Press Release 07-08-2026 Northampton-Bedford rail link Must Not Be Left Behind as Minister Rules Out Direct East West Rail Services!

 Press Release 07-08-2026

Northampton-Bedford rail link  Must Not Be Left Behind as Minister Rules Out Direct East West Rail Services!

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has revealed that direct East West Rail services to Northampton are "not currently planned despite representations made by Northampton South MP Mike Reader.

In a letter from Rail Minister Lord Hendy, released following a Freedom of Information request,
the Government confirms that Northampton passengers will instead be expected to access East West Rail through connections at Milton Keynes Central and Bletchley.
The Minister's response comes as the Government commits £1.3 billion of transport and supporting infrastructure investment linked to the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, a development expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors in its first year when it
opens in 2031. 

The project is also forecast to contribute almost £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.
The BRTA believes that securing direct rail connectivity between Northampton and destinations
served by East West Rail should now become Northamptonshire's number one strategic
transport objective.
Professor Andrew N. Williams, BRTA Northamptonshire Representative, said:
"While Lord Hendy acknowledges the importance of East West Rail, his response fails to answer the fundamental questions raised by Mike Reader MP in the House of Commons.

The letter contains no assessment of the potential demand for direct Northampton services, no analysis of the economic benefits such services could bring, and no explanation of why passengers from one of England's largest towns should be expected to change trains while
major new transport investment is being directed elsewhere.

This represents a once-in-a-century opportunity for Northamptonshire. The Universal United
Kingdom Resort, East West Rail and the wider Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor have the potential to reshape economic activity across the region for decades to come.
Northampton cannot be expected to watch from the platform while billions of pounds of investment pass through neighbouring counties.

Direct connectivity with East West Rail should now be Northamptonshire's foremost transport priority." 
Richard Pill, Chief Executive of the BRTA, added:

"Lord Hendy's letter offers Northampton little reassurance.
Ministers rightly argue that East West Rail is intended to unlock economic growth across the region, yet Northampton currently remains outside plans for direct services.

If the Government is prepared to invest £1.3 billion in transport infrastructure to support the Universal United Kingdom Resort, it is entirely reasonable for Northamptonshire to expect a proper assessment of direct rail connectivity to one of the most significant economic and tourism developments in modern Britain.

The case for direct Northampton services should be evaluated through transparent analysis of
demand, economic benefits and operational feasibility. Decisions of this importance should be
based on evidence, not assumptions.
The people of Northamptonshire will rightly expect all elected representatives, regardless of
party, to work together to secure the county's fair share of the opportunities arising from East West Rail and the Universal United Kingdom Resort."

The BRTA is therefore calling on the Department for Transport, East West Rail Company, local
authorities and Northamptonshire's Members of Parliament to work together to commission and
publish detailed studies into the economic, transport and tourism benefits of direct Northampton
services before future service patterns are finalised.

The Association further believes that Northamptonshire should develop a unified strategy for securing direct access to East West Rail destinations, ensuring that the county is fully connected to the opportunities arising from the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the Universal United Kingdom Resort.

Northamptonshire has a narrow window in which to secure its place within the emerging Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The BRTA believes that failure to examine the case for direct East West Rail services would represent a missed opportunity of historic proportions for the county.

Notes to Editors
 East West Rail will provide a new strategic railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford
and Cambridge.
 The Universal United Kingdom Resort is planned to open in 2031 and is expected to
attract approximately 8.5 million visitors in its first year
 The Government has announced £1.3 billion of transport and supporting infrastructure
investment associated with the Bedfordshire development.
 The project is forecast to contribute almost £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.
The BRTA is an independent voluntary organisation campaigning for improved public transport
and strategic rail development throughout the United Kingdom.

Ends"

Further comment: Professor Andrew N. Williams BRTA Northampton Area Rep 07923 489254 or Richard Pill (BRTA CEO) ceo@brtarail.com

Website: https://brtarail.com/our-campaigns/

Email for letter. ceo@brtarail.com

BRTA Press Release 11-06-2026 Keep radial rail links and stations options 'open' call

re: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/transport-group-backs-call-for-northampton-to-be-included-in-east-west-rail-plans-8756818

BRTA has sown the seeds and rekindled the fire!

Now our leaders must lead and usher in the more complete rail picture.

I wonder what our new Prime Minister will do and who will be the new Transport Secretary or Minister in any reshuffle, let alone the Chancellor!

BRTA must come together and work behind the scenes to be tactful and supportive, ushering our leaders to seize this once and probably last chance saloon.

Please let me have any feedback and if you support our calls, please as ever, email your MP in support of this and similar reopenings across these nations!

https://brtarail.com/b2n/

https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

ceo@brtarail.com

https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/politics/direct-rail-link-between-northampton-and-new-universal-theme-park-near-bedford-is-needed-says-mp-8674135

BRTA Press Release 11-06-2026  Keep radial rail links and stations

options 'open' call

re: Mike Reader MP for Northampton South calls for reopening the

Bedford-Northampton rail link.

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) welcomes Mike Reader

MP's support and lead on the rail link project and his representation

to Lord Hendy the Minister for Rail.

The line was a secondary route and was underplayed from the post war

period to closure, but studies showed in the 21st century, that a

rebuild with select 'new build' would serve a new purpose for both

passenger and freight by rail and would be viable, offering modal

choice not currently available.

BRTA has called for retention of land north of Bromham Bedford, to

enable the rail link to link with Bedford Midland and the emergent

East-West Rail Link (Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge) and that 93 dwellings

can go anywhere, not located on greenbelt off a cul de sac!

We welcome West Northamptonshire Council's interest in reopening local

rail links and would welcome their support for an updated study for a

new Northampton-Bedford rail link. We call for collaboration and

cooperation between all councils, agencies and developments like

Universal Theme Park as better connectivity and modal choices by rail

enables less side-effects of mega traffic flows on the roads, reduced

congestion if rail can help deliver the volumes of people sustainably.

It is envisaged a Thameslink style modern electric train can transit

between Northampton and Bedford in about 30 minutes and that would be

competitive by road. It would save land as without the rail link, not

only would a large population like Northampton be disenfranchised, but

also means less parking land would be devoured as a result of

reopening the rail link, giving better access.

BRTA CEO Richard Pill said "Although the 11th hour in route protection

terms at both ends, the robust case and obvious demand for more and

better rail links radial from Bedford and the link with Northampton,

means the government should ensure the viability and engineering of a

new railway can be achieved in the short to medium term. The A428

corridor is growing in piecemeal development terms and these need

tailoring to ensure a viable route can be practically implemented. If

it does, footfall and spending minus the congestion is likely,

boosting businesses and service as well as all ages mobility."

BRTA will continue to follow these positive leads and very much hopes

everyone in positions of power and responsibility will collaborate for

a once in a lifetime opportunity this rail link offers to boost

Bedford and Northampton economies without costing the earth!

Currently there is a 21.5 mile gap in the rail network between Bedford

and Northampton, two main lines, one of which links Brighton, London

and 2 airports with Bedford and another which links Northampton with

Coventry and Birmingham and other radial lines. In short, this

relatively short rail link would, with East-West Rail, inform many

more opportunities on and off the rails.

End of Press Release

Further comment: Richard Pill ceo@brtarail.com  (Bedford) and Professor

Andrew N. Williams 07923 489254 (Northampton)

Could the old sheds at Wolverton Works serve a modern railway and preservation learning purpose?

re: https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2026/06/national-railway-museum-central-hall-project-receives-3m-in-funding.html

There's York, Shildon and Swindon, could Wolverton join the family of rail static display, shelter for heritage clutter rotting and lost for want of TLC, rolling stock repairs capacity and space, college and research library centre and attracting visitors on a nationwide basis to the area, including by rail? If that is your vision, the government finds money for such and with solar panels on the roof, can a team be created to research, apply for funding and put a plan together with professional support and input please?

BRTA is small and has no money. But we support the idea, Wolverton has a proud railway history, Milton Keynes (Bletchley) likewise and former London North Western Railway (LNWR) designs and college courses, skill retention and certification courses could all be under one roof. 

It needs a vision, a team, incremental funding and growth to fullest potential.

The Universal Theme Park, a ride away by rail from Bletchley will attract 55, 000 people per month and create 26, 000 new jobs. So many more are coming to and from and the Railway Centre at Wolverton would complement that and capitalise on such a regional influx of people, service spend and wider area boost?

May I ask your views and maybe meet with Simon and others to explore it further and what can be done now, then and medium term to bring it about/court the government's attention? ceo@brtarail.com

BRTA supports reopening a Gloucester-Hereford rail link via Ross on Wye

 I attach an agenda for our forth-coming forum which is open to all, so all welcome.

BRTA supports calls for a study into the case merits, feasibility and engineering solutions for reopening a Gloucester-Ross-on-Wye-Hereford direct rail link.

Whatever the merits of the past, the rail link offers:

1. Sustainable footfall and spend to the places it would service.

2. Less road traffic, road and bridge wear and tear/maintenance costs and land-use parking demand outsripping supply, land which could be used for more productive things like employment, conservation and social housing for example.

3. Make managing increasing demand and visorship more manageable and accessible for all, not just car-dependency and prince managed.

4. The direct link with Gloucester and Hereford would benefit both places and all in between with new flows of spend and trade, sustaining small-medium businesses and employment.

5. Cut congestion through choice and land-lost to road upgrades and motorway-isation. The spin-offs of road reliance is oil and rubber particle run-offs to rivers and streams, harming wildlife and places for swimming and water extraction.

6. It is likely also, people will recognise that being linked at both ends to a wider nationwide rail network, opens up to increased and dyverse reaches and ranges of audiences to better appreciate what the areas it would serve have to offer all-year-round, not just seasonally.

7. More comprehensive rail links help to offer the potential for more freight by rail, from timber to containers, but rail islaso bursting at the seams trying to get back into smaller goods like parcels and smaller inter-model trainloads as well. How about incentives for Amazon and Royal Mail to send parcels by rail more and a drop-off/collect point at every station? These are just what the environment needs and would boost the public too. See an example: https://www.varamis.co.uk/ We need these models to be made nationwide and re-opening local rail links enables more choice, access and mobility for all alongside innovation with government incentives and encouragement for the environment's sake.

Please give us your support. You can find out more on our website: https://brtarail.com/our-campaigns/

Saturday, 25 July at 2pm lunch and 3-5pm business at The Regal, 33 St Aldate Street, Kings Square, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 1RP (Phone 01452-332344). Convenor Simon Barber: admin@brtarail.com Phone (landline): 020-8940-4399 Phone (mobile): 07522-374740

Agenda

1.              Election of a Chairperson for the meeting

2.              Appointment of a notes/minute taker.

3.  River Severn Estuary Bridge: More capacity by rail is needed for passenger and freight by rail between England and Wales and vice versa.

4.  Gloucester-Ross-Hereford: Bring on the study, but some relocation packages may be needed and engineering solutions found.

5.  Kemble-Cirencester: Cirencester (population: 20, 229 – 2021 Census): Is the route blocked? Is there deviation spaces? Can a new route be sorted? Where would services run from or to?

6.  Stratford – Honeybourne-Cheltenham: Warwickshire not playing ball with road over rail route, but can change prevail, ditton the Cheltenham end running via a new route to link with existing Network Rail Lines?

7.  Cotswold Line (Oxford-Worcester-Hereford): Has a RUG Group already. Is it double track throughout and what of Witney and Carterton getting a new-build rail link?

8.  Bristol Metro: Happening already.

9.  Any Other Business

10.             Date, time and place of next meeting – Hereford?

Notes:

Please check our website: https://brtarail.com/events/

Best ways to support is:

1.  Join BRTA

2.  Join our free email loop via richard.erta@gmail.com

3. Email your MP and get them on board: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

4.  Email your local media in favour of the reopening and state some reasons why. richard.erta@gmail.com

The local-regional queue for rail reopenings, select new-builds and existing pinch point upgrades.

re: https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/politics/council/derbyshire-council-backs-peak-district-railway-plan-despite-fears-for-monsal-trail-8646444

This rail reopening would link East Midlands and North West (Derby and Manchester) and vice versa. That is sustainable footfall, spend and regeneration. It has been a long running campaign which BRTA supported before, during and now going forward too. 

The main driving force is: https://www.peaksanddalesrailway.com/

Please email your MP in support: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

Some may ask why? This railway, like Colne-Skipton: https://www.selrap.org.uk/ has turned a corner whereby they have successfully courted local authority support and a study has been done showing the case to be robust for reopenings. 

These two are candidates along with Witney in Oxfordshire and one or two others for government consideration. 

In Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire we have not been so lucky. Even if you get as far as the Peak Rail Project has to restore the through rail line, objections to possible re-routing of the Monsal Trail to accommodate a railway and government which can turn around as per Witney and say "no money"; means the queue of qualifiers grows, whilst lesser successes are subject to attack of cynical dismissal, no case jibes and other development agendas which are not being made to consider protecting rail corridors let alone including rail to reduce the impact of sprawling developments on the road system, neighbourhoods, pollution and deteriorating public health and environmental effects.

BRTA plays a role and we are growing. But the wider public need to tell politicians that in many cases we want our tracks and trains back and that it makes sense for modal shift planning back from a roads-based economy to rail, or at least a level playing field and a robust rail network for people and goods than we currently have and which these  local-regional reopenings can engender.

The Peak District National Park would be served by this rail artery, cutting encroachments on grass verges and the sheer intrusion on the environment mass motoring and traffic/tourism and over-kill can inform. 

Someone has to clean up and the land used for parking spaces is land which cannot be used for other things like employment, social housing and conservation for example.

The government says it has no money, it is busy renationalising the railways, but privatising the roads it seems? It is prioritising HS2 as 'part of the railway' to the tune of £1 billion per mile and delivery 2039. 

BRTA also notes the government is spending £billions on new and upgraded roads, whilst saying no money for local-regional rail reopenings. It cancelled the Restore Your Railway Fund, specific funding for reopenings, now the agenda is being suffocated amidst many other demands and what would it take for a specific fund for reopenings to be brought back in some shape for form? £500 million for the whole nation is inadequate, but the principle of a specific, targeted fund, is a much needed one to help usher schemes along towards approval.

East-West Rail (Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge) celebrates the 40th anniversary of the launch of a public meeting to get Oxford-Milton Keynes reopened (December 1986), when the tracks just needed upgrading and progressively as more services and freight used it. Alas it was mothballed and allowed to rot, decades demanding continuous studies and under Labour and Tory, not delivery! Now at £billions Bicester-Bletchley is 'open' as a spankingly brand new built railway, but no passenger services. There seems no rush for the Secretary of State for Transport to wade in and try and reach a deal between management and unions. This, unlike the NHS Doctors Striking and Government engaging to try and stop them?! 

The danger is that 'stable government', can also need speeding up, a failure to deliver, can mean drift and paralysis and there are urgent needs including lowering emissions and providing cleaner public transport choices at affordable prices. Whether public or private delivers, the jury may be out, but meanwhile we need a pragmatic system and lead from governments of all tiers to move towards more rail reopenings and reinstatements the length and breadth of Britain. 

It is no use complaining and providing jobs, if the transport is not there at accessible rates, to enable young people to engage. Local rail enables more and reduces the effects of congestion, delays and spiralling costs of wasted time and delusions. The railways were a bedrock of employment on and off the rails and informs skills which can be used in a variety of fields. 

Conductors on trains (formerly Guards) are not a 'waste' they can provide information, sell tickets, ensure the smooth operation of the services provided and act as front-line people to deter problems or raise the alarm when something is awry. richard.erta@gmail.com https://brtarail.com/events/

Please stop developers from building on old railway trackbeds around Bedford and elsewhere!

 re: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/politics/northampton-must-not-be-left-behind-in-east-west-rail-passenger-plans-council-leader-says-8753514 and https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyegxnp0n4o

BRTA supports updating the hitherto studies to make a robust business case, examine the feasibility with new route options and pool together with other interests to move the re-railing project forward towards delivery, which must be the number one goal to keep in mind.

BRTA stands ready to support from behind, the lead of elected people and the government towards delivery of this rail project.

I, Richard Pill, CEO of the British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) stand ready to correspond, input and support leaders for the project and can engage via Zoom or Teams if I am sent a link and notified duly ahead of schedule.

My colleagues at Northampton will I am sure, contribute, follow and support, even though we are at an 11th hour situation whereby development at both ends make reopening and reconnecting harder unless it is stopped, tailored and ensure enough room for a twin track with electrification as part of an extended Thameslink sort of integrated rail operation.

Universal looms large, the links between Bedford and Northampton like around sport and entertainment and that of cutting urban traffic should not be underestimated. 

Prescriptions of people from Northampton going via Bletchley are short sighted, as 1. it takes much longer than the direct railway route, 2. it will cost individuals more in all probability and 3. Northampton-Luton Airport and vice versa, makes sense for a direct link in 55 minutes end-to-end for example, than the 1.5 hours each way via Bletchley and Bedford.

Bedford-Bletchley Railway is secured with Oxford-Bedford operations, Northampton however, if largely left out and needs re-railing to gain the share of all these new developments offer.

A new direct link from the west to the east arcing to Cambridge, should be passively designed now and included in future track layouts. These lines must all be able to handle passenger and freight operations, cutting congestion, pollution, blight, saving land and enhancing everyone's mobility for example. Unless we act now, these opportunities may be compromised.

Please read, engage. Ask questions via richard.erta@gmail.com

See also our excellent website relevant campaigns pages: https://brtarail.com/ewrail/ and https://brtarail.com/b2n/ Please also email your MP and demand government ensures rail infrastructure to serve growing development sprawls, that former rail routes are protected and that they make reopenings easier and more accessible.

https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1

Northampton conflict of interest save our railway corridor!

 re: https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/business/construction-begins-on-217-new-homes-in-busy-residential-road-in-northampton-residents-remain-worried-about-traffic-chaos-5364720

Unless the developers can be pursuaded and the council for that matter to ensure that adequate clearances to enable a modern railway to get through from Castle Station-London Road - Brackmills via the Ransome Road development, then it bring down a curtain on what we wish for. I see a window to play on this with your media outlets and bring home the short sightedness if they do not inform a clear corridor adequate for the railway - a twin-track railway with overhead line electrification (OLE).

Please email your MP and go through the motions, however remote, as the public will want more of a say and concerns are raised on traffic impact already.

Meanwhile, it would cut Brackmills off from ever being re-railed and that is to their commercial disadvantage as bigger operators will move to where rail access can play a part to keep operational options open. Join our free email loop via richard.erta@gmail.com and join BRTA! https://brtarail.com/b2n/

AGM and Public Meeting - All welcome

 

East-West and North-South for emergent Unitary Surrey!

Dear All,

Pertinent Rail-based Transport Matters

Introduction: The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) is a voluntary membership-based association which punches above its weight. We want a nationwide government backed programme of local rail reopenings, select pieces of conventional rail rebuilds and existing rail capacity enhancements. So far this has been piecemeal and rail does not enjoy a level playing field in terms of schemes wanted and bided for contrast road upgrades and new-builds which the state does the homework for than asking promoters to DIY for example. It is often said that local authorities, getting them on board is the first step to getting a scheme off the ground. That can be true, but things need to be seen in the round of local, regional and strategically national welfare, benefit and gains is we tip the balances back to local rail and what it potentially can offer. For example, many think of freight by rail as block containers rumbling away, whereas parts of the network deal with smaller freight like parcels. BRTA wants these services to be joined-up to offer a diverse nationwide range of all sized freight for customers and translating that, more incentives for distributors including Amazon and couriers to send lion’s share, more post, parcels and cater for (supermarkets too) cages, pallets and other mix-load consignments. London has always been a main market for people and goods, but longer distances and moving cars and lorries by rail is very limited currently.

BRTA believes guage enhancements on some lines like the Brighton Main Line would enable double-deck Dutch passenger services, creating more seats and capacity on what is fast becoming a very busy railway with diverse operations and huge demand as the closures and subsequent resurgence in demand, means so much filters to it with few if any rail alternative routes.

We call for a study on individual and regionally-based ideas we are putting before the public and government tiers and regional agencies, to progress them and make delivery the priority rather than pontification, dithering and getting lost the big vision amidst minutiae of the small ‘p’ politics. We need local aspiration and national government policy, leadership, direction and investment for growth to meet and inform a series of inter-linking rail network enhancements.

Please see these websites for wider vision for South East Regional areas:

https://brtarail.com/southeast/ and https://brtarail.com/guildford-cranleigh-horsham/

Key areas in brief:

1.  Redhill Reforms: Redhill Station is very busy with people and trains reversing in and out. Gatwick, Tonbridge, Guildford and South London all have a claim to access it. It takes time, changing presents a barrier to demand. Gatwick is a principal demand location and increasingly so as is Brighton Main Line. BRTA suggests:

a.   Direct curves to Gatwick from the Guildford (North Downs Lines) and that of the Tonbridge Lines direct to Gatwick = new build. It would shave 20 minutes off end-to-end journey times, enable growth by rail and enable longer distance trains to reach the airport, reducing local clutter on and off the rails.

b.  A study into a new-build viaduct across the valley at Redhill linking North Downs Lines with that of Tonbridge Lines (they would need expanded tracks for the direct curves and new bore of the Tonbridge Line). The benefits would be:

-        Channel Tunnel-Reading direct passenger and freight access by rail – takes on heavy road usage and cuts emissions.

-        It would enable direct travel between places like Guildford and Reading to the west, to/from places like Kent and Ashford without recourse to Redhill delays and clutter.

-        If the study showed growth by rail, that is gain.

2.  Guildford-Horsham:

This rail link needs studying and route protection via development control/tailoring and building the case for the rail link amidst development and harmful impacts on congested local roads and land-use parking demand in urban areas. It would:

a.  Enable Gatwick-Guildford-Reading and vice versa (Gatwick from the south) informing a loop with aforementioned reforms at Redhill. That would enable 24x7 train operations and relieve existing line.

b.  With a new curve at Arundel, direct Horsham/Cranleigh/Guildford to the South Coast (Portsmouth, Chichester, Shoreham and Brighton) and those audiences to Horsham, Cranleigh, Guildford and ‘not via London’ access to Reading and beyond and vice versa, freeing up London-centric seats, saving time and possibly money.

c.               It needs a proper study, making the case as a through route with fresh eyes and a determined political will to push it through as essential local infrastructure. Guildford and Horsham are congested and as development goes in, the railway becomes ever more sought after. It can be done if we act now, another 10 years pontification and rejectionism, just exacerbates operational problems and compounds against sustainable urban footfall, spend and quality of life issues.

3.              North Down Line Potential: As well as our suggested Redhill Reforms, the North Downs Line, a long-time Cinderella line, needs investment in the form of extending third-rail electrification enabling direct semi-fast running of Thameslink Trains from East Croydon to Guildford and vice versa integrated. A Phase 2 could be extension to Reading, which informs a South outer-London orbital rail network, which brings many new and diverse capacity opportunities to more by rail along these lines. The current diesel service is inadequate, poxy, gets crowded with people and luggage (principally for the airport) and takes end-to-end a while. The link direct from Guildford to East Croydon, would enable more direct commuting options, more carriages and more employment opportunities without adding to road journeys.

5.  Heathrow and Old Oak Common: BRTA believes that trains and platforms can accommodate diverse rail services. Therefore, sharing tracks ‘common infrastructure’ should be the approach for enhancing new rail-links with Heathrow and the emergent Old Oak Common (OOC) Interchange Station in West London. We call for:

6.               Southern Heathrow Link: https://heathrowrail.com/ should link Guildford and with a west to north curve, enable direct Waterloo direction trains both to the Heathrow Airport vicinity from the southern lines. Likewise, the arms from a joined-up Windsor Link and that of a Reading Western Arm. They can share tracks, platform spaces and should have baying facilities at Old Oak Common. In addition, we call for a study in a direct twin-track tunnel link with the Chiltern Main Lines and for Chiltern services to have baying platforms at OOC too from the North (Banbury and Aylesbury). This would create an arc from Guildford/Woking to the Oxbridge East-West Rail corridor (emergent) linking with Milton Keynes and Bedford for example with wider national rail links ‘not via London’ with changing trains, stations and delays and costs.

Local-regional – re-railing informs a net-work effect which enables inward and outward movements of people and goods by rail, it is not merely an introverted parochial matter, not is it ‘otherly’ and not our concern. Rail brings people together and restores, underscores and enhances local people, places, communities, land-use stewardship balances and that of wildlife and public health and that of the environment.

BRTA stands ready to talk, engage and court support as much as possible for these schemes. We welcome fresh approaches and progression towards yes a full business case, but also bringing round-table discussions to coalition moves towards informing consensus and getting the delivered by 2050 at the latest. Unless we act now, that is not a luxury that will be available by then!

Yours sincerely,

 

Richard Pill

BRTA CEO