Latest news with #WestRail
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
New £5billion train line to connect two of the UK's most beautiful cities
THE Chancellor delivered the first Spending Review in nearly four years ON TRACK New £5billion train line to connect two of the UK's most beautiful cities Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NEW £5billion train line is set to connect two of the UK's most beautiful cities. The government have confirmed a £2.5 billion cash injection into continuing to deliver the plan. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A new £5billion train line is set to connect two of the UK's most beautiful cities 2 Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a further £2.5 billion in funding for East West Rail Chancellor Rachel Reeves has confirmed a further £2.5 billion in funding for East West Rail (EWR), the major infrastructure project to establish a railway link between Oxford and Cambridge. She announced the investment in her first spending review statement to Parliament after the long-delayed scheme. Speaking in the House of Commons Reeves said: 'I have heard representations from my honourable friends from Milton Keynes North, Milton Keynes Central and Buckingham and Bletchley. "And I can tell the House today to connect Oxford and Cambridge and to back Milton Keynes' leading tech sector I am providing a further £2.5 billion for the continued delivery of East West Rail.' The funding is part of a broad vision to develop the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. A government policy paper released alongside the Chancellor's speech described a 'renewed focus' on driving growth in the area. It also confirmed that EWR remains central to that ambition, supporting not only economic development but also enabling large-scale housing growth reports East Anglia ByLines. Reeves reiterated the government's commitment to creating 1.5 million new homes and emphasised that new transport links like EWR would help unlock sites for housing and employment along the route. The railway is also expected to ease pressure on roads, connect communities more effectively and stimulate local economies by making areas more attractive for investment and business start-ups. Councillor Judy Roberts, cabinet member for Place, Environment and Climate Action on Oxfordshire County Council, said: 'We welcome the continued commitment from the government to progress East West Rail through to Cambridge," reported This is Oxfordshire. Watch shock moment car get trapped on railway crossing before train speeds through She added: "Which builds on previous budget commitments and delivery of the route between Oxford and Milton Keynes, expected to open soon following current train testing. "East West Rail effectively provides a 'backbone' for developing a wider regional integrated sustainable transport network. "And it will be important that Oxfordshire works with those on the scheme to provide high-quality first mile/last mile connectivity from key stations along the route. 'It will also be important to maximise the benefits of development for East West Rail through delivering economic, social and environmental benefits, as well as onward rail connections, for example to Swindon and Bristol. What is the East West Rail First conceived more than 20 years ago, the EWR project aims to establish a direct rail link between Oxford and Cambridge. The full scheme is expected to cost at least £5 billion and includes both upgrades to existing infrastructure and construction of new lines. The project is divided into four key segments: Upgrading the rail between Oxford and Bicester (completed in 2016). Restoring a disused line between Bicester and Bletchley (opening later this year). Refurbishing the existing route from Bletchley to Bedford (to be completed by 2030). Building a brand new stretch of railway from Bedford to Cambridge (still in planning stage). The line, once completed, will make it possible to travel from Oxford or Cambridge to most of the north of England without having to go through London. 'This includes delivery of a fully decarbonised passenger and freight railway at the next stage of development, with supporting investment in electrification infrastructure and high-quality new trains, including for use between Oxford and Milton Keynes.' Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, also supported the plans and said: 'I welcome the Government's confirmation in the Spending Review of the £2.5 billion for the next phase of the East West Rail project. 'It's crucial that East West Rail deliver the funding to keep London Road open and I will continue pressing the company and Rail Ministers to commit to an underpass for all modes of light transport.' Other announcements made in the spending review included a further £3.5 billion towards improving the TransPennine rail route that links York, Leeds and Manchester.
North Wales Live
4 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Wales tipped to get £445m for rail projects in Spending Review this week
UK Government is set to announce £445m for rail projects in Wales. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to make the announcement at the Spending Review on Wednesday. This comes after a week in which the UK Labour Government has been under attack from Plaid Cymru and other opponents over its decision to classify a new rail line between Oxford and Cambridge as a England and Wales project. This means that any money spent on it will trigger extra payments to Scotland and Northern Ireland so they can spend it on their transport systems, but not Wales. But North Wales Live understands that there will be a boost for rail in Wales at the review - aimed at driving growth. At least £445 million is set to be spent on rail projects in north and south Wales to enhance connectivity between cities, towns, and centres of advanced manufacturing. The money will be spent on fixing level crossings, building new stations, and upgrading existing lines, and is understood to be a combination of direct funding and money for the Welsh Government. Last month the Welsh Government announced a 15 point plan to improve rail services in North Wales but there were questions over how it would be funded. A Treasury source said: 'With this Government Wales will thrive, and the Chancellor has prioritised bringing forward a package that has the potential to be truly transformative.' A source said the strategic rail investment forms the cornerstone of a UK Government plan to address decades of underinvestment in critical infrastructure that has held back the Welsh economy. But a Plaid Cymru spokesperson on Transport attacked the UK Government for its decision to reclassify the £6.6bn East West Rail as an England and Wales project. Peredur Owen Griffiths MS said: 'The UK Labour Government's decision to reclassify the Oxford to Cambridge rail link as an England and Wales project is one of the most egregious examples of the Westminster government working against the best interests of the people of Wales. 'Despite the project being previously classified as an England project in the 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2024 editions of the UK Government's Statement of Funding Policies, meaning Wales received a consequential – Labour have moved the goal posts and is now choosing to deny Wales much needed investment. 'For all we know, this decision could result in Welsh rail projects losing out or not happen at all because of Wales being denied its share of funding."
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What are the infrastructure projects expected to be backed by Rachel Reeves?
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is due to support a number of major infrastructure schemes in a speech on growth on Wednesday. Here is a summary of some of the schemes that could be mentioned: – Heathrow airport Heathrow airport in west London wants to build a third runway to raise capacity and boost resilience. The scheme would have a major impact on the local area, with hundreds of homes demolished and villages such as Harmondsworth and Longford likely to be partly or wholly demolished. The plans received parliamentary approval in June 2018, but the airport would need to apply for a Development Consent Order to go ahead with the project. There is no timeline for when a third runway could open, but it is likely to be well into the 2030s. – Gatwick airport Gatwick airport in West Sussex wants to bring its second, emergency runway into routine use for take-offs by smaller aircraft, providing a major boost in capacity and resilience. The project would involve widening the runway by 12 metres. The airport says construction could start this year and be completed by the end of the decade. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by February 27. – Luton airport Luton airport in Bedfordshire wants the limit on its annual number of passengers to be raised from 18 million to 32 million. This would involve expanding its existing terminal and building a second terminal. The scheme would not require a new runway or flight paths. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by April 3. – East West Rail East West Rail involves boosting railway links between Oxford and Cambridge with new and upgraded lines. The scheme has three stages, with initial services from Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes scheduled to begin this year. The other two stages are reliant on Government funding and approval. These involve services being extended from Oxford to Bedford, and then from Oxford to Cambridge via Bedford and Bletchley. – Tempsford station A new railway station at Tempsford, Bedfordshire, would provide connections between the East Coast Main Line and East West Rail. – Old Trafford Manchester United is eager to create a new venue by either redeveloping its current stadium to increase capacity to 87,000, or build a new ground which could hold 100,000 fans. The club has said it will decide on its preferred option 'ahead of the summer'. The project would also involve a major regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, with residential, transport and entertainment developments. – Lower Thames Crossing This is a new £9 billion road crossing between Kent and Essex. It would connect the A2 and M2 in Kent to the A13 and M25 in Essex via a 2.6-mile long tunnel under the Thames, which would be the UK's longest road tunnel. This is aimed at reducing congestion on the Dartford Crossing. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander is expected to make a final decision on whether to approve the scheme by May 23.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
What do government 'Silicon Fens' plans mean for Cambridge?
The chancellor has unveiled plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, claiming it will boost the UK economy by up to £ Reeves said the area has "the potential to be Europe's Silicon Valley", but a lack of affordable housing, no direct train service between the university cities and a lack of water supply in one of the driest regions in the country had held this back."To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area," she what has been confirmed for the Cambridge area? The Environment Agency has lifted its objections to developments around Cambridge, delivering 4,500 homes, plus associated facilities such as schools, as well as office and laboratory space in the city centre at the Beehive CentreThe government will let water companies unlock £7.9bn in investment to build new reservoirs, including a new Fens Reservoir to serve CambridgeFunding has been confirmed for transport projects, including the East West Rail, and an upgrade on the A428 between Milton Keynes and CambridgeThe new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital will be prioritisedSupport has been confirmed for a new East Coast Mainline station at Tempsford, BedfordshireThe government has backed the University of Cambridge's plans to build a large scale innovation hub in the city centre Economic potential Ms Reeves said: "Oxford and Cambridge offer huge economic potential for our nation's growth prospects."Just 66 miles apart, these cities are home to two of the best universities in the world, two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology firms in life sciences, manufacturing, and AI."To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area. But to get from Oxford to Cambridge by train takes two and a half hours."Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK. In other words, the demand is there but there are far too many supply side constraints on economic growth in the region." To help meet the government's aims, Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance has been appointed as the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor said: "The UK has all the ingredients to replicate the success of Silicon Valley or the Boston Cluster, but for too long has been constrained by short termism and a lack of direction."I look forward to working with local leaders to fulfil the Oxford-Cambridge corridor's potential by building on its existing strengths in academia, life sciences, semiconductors, AI and green technology amongst others." Political analysis The government keeps saying its main mission is to grow the economy. Now the chancellor has made it very clear that she wants this region to be at the forefront of that before have there been so many local announcements in one speech: airport expansion, road improvements, new homes, a station even a reservoir. For years the business community has been telling governments the region has significant potential, if only it was given the support that it needed to grow. Rachel Reeves has listened and now expects the region to deliver.A lot of these ideas are not new. Public opposition and a lack of confidence by investors meant they have not became reality. The chancellor wants it to be different this time by driving the changes through the planning system with limited time for will be opposition to some of this, there will be legal battles - it may not all succeed and it will certainly take time. But if it does happen, the look of this region and the way people view this region will change considerably. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
