East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has announced details of its last route-wide consultation on the latest designs for the project which will link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.
The eight-week consultation will run from 14 April to 9 June 2026, offering communities along the route a vital opportunity to have their say on the latest plans and help shape the final design of the railway before a Development Consent Order is submitted in 2027.
The consultation will provide latest designs and information on East West Rail, including:
- New visualisation images of stations and fly-through animations of route sections.
- More details on a phased construction period to deliver parts of the project earlier so that communities feel the benefits sooner.
- New stations/upgrades to existing stations.
- Proposed service patterns and carriage lengths to meet the demand for Universal theme park.
- Level crossings.
- Discontinuous electrification with hybrid electric/battery trains to support net zero goals.
- Reducing environmental impacts and a commitment to biodiversity net gain.
A series of public drop-in events are being held across the route to provide opportunities to talk with experts from EWR Co to find out more about the updated proposals, ask questions and submit feedback.
These include some weekend dates and online events, to widen opportunities for people to attend. A Virtual Consultation Room will also be available, where all the information shown at the public events can be accessed online in a virtual room.
For those unable to attend in person, all consultation materials will be available online, with multiple ways to provide feedback.
While this is the last route-wide consultation, EWR Co will be continuing to engage with communities as the design is finalised ahead of DCO submission.
David Hughes, CEO at EWR Co, said: “This consultation marks a major milestone for East West Rail as we move closer to delivering a once-in-a-generation project that will transform connectivity across the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor. East West Rail is about far more than a new railway — it’s about unlocking opportunities for people and places, supporting new homes and jobs, and making it easier, faster and greener to travel between some of the UK’s most dynamic destinations.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback to shape these latest designs, which include plans to deliver benefits earlier through phased construction, improve accessibility, and support our net zero ambitions through innovative, lower-carbon technology.
“I’d strongly encourage everyone along the route to take part in our last consultation. Your views are vital in helping us refine our plans and ensure East West Rail delivers lasting benefits for communities, businesses and the wider region for generations to come.”
Image credit: East West Rail
