East West Rail withdraws controversial £7bn depot plans

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 17 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

East West Rail has withdrawn plans to build a train maintenance centre at Fulbourn, south of Cambridge, and will use existing rail industry sites instead.

East West Rail has withdrawn its proposal to build a train maintenance centre at Fulbourn, south of Cambridge. The company said it will instead use existing rail industry-owned sites that are already available.

Chief executive David Hughes credited the rail industry for working together to find the alternative. He said: "This is a significant step forward and has only been possible because the rail industry has worked together to find a better way of meeting our requirements for a train care centre." The company had initially suggested the Fulbourn location earlier this year but continued exploring alternatives with Network Rail and train operators.

Pippa Heylings, the Liberal Democrat MP for South Cambridgeshire, welcomed the decision. She said: "This will rightly bring much relief to local residents and businesses." She also credited local groups and residents for their input during the consultation process. East West Rail said the creation of Great British Railways, a public body formed as part of government plans to renationalise the railways, had helped facilitate the collaboration between regional train operators.

Train care centres are used to stable and clean passenger trains. Once completed, East West Rail will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge.

How it is being reported

• Controversial £7bn East West Rail depot plans withdrawnPlans to build a controversial train maintenance centre near a village have been withdrawn.Oxfordshire Guardian · 17 Oct, 05:00
• Controversial £7bn East West Rail depot plans withdrawnPlans to build a controversial train maintenance centre near a village have been withdrawn.Oxford Mail · 17 Oct, 05:00

In this story: East West Rail · Fulbourn · Cambridge · David Hughes · Pippa Heylings · Oxford · Milton Keynes · Bedford

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