East West Rail to be re-baselined by government

The government will re-baseline the second and third stages of East West Rail, according to the annual report of the government’s infrastructure planning and delivery department.

The annual report, produced by the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA), states that the last two connection stages (CS) of the project are still in the concept and design stage. The re-baseline will refine delivery options and the project’s scope. It will also agree a ‘funding profile’ with the Treasury.

East West Rail will connect Oxford to Cambridge in three connection stages (CS):

CS1 involves the construction of a section of railway between Bicester and Bletchley. Passenger services are expected in 2025.

CS2 is an upgrade of the line between Bletchley and Bedford, also called the Marston Vale Line.

CS3 is a new line connecting Bedford and Cambridge.

According to the NISTA’s annual report, CS2 and CS3 have an amber status. NISTA defines the amber status as:

‘Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist, requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun.’

East West Rail is projected to cost £4-7bn, according to the report, with a project end date of October 2030.