East West Rail Company has announced a 10-week public consultation on its hybrid battery-electric railway plans, aiming to connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge with a sustainable transit solution.
East West Rail Company (EWR Co) has unveiled plans to electrify its new railway line connecting Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, aiming to create a more sustainable transit option for the region. The company is launching a 10-week public consultation on 14 November 2024, which will continue until 24 January 2025, inviting residents along the proposed route to review and comment on the latest design proposals.
EWR Co has confirmed its preference for a hybrid battery-electric model with “discontinuous electrification,” which would install overhead lines along only specific segments of the route. This approach, which gained government backing following the Chancellor’s recent budget announcement, is anticipated to lower both project costs and environmental disruption. By reducing the need for extensive infrastructure, this model minimises visual impact, potentially preserving more of the natural landscape while supporting reduced carbon emissions.
East West Rail Company announces public consultation on electrification plans