The East West Railway Company has released an updated proposal for a new rail line connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge

Cambridgeshire Live readers have voiced their opinions on proposals for a new rail line in the county, with many sharing strong views. Comments centred on whether the route is necessary, how it will be operated, and whether it is suited to future travel needs.

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has released an updated proposal for a new railway line in Cambridgeshire. The new route would connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge, with up to five trains per hour planned.

The revised proposals now factor in the new Universal Resort near Bedford and the heightened passenger demand anticipated as a result of the development. A station at Stewartby has been earmarked to serve the theme park.

Some readers questioned whether the demand exists to justify the line. Camssurvivor writes: “Five trains an hour? Brilliant. Over the past 60 years, freight transport on the railways has fallen by 63 per cent. If you look at cross-country passenger trains, there aren’t many passengers on them. Only the London commuter lines are busy.”

Alydavid comments: “We wait at our local level crossing every day, watching empty trains hurtle by. The actual plan is to build many more houses and further strain the overstretched poor infrastructure.”

Marlesherbes feels: “EWR has but a single problem. The Unions; there are still no trains between Bedford & Oxford as the unions refuse to allow trains unless there’s both a driver and a guard, the latter to operate the doors, which are automatic anyway!”

Creda1 adds: “Perhaps closer to Cambridge City centre would be a good idea and not nearly 2 miles out.”

Feelgood66 comments: “So five trains an hour plus the trains from Kings Cross coming in from Royston direction, plus the trains coming up from Stansted direction. All funnelling into Shelford. Wouldn’t want to live near that junction, it’s bad enough living next to the Kings Cross line as I do, right next to the area the lines will meet near Harston.”

Drdpy says: “With small trains running four times an hour, that is 231,840 people a week. The population of Cambridge is 157,697, and Oxford is about 165,000. Is it possible that there are insufficient trains running between the two cities? Is there sufficient parking for cars and bicycles if everyone in the city actually used the train? Is that why the new stations, South Cambridge and the proposed East Cambridge, have no car parks?

“There is no available land on which to build mass transport. That is why the newly proposed busway from Cambourne to Cambridge through Coton Orchard is stopping a mile outside the city. The University does not agree that the city needs better transport and has stopped development for decades. The new stations will have bike racks, but not enough for the number of passengers proposed. The city will need new pedestrian ways to cope with the numbers.”

Is there a need for this route? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.