East West Rail Backed by Party Leaders
As Liberal Democrat Leader Wendy Rider joined the Cross Party Consensus on a Route Via Bedford Station. All groups on the Council supported the Council's case for a route via Bedford station, with all group leaders putting their names to a joint statement in a Council leaflet which was produced to explain the case for east-west rail to directly serve Bedford.
Photo shows Cllr Rider (Lib Dem) Mayor Dave, Cllr Oliver (Labour) and Cllr Moon (Conservative)
East West Rail
Route 1 Best for Brickhill
East West Railway Company have produced options as part of Route E. The most advantageous route alignment for Brickhill is along Route 1 which takes the railway north away from residential areas of Brickhill which Charles and Wendy have always stated as the desired outcome. Since this would take the railway north of our woodland and country park we will seek an extension of the country park and improved access to the countryside through footpaths and bridleways. Early tree planting and use of landscaping will also be important to mitigate noise and we want a commitment from EWR Co for the line to be electrified from the outset.
Thank you to everybody who signed our petition for Route 1 which takes the railway north away Brickhill urban area.
You can read our submission to East West Rail Consultation here
You can download our more comprehensive fact sheet here
Statement by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps MP
EWR Co's Preferred Route Option Report, detailing why the Government and EWR Co chose the preferred route
If you want to separate the facts form the myths about East West Rail check out
www.bedfordlibdems.org.uk/ewrail
Analysis has shown that this fast 100mph railway would give Bedford Borough a multi· million pound economic boost.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said
"I have always made local jobs and a thriving local economy a top priority. That is why we want to see this new railway linking Bedford with the thriving economies of both Oxford and Cambridge. just think how many places would be overjoyed to get a link with just one or these! This will be a once in a generation investment by the government that will bring this job-creating connectivity to our Borough."
It is important to recognise that other routes have been rejected by the government as the process has progressed over many, many years. Using the old closed route. did not even make the EastWest Rail's 2019 shortlist of 5 corridors. lt would mean crossing Cardington Road near the roundabout and going through Priory Country Park and Danish Camp. Routes via Wixams would need the demolition of at least 150 homes according to newly released Network Rail reports.
You can have your say on the East West Railway Company consultation until 9 June at www.eastwestrail.co.uk
East West Rail, supported by the government, has categorically stated that Route E (the general route corridor to the north of Bedford) has been chosen. Despite this, Brickhill Parish Council has Inexplicably opted to support northern villages in a King Canvte approach of trying to turn back time and oppose the whole wide route corridor rather than concentrating on fighting for the best route alignment option for Brickhill residents! However. some of lhese parishes. such as Wilden Parish Council have now opted for Roule 9 over Route 1 which would put the line closer to Brickhill. We must oppose Route 9 so please support us in Putting Brickhill First by supporting Route 1.
We encourage everyone to watch this video presentation from the council that focuses on the railway in relation to Bedford Borough
Councillors change their tune !
What kind of councillors do you want? Do you want us to speak honestly and keep our promises or do you want us to do what many politicians do and tell whichever group we are speaking to what they want to hear?
East West Rail Co's consultation on route options coincided with the 2019 Mayoral election, and this story published at the time on the Bedford Independent quotes Mayoral Candidates and MPs across different parties giving their support to a route via Bedford - 'Political Leaders agree - "East West rail must go through Midland Road Station"
At a Full Council meeting on 24th February 2021 a cross party vote, with support from Conservative, Green, Independent, Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors, approved Councillor Michael Headley's motion which reiterated Bedford Borough Council's longstanding support for an East West Rail route serving Bedford. More details including the full text of the motion are available here.
