East - West Rail update (Oxford to Bedford) - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[ray951]

Apparently the section to Bedford mentioned in yesterday's budget https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68491452

I am not convinced that £240m is enough to actually do all the required work, and would like to see more detail about the funding, but it does say that trains will be running from Oxford to Bedford by 2030

[Noggin]

Apparently the section to Bedford mentioned in yesterday's budget https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-68491452

I am not convinced that £240m is enough to actually do all the required work, and would like to see more detail about the funding, but it does say that trains will be running from Oxford to Bedford by 2030

I think the £240m is money towards works rather than the full scope.

If I understand correctly, it's been descoped considerably since the 2021 consultation and it's now more of an upgrade of the Marston Vale line than the complete rebuild that was foreseen. Piecemeal track replacement and a single length of redoubling, a sub-100mph line speed (which means the level crossings can stay) giving 3tph and rebuilt Bedford St John's station.

My guess is that they will crack on with the Marston Vale line, but leave the redevelopment of Bedford Station for now. Given that Cambridge South is costing £180m, it must be in the same ballpark, with the various CPOs around the station and to the north inevitably controversial, whereas the existing line is more along the lines of "permitted development"