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Written question asked by Lord Patten (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 February 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 25 February 2021. It was answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Conservative) on Monday, 22 February 2021 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

East West Rail Line

Question

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is the estimated cost of completing the Cambridge to Oxford direct rail link.

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
HL13323
Session
2019-21
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Costs East West Rail line
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk