East West Rail bridge work begins despite service delay

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 12:46 · Archive

Construction has started on the East West Rail project in Bedfordshire, with a major road closed for utility work until November.

Construction crews have started work on Marston Road in Lidlington, Bedfordshire, as part of the East West Rail project. The road is closed until November 20 while utility diversions are carried out ahead of major railway upgrades. The first week of activity has focused on establishing two new construction compounds, with further work expected over the coming weeks.

A much longer shutdown is planned to stretch from March 1, 2027, until October 27, 2028, during which a new railway bridge will be built to replace the existing level crossing. The project forms part of East West Rail's Marston Vale acceleration programme, which aims to bring passenger services between Oxford and Stewartby into operation in the early 2030s.

The railway infrastructure between Oxford and Milton Keynes was rebuilt and handed over to Network Rail in December 2024, and a test train successfully ran the full route in October 2024. However, regular passenger services have not yet started. Once complete, East West Rail will create new direct journeys from Oxford to destinations including Milton Keynes and Bedford, with future phases expected to extend services through to Cambridge.

How it is being reported

• East West Rail works begin despite no Oxford-Milton Keynes servicesA major road has closed as work continues on the East West Rail bridge project, despite trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes still not running.Oxfordshire Guardian · 29 Oct, 12:30
• East West Rail works begin despite no Oxford-Milton Keynes servicesA major road has closed as work continues on the East West Rail bridge project, despite trains from Oxford to Milton Keynes still not running.Oxford Mail · 29 Oct, 12:30

In this story: East West Rail · Marston Road · Lidlington · Bedfordshire · Oxford · Milton Keynes · Network Rail · Cambridge

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