East-West Rail Link, East of Bedford conundrum

19-08-2022

ERTA has put an alternative rail route to Northern Route E for a rail link between Bedford-Oxford corridor and both the East Coast Main Line (ECML) in the Tempsford area with physical linkage and East Anglia via a new-build cross-country rail link to connect with radial rails at the Ely area for Norwich, Ipswich/Felixstowe and Cambridge/Stansted direct. Action and support in principle and plans are needed now to ensure land is saved for it to be done and a push from Government to be done. Government finds money for road building, but rail is stalling and told no money! https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/green-light-given-new-10-24803114 The irony is not lost on us and the protection of land and environment with what rail could offer to cut emissions and congestion now and medium term, should not be lost on us. Roads only upgrades are a false economy as traffic builds to fill new capacity resulting in a worsening situation which folly then thinks 'we need more roads' and so self-perpetuates. Time and resources are running out, we do need the rail alternative fast.

The attached diagrams (below) can be used when discussing east-west rail links to show a quicker, cheaper and faster option than that of the ill-fated Northern Route E. 

It is not perfect but gives enough of a flavour to show how our option could be done. Key is to support the principle, gather a coalition, push for what you want in unity. Route E is flawed and with freight and extra longer trains, bays, platforms and track access will need reform at Bedford Midland in any case. 

That we have yet to see a diagram or plan for that station reform, shows how daft and synthetic the whole consultation process has been. I'm happy to discuss and explore with any other agent beit Borough, EWRCo, DfT or whosoever. 

Problems need to be overcome, but unity around a focus which does not demand housing be knocked down, surely has the credentials which deserve special dispensations to enable the rail link to take place. Lose this window of opportunity, block it or make it harder and Bedford stands to lose out big time. But we must get it right. It needs support now. Rt Hon Grant Shapps could come down on our side and usher the parties to work it up, list what is required and then consult giving people this alternative option. 

On Tempsford and getting that right, north of Stevenage, East Bedfordshire, south of Peterborough and the arm from north-east for south of Huntingdon-Cambourne, Addenbrookes and Cambridge arm would be a public transport boost. But a new railway from the ECML to Ely for links to Cambridge, Stansted, Norwich, Kings Lynn and Ipswich via Soham also needs to be considered. If the Cambridge arm did passengers and this new link regional passenger and freight, that could free up capacity and help solve the Cambridge conundrum more.

Unless we protect these routes and endeavour to deliver now, 10 years of pontification will mean no east-west rail centred on Bedford.

We need optimal railway connectivity, physical links at Tempsford, north or south of Station Road. That is why there's an urgent need to turn the ship around now and get behind this shorter strategic rail idea. Important as Cambridge is, it was always like Sandy, a nodal point of reference; whereas getting this rail network right, informs the whole of East Anglia to the Oxford rail corridor via the prism of the Bedford area.

Whatever you do, it will cost, but they found the money and support for dualling the A421, upgrading other east-west roads and congestion blight is a very real issue from social, economic and environmental/public health points of view. Business as usual is not an option. Media seems partisan and makes its excuses, whereas 1980's media suggested roads and bypasses would reduce congestion, alas, pure fantasy!

re: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/east-west-rail-branded-unachievable-by-ipa-25-07-2022/

This is a sign the system whilst checking and balancing, is not working at the design-delivery stage. Wrong design in fundamentally flawed 2019 Consultation has worked out to raise many objections. The original route which the former East West Rail Consortium supported for over 20 years, was abruptly junked.

However ERTA believe that Bedford St John's to the Willington area could be rebuilt on the original route/trackbed and be much easier with no demolition of houses required. Likewise, new build to Tempsford as Sandy is obliterated land-wise, could be done much easier than via the flawed Northern Route E.

The fact this article does not name the responsible Civil Servant and no-one else does, means lay people don't know who to contact to make their views known except focused representatives in-the-know. Personally, I wish the DfT would ring me and discuss the relevant issues to find constructive common ground and look at maps together and come up with a revised Bedford-ECML link and then Phase 2, Tempsford area to Cambridge and/or new link across to Ely for Greater East Anglia and portal links for example. From Ely trains can head south for Cambridge and Stansted as well as go onto Norwich and Ipswich via Soham.

If we dither 10 years, development blight blocks these options as per the old route at various places Sandy-Cambridge.

Please give us your support:

1. Encourage those involved to listen and work with Richard Pill, Campaigns Coordinator of ERTA, who's been on the case for 35 years!

2. Write to your local MP and those involved and lend support to the ERTA views.

3. Make a donation to ERTA to help us with our work and associated costs: https://ertarail.co.uk/ Any problems making a payment to ERTA of whatever kind, please let our Treasurer Colin Crawford know: 

Mobile 07836-693977

E: colin.crawford1@btconnect.com

We are doing all we can, but need David A. Devenish, Cllr Michael Headley, Mayor Dave of Bedford, Bedford Borough Council, East-West Rail Company, Department for Transport and others, to be willing to meet with Richard, sit down, look at maps, discuss issues and find solutions and re-consult again. Thanks very much.