Oxford News
East West Rail receive more than 1,000 feedback forms
The feedback comes as the public consultation on the railway scheme, which will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge, approaches its halfway point.
Launched on April 14, the consultation has already generated strong engagement, with East West Railway Company (EWR Co) encouraging further participation before the closing date of June 9.
David Hughes, CEO of EWR Co, said: “It’s great to see so many people wanting to find out more about our latest proposals and sharing their feedback as we approach the halfway stage of our consultation.
“East West Rail will cut travel times, reduce congestion and improve connectivity whilst providing new job opportunities, supporting new housing and unlocking economic growth.
“I hope people take the opportunity to find out more about the project by attending one of the remaining consultation events and sharing their views to help us shape our final designs.”
So far, more than 1,700 people have attended consultation events, with more than 1,080 feedback forms received, nearly 30,000 website consultation page views, over 3,600 interactive map views, and more than 780 visits to the virtual consultation room.
The first of eight remaining public events is scheduled for May 12 at The King’s Centre in Osney Mead, Oxford.
Further events are planned in Milton Keynes, Cambridge, Bedford, Cambourne, and other locations before the consultation closes.
Following the consultation, feedback will be used to inform the final designs for the railway ahead of a Development Consent Order (DCO) application, expected in 2027.
Key updates in the latest proposals include an accelerated construction programme to deliver benefits sooner and the introduction of up to five trains per hour.
Trains will also increase from four to five carriages to meet projected demand, as a result of the new Universal resort being built.
EWR Co has committed to delivering a rail service that supports job creation, new housing, and economic growth across the region.
Previous consultations in 2019, 2021, and 2024 have already prompted more than 80 design changes, as highlighted in the ‘You Said, We Did’ update published in November 2025.
The current consultation will be the final route-wide opportunity for public comment before the DCO submission.
EWR Co is a non-departmental public body established by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2017 to deliver the East West Rail project.
The company aims to unlock economic potential across the corridor, which is recognised as a leading area for life sciences, technology, and innovation.
For more information about the consultation and how to get involved, please visit the consultation page, contact EWR Co’s helpdesk at contact@eastwestrail.co.uk or call 0330 134 0067.
Feedback must be received by 11:59pm on June 9.
The Thames Valley Police Abingdon unit arrested a man for “breaching court bail conditions” on Saturday, August 29.
A spokesperson said: “On Saturday, PC Hackett attended reports of a male breaching court bail conditions.
READ MORE: Public told ‘DO NOT APPROACH’ as wanted man sighted in Oxford centre
“With assistance from PC Ellingworth and PC Harvey, the male was arrested. Following a search, a knife was recovered from his possession.”
In a wide ranging update, the force also revealed it had supported in a “concern for welfare incident linked to the night-time economy.
In addition, it had carried out licensing checks across Abingdon with drug wipes used and sent off for testing
OXFORD Mail Camera Club members have been taking photos of their dogs
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The collision happened on the southbound carriageway between Junction 6 for Lewknor and Junction 5 for Watlington in the late morning on Saturday, August 29.
The emergency services attended the scene and closed the road,
National Highways said lanes two and three of the three-lane motorway were shut as a result while crews dealt with the incident, leading to delays of around 40 minutes.
Congestion was worsened by separate lane closures between Junctions 4 and 5 in both directions following damage to the central reservation from an earlier incident.
Traffic built up on approaches to the crash, with nearby areas including Stokenchurch and Lewknor also affected.
Images from traffic cameras showed long queues of vehicles and emergency workers at the scene throughout the afternoon.
AA Travel also reported that one lane was closed on the northbound carriageway between Handy Cross and Stokenchurch due to emergency repairs.
National Highways later confirmed that all southbound lanes between Junctions 6 and 5 had reopened and that the lane closures linked to the earlier incident were also being removed.
Despite the reopening, delays of around 40 minutes remained on the approach as traffic slowly returned to normal.
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