Chiltern Railways, a UK rail operator, is set to run services for the first phase of the new East West Rail link, a major infrastructure project aimed at connecting Oxford to Cambridge.
The initial phase of the line, expected to begin operation later this year, will link Oxford with Milton Keynes. The service is planned to extend to Bedford by 2030 and reach Cambridge in the mid-2030s, according to the UK’s Department for Transport.
The Oxford-Milton Keynes connection will serve six stations, including a new station in Winslow, which will reintroduce rail service to the town for the first time since the 1960s. Other stations include Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, and Bletchley.
David Hughes, CEO of East West Railway Company, called this milestone a significant achievement. He emphasized that the new rail service will provide much-needed connections between the cities of Oxford and Milton Keynes, benefiting both commuters and leisure travelers.
“This marks the first step in the East West Rail project, which will eventually extend services to Bedford and Cambridge, boosting regional connectivity and driving economic growth,” Hughes said.
The next phase of the project, named ‘Connection Stage Two,’ will involve upgrades to the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford. This will establish an hourly Oxford to Bedford service by 2030.
The final phase will extend the link to Cambridge, passing through Tempsford, Cambourne, and Cambridge South. The East West Rail link is expected to enhance travel connections between East Anglia, central, southern, and western England.
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