Misplaced Pages

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51-606: East West Rail is a strategic aim to establish a new main line railway between East Anglia and South Wales . The immediate plan is to build (or rebuild) a line linking Oxford and Cambridge via Bicester , Milton Keynes (at Bletchley ) and Bedford , largely using the trackbed of the former Varsity Line . Thus it provides a potential route between any or all of the Great Western , Cotswold , Chiltern , West Coast , Midland , East Coast , West Anglia and Great Eastern main lines, avoiding London. The new line will provide

102-457: A double track and often contain multiple parallel tracks. Main line tracks are typically operated at higher speeds than branch lines and are generally built and maintained to a higher standard than yards and branch lines. Main lines may also be operated under shared access by a number of railway companies, with sidings and branches operated by private companies or single railway companies. Railway points (UK) or switches (US) are usually set in

153-554: A nationally significant infrastructure project . The link is promoted by the East West Rail Main Line Partnership (originally called the "East West Rail Consortium") which was initiated by Ipswich Borough Council in 1995. The council and its neighbours were particularly concerned about poor services within East Anglia and the links to London. Some success was achieved east of Cambridge, at least partly through

204-576: A 90–100 mph (140–160 km/h) line speed. At that stage it was due for completion in 2019. On 16 July 2012, the East-West Rail Consortium made the following announcement: "The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP, today announced that the Western section of East West Rail (EWR) will be part of the government's strategy for rail transport, confirming not only funding for

255-522: A consortium of local authorities and interested bodies along the route. In 2013 it was adopted by the Department for Transport and, in late 2017, the government announced that it would be delivered by a quango , the East West Railway Company (rather than Network Rail). The plan is divided into three sections: Phase 1 of the western section, the segment from Oxford via Bicester Village to

306-534: A direct Banbury –Bletchley service) or at Bletchley (to enable a direct Milton Keynes Central – Bedford service). As of August 2024, the service patterns for the Oxford–Bedford and Oxford–Milton Keynes Central semi-fast services has yet to be published. Pending any announcement to the contrary, it is assumed that the Oxford–Bicester and Bletchley–Bedford 'all stations' services will continue. In

357-546: A high-level platform" for Bedford trains. "The network will be suitable for the later addition of any 'East-West' link to and from Oxford and for the operation of through links from either Oxford or Bedford to and from Milton Keynes". In March 2007, a study (funded by the East West Rail Consortium) stated that A very good operating and business case exists for the “Base Case” 2tph passenger service between Oxford and Milton Keynes, and an operating case also exists for

408-665: A motion "that this House welcomes the publication of the Government's latest economic forecast, which..." rather than as a statement to the House of Commons. In 1997, Labour's new Chancellor, Gordon Brown , moved the Budget back to spring and replaced the second statement with the Pre-Budget Report (PBR). According to the "Code for Fiscal Stability", published by HM Treasury in November 1998,

459-551: A new Autumn Statement focusing on economic growth and government finances as projected by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). Osborne's 2015 statement on 25 November was a joint Autumn Statement and Spending Review , and included a new forecast by the OBR . In 2016, Conservative Chancellor Philip Hammond announced his intention to end the Autumn Statement: instead of a Budget in

510-487: A preferred route to be announced in early 2019 following a number of public consultations. In April 2018, the chairman of the East West Railway Company, Rob Brighouse, suggested a new line between Milton Keynes and Bedford might avoid the problems with the current Marston Vale Line. These problems are the all-stations hourly stopping service operated by London Northwestern Railway and numerous level crossing on

561-549: A route for future services between Southampton Central or Swansea and Ipswich or Norwich , using existing onward lines. The government approved the western section (from Oxford to Bedford ) in November 2011, with completion of the section to Bletchley expected by 2025, and services to Bedford to run by 2030. The line was initially promoted (as the East West Rail Link ) by the East-West Rail Consortium ,

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612-523: Is specified as double-track, 100 mph (160 km/h) max.; Aylesbury– Claydon LNE Junction is to be single-track (with space but no underpinnings for a second track), up to 90 mph (140 km/h) but Bletchley–Bedford is to remain at 60 mph (97 km/h) maximum. The line is not initially to be electrified but constructed so as to facilitate electrification at a later date. The proposed Newton Longville station does not appear. There are no funded plans for north-to-east chords at Bicester (to enable

663-603: The Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor , the NIC called for the line between Bicester and Bedford to be reopened by 2023 and Bedford/Cambridge by 2030, and for the development and construction of a link between the M1 motorway and Oxford by 2030, as part of the proposed Oxford–Cambridge Expressway . In his budget of November 2017 the Chancellor, Philip Hammond, allocated further funding to open

714-601: The East West Rail Alliance , the consortium  – VolkerRail , Atkins , Laing O'Rourke and Network Rail  – developing the Western section, noted that the decision by the Department for Transport to delete electrification from the specification was causing further delay to the programme, because work already done on the TWA applications would need to be reworked. In November 2017, in its report on

765-685: The UK's decision to leave the European Union . In October 2016, the Minister instructed Network Rail to delete electrification from the design, but to maintain clearances to permit a retrofit at an unspecified future date. In November 2016, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond announced £110   million funding to ensure completion of the Bicester–Bedford segment by 2025. In December 2016,

816-753: The West Coast Main Line and the Midland Main Line . It will use the Oxford–Bicester line , a renovated section of the Varsity Line from Bicester to Bletchley, and finally the Marston Vale line from Bletchley to Bedford. The existing Cherwell Valley line will form a link to the Great Western Main Line at Didcot Parkway railway station . Passenger services to Milton Keynes Central (via

867-402: The "Regional Rail" option (the best commercial case) and the "Local Rail" option (as identified by the requirements mainly of local authorities and business interests). As part of existing upgrades , a new bay platform has been provided at Milton Keynes Central, which will be able to receive the local services. The infrastructure between Oxford and Bletchley required by both options is essentially

918-527: The "mini-budget", is one of the two statements HM Treasury makes each year to Parliament upon publication of economic forecasts, the second being the Autumn Statement presented later in the year. At 2016's autumn statement, it was announced the budget would move to the autumn, with a spring statement taking place the following year. Both usually involve speeches in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of

969-521: The 2011 Autumn Statement by Chancellor George Osborne , the East West railway between Oxford , Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Bedford was approved and funded, with £270   million committed to the scheme. A new station was to open at Winslow and a high-level station built at Bletchley . The Bicester Village to Bletchley and the Aylesbury to Claydon Junction sections were to be upgraded or built to

1020-554: The Aylesbury spur which would bring further economic and strategic advantages to the sub- region. Capital cost for the base case is between £100m - £135m. The base case and the Aylesbury options should be further considered in the next phase of work. In April 2008, the DfT responded to an e-petition for support on East West Rail by reiterating that they would encourage private funding. In the 2011 Autumn Statement by Chancellor George Osborne ,

1071-726: The Aylesbury–Calvert line if also provided, would be 90 mph (140 km/h) single-track working. A new high-level platform would be provided at Bletchley, with new stations (under the Local option only) at Winslow and Newton Longville . The Planning Inspectorate 's report to the Minister for Transport, in support of the (presumed) final Transport and Works Act Order (January 2020), has firmed up on these principles. The platforms at Aylesbury Vale Parkway, Bletchley High Level and Winslow are to be specified as suitable for trains no longer than four cars. The section between Oxford and Bletchley

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1122-644: The Bicester-Bletchley segment. The Public Enquiry ended on 1 May 2019. A DfT/EWR report that considers the strategic and economic cases for the Western Section Phase 2 project was published on 7 December 2018. In July 2019, the EWR Company announced that it will be issuing Invitations to Tender for rolling stock 'later this year', possibly as early as August. Main line (railway) For capacity reasons, main lines in many countries have at least

1173-595: The Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford corridor. The letter made reference to the East West Rail Link, raising the possibility of further development of the line in the future. In May 2016, the Department for Transport revealed that it 'is considering a new franchise to operate services on the east-west rail link' and that 'development of the proposed franchise will start in 2018 (including a competition period)'. By August 2016, it became clear that Network Rail considers

1224-615: The DfT made the Transport and Works Act Order for the Bicester–Bletchley and Aylesbury–Claydon sections. The Planning Inspectorate 's report had indicated that the scheme was fully funded, as confirmed by a DfT letter dated 9 February 2018, with a budget for this phase of £1,084,726,000, consisting of £150.095   million in Control Period 5 (2014–2019) (sic) and £934.631   million in Control Period 6 (2019–2024) but that, if

1275-602: The East West railway between Oxford , Aylesbury Vale Parkway and Bedford was adopted by the Department for Transport, and £270   million was committed to the scheme to fund its development. This was confirmed in July 2012 when the Secretary of State for Transport, Justine Greening , announced that the Western section of East West Rail (EWR) would be part of the government's strategy for rail transport. The western section will link Oxford and Bedford via Bletchley, with connections to

1326-569: The Exchequer . The Spring Statement for 2019 took place in March 2019. In 2020 the spring statement was upgraded to a full budget following cancellation of autumn 2019's budget. and additional statements were made in summer and autumn 2020 . In 2021 the spring statement was also replaced by a full budget . The duty to publish two annual economic forecasts was created by the Industry Act 1975 , with

1377-586: The Milton Keynes Partnership, Chiltern Railways and the consortium formally agreed to take their proposals forward together. Chiltern Railways would take the lead on the upgrading of the Oxford-Bicester section with its Project Evergreen 3 and the Milton Keynes Partnership would lead for the rest of the line to Bletchley. In December 2008, the commissioning of a further report, to take the project forward to GRIP Stage 4 (single option selection),

1428-497: The Order was not made in 2019, delays of 6 to 12 months could be expected with an impact on its integration with HS2 and a resulting significant increase in costs which had not been allowed for in that funding. In February 2008, the consortium published a business case for re-opening the western section of the route funded by Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP), South East England Regional Assembly , South East England Development Agency and

1479-450: The PBR was intended to "encourage debate on the proposals under consideration for the Budget". The PBR included a report on progress since the Budget, an update on the state of the national economy and the Government's finances, and announcements of proposed new tax measures and consultation papers. Conservative Chancellor George Osborne replaced the PBR and its policy announcements in 2010 with

1530-506: The Transport Secretary announced his decision to privatise the line. A new entity will be responsible for track and infrastructure, as well as operating train services, which, he believes, will deliver an Oxford–Cambridge service at an earlier date than is realistic for an overcommitted Network Rail. In July 2017, Network Rail began a public consultation on the details of its proposals for the Bicester–Bedford section. In August 2017,

1581-521: The WCML) and Aylesbury (via the existing freight line from Claydon Junction ) were also planned. The first part of this work, doubling the Oxford–Bicester line and connecting it to the Chiltern Main Line, was largely completed in 2015 (and fully operational from December 2016); the remaining work from Bicester to Bedford was greatly delayed, and was scheduled for completion by 2030. On 3 February 2020,

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1632-533: The announcement of spending with the Budget, merging tax and spending announcements. Doing so moved the Budget to November. To fulfill the legal obligation to make two statements, Clarke began the practice of making a Summer Statement focusing on economic growth forecasts. Unlike the Autumn Statements preceding them and the Pre-Budget Reports that replaced them, Summer Statements took the form of debate on

1683-434: The consortium. In March 2008, a £2   million engineering survey of the existing and removed tracks was launched, and those undertaking the engineering survey stated that a 100 mph (160 km/h) link between Oxford and Bletchley could be achieved for around £190   million. If construction had started in 2009 as they then hoped, the upgraded / re-opened line could have been in service by 2012. In November 2008,

1734-535: The crossing near Bow Brickhill (Brickhill Street in Milton Keynes to the A5 ) will be replaced with a bridge. In May 2014, Network Rail announced that the line will be opened to 125 mph (200 km/h) running, the current top speed for InterCity services. It is proposed that CrossCountry services, along with Chiltern Railways and London Northwestern Railway services will use the route. In July 2015, Sir Peter Hendy

1785-684: The direction of the main line by default. Failure to do so has been a factor in several fatal railway accidents , for example the Buttevant Rail Disaster in Ireland, and the Graniteville train crash in the US. This rail-transport related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Autumn Statement The Spring Statement of the British Government , also known as

1836-493: The efforts of the group. In April 2006, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister reported itself to be in favour of the principle of re-opening the link between Bedford and Oxford. In May 2006, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced specific plans for Bletchley railway station . The document stated that "it is likely" that Bletchley area renewals and network simplification will take place "by 2010", "to include

1887-534: The first such publication occurring in December 1976. The first Autumn Statement combined the announcement of this publication with any announced changes to national insurance contributions and the Government's announcement of its spending plans (and publication of the Red Book) , both of which were also made at approximately the same time in the parliamentary year. In 1993, Conservative Chancellor Kenneth Clarke combined

1938-448: The junction with the Chiltern Main Line, has been operational since December 2016. On 5 February 2020, the Department for Transport made the Transport and Works Act Order for Phase 2 of the western section. In April 2020, engineering work began on the route of the Bicester–Bletchley segment. Trackwork was completed in early 2024; testing is in progress. The eastern section, Bedford to Cambridge and Western improvements are categorised as

1989-519: The new link, commencing with the Oxford to Bicester stretch, with a contract value of £87   million, but later that month Network Rail stated that there would be a delay in the completion of the line by two years until 2019. Early in April 2014, Network Rail acknowledged that the busy level crossing in Milton Keynes between Woburn Sands and Wavendon is presenting "a headache". The report goes on to say that

2040-563: The project but also for electrification of the Oxford to Bedford part of the route. EWR will provide an electric link between the electrified Great Western, West Coast and Midland main lines. This further investment in the project upgrades it to form a key part of the new ‘ Electric Spine ’ passenger and freight route between the South Coast, the East Midlands and Yorkshire". On 10 January 2013, Network Rail announced its intention to construct

2091-598: The project to be 'no longer the third most important project in the country' (after HS2 and Crossrail ) and that delivery of the core of the Western Section (Oxford to Bedford via Bletchley) might slip beyond 2024, with the connection to Aylesbury due even later. Councillor Rodney Rose, chair of the East West Rail Consortium suggested that the main causes of the delay include delays arising from rail electrification difficulties and fiscal uncertainty arising from

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2142-515: The project. The chair of the East West Rail joint delivery board, Councillor Janet Blake presented a letter to Transport Minister Philip Hammond , confirming the financial commitment from the Board. From 1 February 2014, Network Rail began clearing vegetation that had grown over the abandoned track. In March 2014, Carillion and Buckingham Group announced that they were to undertake construction of

2193-492: The project: Section 3 also states that there is some uncertainty over various parties' requirements for the existing Bletchley-Bedford railway. Infrastructural assessment investigations would be taken forward in parallel with this work funded by £2   million of contribution, half directly by the Department for Communities and Local Government and the other half in varying proportions from various local authorities' Growth Area Funding allocation. Work to clear vegetation from

2244-556: The redundant section of line for the infrastructure assessment started in January 2009. In January 2021, East West Railway Company revised the phasing of the project, with delivery to be in three ‘connection stages’: Oxford – Milton Keynes; Oxford – Bedford; Oxford – Cambridge, and plans for the Aylesbury branch to be reviewed. In May 2023, the EWR Company announced that the Aylesbury branch was not being funded. The February 2008 report identified two options defined from different perspectives,

2295-481: The route: these could limit capacity for through regional trains. He acknowledged that this proposal could be expensive but suggested the private sector could help fund it. He also suggested then that the Western Section could be completed by 2022, ahead of the planned 2024 opening date. On 27 July 2018, Network Rail submitted a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport for

2346-474: The same. The spur from Calvert to Aylesbury is only included in the Local option, though about 20% of southern part of the route has already been reinstated under the Aylesbury Vale Parkway project. The line from north of Wolvercote Tunnel (just north of Oxford) through Bicester to Bletchley would be enabled for 100 mph (160 km/h) double-track running. The Oxford–Wolvercote Tunnel section, and

2397-568: The table that lists in detail the revised work programme, the route is shown as one of the "Projects with significant delivery in CP5 and completion in CP6". (CP5 is 2014–2019; CP6 is 2019–2024.) As part of the Budget of March 2016, the Chancellor, George Osborne , wrote to the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) to ask them to develop proposals for unlocking growth, housing and jobs in

2448-453: The western section between Bedford and Oxford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, as part of their five-year strategic business plan (2014–2019). The target date for train services to be operational on this section was December 2017. Electrification of the line between Oxford and Bedford was also included in the budget and target completion date was March 2017. In November 2013, the East West Rail Consortium pledged an additional £45   million to

2499-416: The western section by 2024 via a new company, the East West Railway Company, which was established in December 2017. In December 2017, the Transport Secretary announced the establishment of a new East West Railway Company which will oversee the establishment of both the Western & Central Sections of East West Rail Link. The budget in November 2017 announced the completion of the central section by 2030 and

2550-471: Was announced. This was to encompass work to analyse the additional requirements (as outlined above), not previously considered in detail, to GRIP Stage 3 equivalent, as well as revisiting the future requirements for the existing Bletchley-Bedford line. According to section 3 of the October 2008 progress report, during 2008 a number of proposals from other parties emerged which might have a significant impact on

2601-504: Was appointed chairman of Network Rail "and asked by the Secretary of State to conduct a thorough review of the enhancement programme in England and Wales to see what can be delivered in an affordable and timely way within the funding period to 2019 ". The report states "During CP5 development work will continue into the full re-opening of the route between Bicester and Bletchley [...] and delivery will be started as soon as possible". However, in

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