East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has revealed that more than 3,100 people attended consultation events and over 5,000 feedback forms were submitted during its latest route-wide consultation on the East West Rail project.
The consultation, which ran from 14 April to 9 June 2026, invited communities across the proposed route to review updated plans for the railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge and provide feedback ahead of the project’s next major planning milestone.
Strong public engagement across multiple channels
A total of 16 consultation events, held both in person and online, gave residents, businesses and stakeholders the opportunity to examine the latest designs, view route section animations and discuss proposals directly with members of the EWR Co team.
The consultation generated significant engagement across digital and in-person platforms, including:
- More than 3,100 attendees at consultation events
- More than 5,000 feedback forms submitted
- Over 47,000 views of consultation webpages
- More than 6,300 views of the interactive route map
- More than 1,200 visits to the virtual consultation room
- More than 9 million Facebook page views
- Over 3 million Instagram views
- More than 3 million YouTube views
In addition to the consultation events, EWR Co hosted three online webinars, allowing participants to ask questions and learn more about the latest proposals.
Updated plans include increased capacity
Among the key changes presented during the consultation were proposals to accelerate the construction programme, enabling communities to benefit from the railway sooner than previously planned.
The updated designs also include provision for up to five trains per hour and the introduction of five-car trains instead of four-car trains. EWR Co said the increased capacity reflects growing demand forecasts, including anticipated passenger growth associated with the planned Universal resort development.
Feedback to help shape final design
EWR Co says all responses received during the consultation will be carefully considered as it refines the railway’s design ahead of submitting a Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2027.
David Hughes, CEO of EWR Co, thanked those who took part in the consultation process.
“I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to attend our consultation events, join our webinars, explore the information online and share their views with us – we really value the time and thought people have put into their feedback to help us shape the future of East West Rail.
“This consultation was an important opportunity to share our latest designs, including proposals to accelerate construction and increase train capacity, and to hear directly from communities about what matters most to them.”
Highlighting the wider benefits of the scheme, he added that East West Rail would help deliver faster journeys, improve connectivity, reduce congestion, support housing growth, create employment opportunities and contribute to long-term economic development across the region.
A once-in-a-generation rail project
The East West Rail project is designed to create a direct railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, improving connections between some of the UK’s leading centres for science, technology, innovation and education.
The scheme aims to provide faster and more reliable journeys, reduce pressure on local roads and support sustainable economic growth across the region. By improving connectivity between communities, employment hubs and educational institutions, the railway is expected to unlock new opportunities for residents and businesses alike.
East West Rail is being delivered in phases. The first stage, connecting Oxford with Bicester and extending infrastructure towards Bletchley, was developed through a partnership between Network Rail and East West Railway Company. Passenger services on this section are expected to begin as soon as possible under the operation of Chiltern Railways.
The next phase of the project will involve constructing a new railway between Bedford and Cambridge, alongside upgrades and refurbishment works on existing infrastructure between Oxford and Bedford. East West Railway Company is preparing to submit a Development Consent Order (DCO) application in 2027 seeking approval to build and operate these works.
About East West Railway Company
Established by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2017, East West Railway Company is responsible for delivering the East West Rail project.
The organisation’s vision is to unlock the full economic and social potential of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, a region recognised as a major centre for life sciences, technology and innovation. By improving transport links, East West Rail is expected to support job creation, business growth, town centre regeneration, investment and the delivery of new homes, while helping maintain the UK’s international competitiveness.
Next steps
A summary report outlining the key themes raised during the consultation is expected to be published in the autumn.
The findings will help shape the final design of the railway ahead of the submission of a Development Consent Order application in 2027, bringing the transformative East West Rail project another step closer to reality.
