Dear editor,
Michael Rooke highlights a valid point about East West Rail Co and the lack of up-to-date thinking about the route to Cambridge.
Read: Letters: Why is EWR’s route through Bedford still being considered?
Their view that a route to the north of Bedford was best was never fully justified or explained. However, it was always unpopular as it required wholesale demolition in Bedford and taking the line over hilly and picturesque countryside near Thurleigh and Colmworth.
They believed it was the best route but [EWR Co] were always arrogant and patronising about the process, their public consultation being nothing more than a branding exercise for their higher managers to say ‘we know best’ and ignore the concerns of residents.
Now they say more demolition will be needed, which is confirmation that, in their view, the decision is made, compounding the lack of concern shown to residents by EWRail.
With the advent of Universal Studios, however, the situation has changed, shifting the focus to the south side of Bedford, with the need for thousands of visitors to be accommodated.
Read: Is East West Rail still on the right track after Universal’s announcement?
There needs to be much more rail infrastructure here, so why not use it as a springboard to re-route the Cambridge arm of the railway across the lower-lying land south of Bedford, where development will have to happen.
It seems the new opportunities of this situation, and the implications for the town, haven’t been noticed by EWR and thus show their ossified ideas are disappointingly behind the curve of present-day and future realities here in Bedford.
The case for the southern route has never been stronger.
Bruce Mortimer
Kempston
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