East West Rail has announced a final, eight-week-long consultation that will give communities an opportunity to shape the final design of the new railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

The consultation, which will run from 14 April to 9 June 2026; will take onboard feedback from the public before a final Development Consent Order is submitted in 2027.

East West Rail test train

East West Rail test train

© East West Rail

For eight weeks; those interested will be provided with opportunities to view new, high-resolution station images, as well as fly-through animations and updated plans for phased construction.

The consultation also sets out proposals for both new and upgraded stations, service patterns designed for future demand (including for the Universal theme park), and the introduction of hybrid electric and battery-powered trains to support net zero ambitions.

East West Rail has announced a series of public drop-in events along the route, as well as weekend and online sessions. A virtual consultation room will also host materials online.

The sessions are as follows:

Monday 20 April – Online Webinar (18:30 – 20:00)

Thursday 23 April – Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford, SG19 2AW   (14:00 – 19:00)

Saturday 25 April – Summerlin Centre, 138 Station Road,  Woburn Sands, MK17 8SG  (14:00 – 19:00)

Wednesday 29 April – Bletchley Masonic Centre 263 Queensway , Fenny Stratford, Bletchley,  MK2 2BZ  (14:00 – 19:00)

Thursday 30 April – Stewartby Village Hall, Stewartby Way, Stewartby, MK43 9LU  (12:00 – 17:00)

Friday 1 May – Great Shelford Rugby Club , The Davey Field, Cambridge Road, Great Shelford, CB22 5JJ  (14:00 – 19:00)

Wednesday 6 May – Online Webinar (15:00 – 16:30)

Tuesday 12 May – The King’s Centre , Osney Mead, Oxford,OX2 0ES  (11:00 – 18:00)

Thursday 14 May – Lidlington Village Hall , High Street, Lidlington, MK43 0RN  (14:00 – 19:00)

Friday 15 May – Longueville Hall, Whaddon Road, Newton Longville, MK17 0AT  (14:00 – 19:00)

Monday 18 May – Venture Conferencing, Christian Centre, Strudwick Drive, Milton Keynes, MK6 2TG  (11:00 – 18:00)

Thursday 21 May – Cambridge United Football Club, Cledara Abbey Stadium, Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN (11:00 – 18:00)

Saturday 23 May – King’s House , 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ  (11:00 – 18:00)

Saturday 30 May – Cambridge Belfry Hotel, Back Lane, Great Cambourne, Cambourne, CB23 6BW  (11:00 – 18:00)

Tuesday 2 June – Online Webinar (10:30 – 12:00)

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