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East West Rail Line

Answer

The full East West Rail (EWR) scheme (Oxford to Cambridge) is planned to be delivered, and operational for passenger and freight services, by the end of the decade. We are currently working hard with the East West Railway Company and Network Rail to develop the right future service patterns for the scheme. This will help ensure that EWR objectives are achieved and provide the best possible connectivity for the communities and customers.

Plans, including costs, for the whole scheme are still in development. We will release further details in due course.

Environmental implications and ensuring economic sustainability have been important parts of the decision-making process for the EWR scheme.

• A strategic objective of EWR is to provide a sustainable and value for money transport solution to support economic growth in the area. This is to be achieved by improving transport connections within the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, and ensuring the line supports new housing development in the area.
• The EWR scheme aims to become a net-zero carbon railway. It is committed to protecting the environment by finding approaches to delivery that avoid, minimise or mitigate negative environmental impacts. As part of this, for example, the East West Railway Company has committed to delivering biodiversity net gain in the area.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL13322

Session

2019-21

Grouped for answer

Yes

Subjects

East West Rail line

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk