MP demands answers over East West Rail delays

Summarised from Bucks Free Press's report · Updated 22 Oct, 09:03 · Archive

An MP has criticised the Government's lack of communication over the £7 billion East West Rail project.

Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, has criticised the Department for Transport's lack of communication over the £7 billion East West Rail project. He asked the Secretary of State for Transport last month how many drivers are required for the line from Oxford to Milton Keynes to begin operations, how many have completed training, and when all required training will be finished. The Department responded that it could not answer within the usual time period and would provide a response as soon as possible.

Mr Smith said the delay in responding suggests the department does not yet know the answer and that services on the Oxford to Milton Keynes section remain far off. The 41-mile route, which restores part of the former Varsity Line linking Oxford and Cambridge, was completed and handed over to Network Rail in late 2024 after a reconstruction programme costing around £1.2 billion. It was expected to open to passengers in 2025 but still operates without regular services.

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• 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.Bucks Free Press · 22 Oct, 08:46

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

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