MP demands answers over East West Rail delays

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

The £7 billion East West Rail project remains without passenger services despite completion in late 2024.

Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, has called out the Government over ongoing delays to the £7 billion East West Rail project. Last month he asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many drivers are required for the line from Oxford to Milton Keynes to begin, how many have completed training, and when all training will be finished. The Department for Transport responded that it could not answer his questions within the usual period and said an answer would be provided as soon as it was available.

The 41-mile Oxford to Milton Keynes section of the project was completed and handed over to Network Rail in late 2024 after a major reconstruction programme costing around £1.2 billion. The route restores part of the former Varsity Line linking Oxford and Cambridge and was expected to open to passengers in 2025.

Mr Smith said: 'For a railway that is already meant to be open, how on earth does the Department for Transport not already know the answer to this question on East West rail? Should be at their fingertips - but the delay in replying can only mean they haven't got a clue… and that we are still a long way off services operating on Oxford to MK stretch of East West Rail.' The line remains without regular services almost two years after construction was finished.

How it is being reported

• MP demands answers over ongoing £7bn East West Rail delaysAn MP has called out the lack of communication from the Government amid ongoing frustration over the ongoing £7 billion East West Rail project.Oxford Mail · 21 Oct, 16:00
• MP demands answers over ongoing £7bn East West Rail delaysAn MP has called out the lack of communication from the Government amid ongoing frustration over the ongoing £7 billion East West Rail project.Oxfordshire Guardian · 21 Oct, 16:00

In this story: Greg Smith · Department for Transport · Network Rail · Oxford · Milton Keynes · Cambridge

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