An integrated local transport network must be prioritised and delivered to ensure our region’s economic success does not stall.” “There is a pressing need to connect our villages and towns to jobs, education and opportunities in and around Cambridge. The future success of the Cambridge area is of national economic significance. “Whatever the future of EWR, it remains absolutely essential that Cambridgeshire’s transport problems are tackled. A tower was erected by campaigners in Harston showing the height of the ‘Great Wall’ embankment proposed as part of East West Rail’s planned route through Cambridgeshire Picture: Keith Heppell If EWR is to progress, its underlying business case must be published at the earliest possible opportunity to reassure the public that it will be money well spent. If EWR is no longer viable, we must stop spending on it now, remove the planning blight for residents and refocus our transport investment in this region. “We need an honest public discussion about whether EWR is the right transport solution for the new circumstances we face. I have previously made clear my view that electrification – or proven alternative green technology – must be incorporated into this scheme from the outset. “There is significant speculation that EWR’s business case, particularly if the additional cost of electrification is included, will not pass scrutiny under the Treasury’s ‘Green Book’ rules. Indeed, three of the ten stations see fewer than 40 passengers on average each day.In a covering letter, the Mr Browne wrote: “Residents of South Cambridgeshire have valid concerns that they have been left in limbo, not knowing if EWR will proceed and enduring an ongoing planning blight on their properties. Many of the stations have amongst the lowest usage on the national network.The stations are all unstaffed, and are very constrained in terms of the facilities and experience they can offer passengers, whether that’s warm waiting areas, drop off points, or car and bike parking.The existing infrastructure means the line is slow, with just one train an hour, taking 42 minutes to do 16 miles – an average speed of just 25mph.This has led to train services having to be suspended on numerous occasions The signalling system is obsolete and has, at times, been unreliable.The line was first built in 1846, however the underlying infrastructure however has not seen significant investment for decades, and the communities it serves have changed and grown considerably over that time.

It is not possible however to introduce a fast, reliable and frequent service between Oxford and Cambridge without making a significant investment in the Marston Vale Line. East West Rail represents a once in a generation opportunity to provide a reliable, frequent train service for communities between Bletchley and Bedford, along the Marston Vale Line.

East west rail route