is expected to unlock £6.7 billion in economic growth and 100,000 new homes. The announcement follows a £100 million government investment in digital services and specialist staff for the Environment Agency and Natural England to process planning applications faster over the next three years.

Phillip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “Once complete, 3.5 million people across Oxford, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Bedford will have access to more frequent trains, better connections and a station close to home”.

Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says it is a “win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature”. Reynolds continued: “Our regulators do vital work protecting the environment we all depend on. Today marks a decisive shift in our drive to make regulation work for the people of Britain”.

David Hughes, Chief Executive Officer at East West Rail, said: “The single point of contact will make a huge difference, as it will ensure that key decisions can be made efficiently, and effectively.”

He added: “This will deliver momentum for the construction of the railway” and “allow the region to feel the economic and social benefits far sooner than would have otherwise been the case”.