Transport Secretary Chris Grayling welcomed a milestone moment for East West Rail during a visit to Bicester, as he saw how enabling works are laying the ground for construction.
Meeting with Network Rail staff on the western section of the route, the minister saw how preparations are laying the foundations for a world-class rail link and significantly better journeys for passengers between Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford.
Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "East West Rail will transform journeys in one of Europe’s most vibrant economic regions, providing passengers and businesses with a transport system that unlocks economic opportunity and drives forward new housing and jobs.
"As a hub for technical and scientific innovation, home to world-class universities and a skilled workforce that drives growth, the success of England’s economic heartland is imperative to the UK’s prosperity and productivity.
"Rapid progress on the project means we will see construction underway on direct, fast and reliable services from next year, delivering significantly better connections for passengers."
Chris Grayling met with Rob Brighouse, Chair of the East West Railway Company, who said: "East West Railway Company is working hard with Network Rail to open this line as soon as possible. We’re delighted to have the work underway. When open this line will boost economic growth, and make it easier and quicker for people who live here to travel in the local area."
In a joint statement, both universities of Cambridge and Oxford said: "We believe that better transport links between these global university cities will help boost academic and research investment across the corridor, providing fresh opportunities and economic benefits to communities throughout our region. Oxford and Cambridge have both seen turnover double over the last 12 years, which has in turn significantly boosted the local, regional and national economies.
"As two of the country’s three fastest growing city economies, together with Milton Keynes, the completion of East West Rail will be a vital part of the country’s success over the decades to come."
East West Rail is being built progressively in 3 phases. With phase 1 between Oxford and Bicester already complete, phase 2 will see major track and signalling upgrades extending services from Oxford to Bedford and Milton Keynes to Aylesbury. These works includes the reinstatement of the Varsity line between Bletchley and Claydon Junction, a mothballed section of railway closed since the 1960s.
The project is a vital part of the government’s plans to provide the region with a road and rail network fit for the future, improving links to jobs, education, leisure and health services.
The Government also recently announced the preferred corridor for the Oxford to Cambridge expressway will run alongside the East West Rail route, improving links between 2 of the country’s intellectual powerhouses and delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.