Stop the Arc calls on chancellor to cancel final stages of East West Rail
We’ve sent a letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves calling for the cancellation of the remaining East West Rail stages.
In August, the Chancellor announced the launch of a multi-year spending review. We argue in our letter that cancelling the remaining two stages of East West Rail could save the government an estimated £8bn.
STARC letter to Chancellor Rachel Reeves
But our reasons are not just financial. The letter identifies other damaging aspects of East West Rail, including:
The pressure on healthcare services from population increase.
Lack of sustainable water supply.
Embedded carbon from construction of the rail line and associated houses.
The car-dependent housing needed by rural stations.
East West Rail involves the following connection stages (CS):
CS1 includes the upgrade of the existing railway line from Oxford to Bicester. This section was completed and has been in service since 2016. CS1 also involves the construction of a section of railway between Bicester and Bletchley. Passenger services are expected in 2025.
CS2 - Still in planning. An upgrade of the line between Bletchley and Bedford. Also called the Marston Vale Line.
CS3 – Still in planning. A new line connecting Bedford and Cambridge.