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East West Rail Phase 2

Oxford to Bedford and Milton Keynes

VolkerRail, as part of the East West Rail Alliance with Network Rail, Atkins and Laing O’Rourke, has been awarded stage 1 of the East West Rail project.

East West Rail is a major railway project. It aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for communities between Oxford and Cambridge by:

 Services will be introduced in three connection stages, the East West Rail Alliance, is completing stage one.

Oxford to Bletchley: Connection Stage 1

Following confirmation of funding in the 2020 Spending Review, the East West Rail Alliance is now starting construction of the section between Bicester and Bletchley. This will allow us to run trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes by 2025 (Connection Stage 1).

Delivering a reliable service for passengers is our top priority, and we are working with government to deliver the full Oxford-Milton Keynes connection from day one. We may though need to introduce the service to Bletchley first, and then extend to Milton Keynes as soon as we are satisfied it will be reliable for our customers.

Upgrades to Bletchley station have already begun, and a brand-new station will be built for communities at Winslow.

We are also working on a costed plan to run a reliable service from Aylesbury, so we can make the best possible case for Government to confirm that upgrade too.

Construction is underway from Bicester to Bletchley

The East West Rail Alliance engineers are currently constructing the section of East West Rail from Bicester to Bletchley. This includes:

  • Constructing and restoring structures, including a new station at Winslow, new high-level platforms at Bletchley station, refurbishments, reconstruction and general repairs to existing infrastructure. This includes refurbishment of the Bletchley Flyover.
  • Making railway crossings safer by replacing structures and diverting or closing highway, foot and field crossings
  • Upgrading track, including doubling track and upgrading infrastructure from Bicester to Bletchley
  • Installing new and upgraded signalling and cabling
  • Clearing overgrown vegetation, including removing overgrown vegetation predominantly along the railway corridor

For more information, visit https://eastwestrail.co.uk/

"Restoring railways helps put communities back on the map and this investment forms part of our nationwide effort to build back vital connections and unlock access to jobs, education and housing. Returning these routes to their former glory, and progressing work to reopen even more lines and stations, shows our commitment to levelling up journeys across the country as we build back better from the pandemic"

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps

Facts and figures

Learn more about this project?

Contact Marketing@volkerrail.co.uk »

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