The railway line proposal now takes into account the new Universal Resort near Bedford

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

The plans now take into account the new Universal Resort near Bedford and the increased passenger demands expected because of the development. A station at Stewartby has been planned to serve the theme park.

Gidon Freeman, Vice-President, External Affairs, Universal Destinations and Experiences, said: “One of the reasons we selected our site for a new entertainment resort complex featuring a world class theme park is its central location and excellent transport links. East West Rail can further improve that connectivity – its proposed station by Universal would enhance guest and team member arrival with a new link to our resort from across the Ox-Cam Corridor.”

The railway line is proposed to be built in new delivery phases with new stations and sections of the railway to open as soon as they are ready. EWR Co hopes this will bring forward the benefits of the line to communities and passengers and to allow growth such as housing opportunities and attracting businesses to the areas.

The core service will provide four five-carriage trains per hour across the whole route with an additional fifth train running at peak times or all day, if required. The fifth train could be used to enable service extensions to and from locations on rail network outside of the EWR route.

The latest updates include a new entrance to Cambridge Station proposed to help make access more convenient and provide step-free access to all platforms. It will also have bike storage, landscaping and street improvements like seating and lighting.

The new Cambridge East Station is set to be near Cambridge City Airport to help connect the wider region through an upgraded Newmarket line and will reduce pressure on Cambridge Station. A new location on the north side of St Neots Road for the Cambourne station has been proposed to “enable a greater degree of development close to the station”.

Changes have been proposed for the height of the railway between Bourne Brook and Harlton to be reduced by six metres and a green bridge will be created over the railway on the A603 Cambridge Road. The length of the tunnel starting at Harlton Road has increased from 700m to 940m.

Hybrid electric and battery equipped trains are planned to operate along the railway to reduce emissions and support net zero goals. Fulbourn could become the site for a train care centre where trains can be kept overnight and serviced, although other locations are being explored.

EWR Co is now asking for feedback on the updates with feedback from the consultation being taken into account before finalising the designs for the railways design ahead of the submission of a Development Consent Order in 2027.

The consultation will run from April 14 until June 9 with a series of public drop-in events being held to provide people with more information about the updated proposals.

David Hughes, CEO, East West Railway Company, said: “These updated proposals mark a major step forward for East West Rail to help ensure communities see the benefits of the project sooner as we finalise the design. More frequent and higher-capacity trains alongside a new station at Cambridge East and a new entrance at Cambridge station, will help unlock housing, support new jobs and attract investment, while giving residents and businesses better connections to Bedford, Milton Keynes and Oxford and wider destinations across the country.

“By bringing forward key elements of the railway and planning for increased demand, we are helping to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support future growth and opportunities for our communities. I encourage residents, businesses and stakeholders to take part in the consultation and share their views on our latest plans.”