1. Potentially good 'news' at face value. Unsure how the money will be spent? 6-tracks to MK Central would be prudent and extend to Northampton as well surely?
2. I do hope our MP's Messers Yasin and Fuller along with our Elected Mayor will blast and make representation for Bedford to be included from day one of Oxford-Milton Keynes Passenger and freight services, not left awaiting another 6 years when Bedford-Bletchley is a fully operational railway and has spare capacity.
3. Sorting Bedford Midland out is required, and BRTA has called for the map and design for many years. Now is wake-up time, we have 6 years for a full-monty capacity enhancement and rejig of a station which can last another 50 years.
4. BRTA calls for twin bays making the train drivers mess an island as it was when the old Bedford Midland Station was in situ. Road access needs amending and maybe a one-way in or sharing with Postal Sorting Office and exit out via Commercial Road stub for NR purposes, may be a negotiated solution?
5. BRTA had a useful meeting today and is growing. But we need more public engagement with us. Many thousands responded to the consultation and support the East-West Rail idea Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge etc; but routing east of Bedford needs resolution and practicability considerations sorted, our route is a feasible option and physical rail links at Tempsford optimises reach and range and market capability. Fail there, and you blight the commercial potential of the new line.
6. Development sprawl will mean land loss and that hems in the scope for future rail amendments without more residential pain.
7. The BRTA stall is on at Bedford Midland next Wednesday (18th) all welcome and our East-West Page makes our focus clear. I am willing to welcome any support for BRTA and work with anyone to get it fairly included. The railway must be fit for passenger and freight considerations from day one. Please see: https://brtarail.com/
Meanwhile people have commented at our meeting what a disgrace Platform 6 is at Bletchley without lifts/Disabled access. Will £2.5 billion address that or must we wait until 2031 for the next spending round?! BRTA and predecessors have been raising Bedford-Bletchley issues for years.
BRTA calls for a switch from new and upgraded roads spending to a nationwide programme of local, year-on-year rail reopenings and rebuilds to give modal choice, lower harmful emissions, congestion, save land and enhance regeneration and sustainable growth putting people, places and the environment at the heart of government priorities, policy and resource use. Please give us your support.
Email your local MP in support of BRTA's calls: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1 and join BRTA: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/
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