Bedford Borough Council will hold a public meeting next week to hear views on the latest East West Rail proposals and to explain how it plans to respond.
The in-person session will take place at Borough Hall on Monday (16 February) from 6pm to 7.30pm and is open to all. Spaces are limited and must be booked in advance via Eventbrite.
Questions can also be submitted ahead of the meeting by emailing communities@bedford.gov.uk.
Have your say
The council says the event forms part of its work to keep residents informed about East West Rail and to ensure local views are reflected in its formal response to the scheme.
Council officers will outline their understanding of the updated proposals, explain how the authority is responding on behalf of Bedford Borough and listen to questions, concerns and feedback from those attending.
They will also set out how the gathered comments will be used in the council’s submission.
The authority has previously raised serious concerns about aspects of the scheme, including plans announced late last year to demolish an additional 53 homes and businesses on Ashburnham Road, including a GP surgery and the Dom Polski venue.
Read: East West Rail welcomes faster planning rules as Bedfordians face ‘weaker’ formal say
Separate from EWR sessions
The council has stressed that this meeting does not replace the East West Rail Company’s own design update sessions, which are taking place tomorrow and Saturday.
Read: East West Rail welcomes faster planning rules as Bedfordians face ‘weaker’ formal say
| Thursday, 12 February | 3pm-8pm | Cauldwell Community Centre, Althorpe Street, Bedford MK42 9HF |
| Saturday, 14 February | 12pm-5pm | Queens Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LF |
Those meetings remain the primary opportunity for residents to hear directly from East West Rail about emerging designs.
Read: East West Rail says final design for Bedford proposals to be made available in 2027
The council-led session focuses on explaining the Development Consent Order process, outlining the borough’s position, and gathering feedback to inform its progression.
East West Rail is a multi-billion-pound rail link planned between Oxford and Cambridge, with Bedford at its centre. The project is being delivered by the government-owned East West Rail Company.
Limited places are available, so if you plan to attend, please book in advance on Eventbrite.
Questions can also be submitted in advance by emailing communities@bedford.gov.uk.
