East West Railway Company has published its latest update on public feedback gathered during its 2024 non-statutory consultation. The update reveals that Bedfordians’ concerns centred on construction disruption, traffic issues, and the demolition of homes in the Poets area.
The consultation, which ran from 14 November 2024 to 24 January 2025, received 6,218 responses across the entire EWR route, including over 90,000 individual comments from residents, stakeholders, and local authorities.
In Bedford alone, two in-person events, one at the Bedford Swan Hotel and another at The Grand Hall at Bedford Sixth Form, attracted over 800 people.
According to the consultation report, the impact of construction on Bedford’s road network and residential areas was a key theme in local feedback.
Respondents flagged the proposed realignment and reconstruction of major roads and bridges as a cause of “severe traffic issues and prolonged disruption”.
Demolition of homes
Environmental concerns were also raised, particularly around the planned viaduct over the River Great Ouse floodplain, with some locals highlighting the risk to local ecosystems and green spaces.
A significant number of responses focused on the demolition of homes in Bedford’s Poets area.
Some called for clearer information on compensation, while others suggested that an alternative southern route could avoid the loss of housing altogether and reduce construction disruption in the town.
In a foreword to the report, David Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of East West Railway Company, said: “Listening to and understanding the views of local communities, representatives and stakeholders is fundamental to the way EWR will be designed, built and operated.
“That’s why we planned to deliver a consultation that was accessible and reflective of local needs and perspectives.
“More than 6,000 people responded to this consultation and we’re grateful to everyone who shared their views with us.
“Now that the consultation is closed, our team is carefully considering the feedback we received as we continue to develop proposals before holding a statutory consultation next year.”
Concerns in Bedford
Bedfordians also raised broader concerns about the length of the construction phase, the impact on access to essential services, and the longer-term effects on local property values and business viability.
Comments emphasised the importance of minimising noise, dust, and disruption during the build and ensuring effective communication about construction plans.
As part of the consultation process, letters were sent directly to land and property owners affected by the proposals, including those within safeguarded areas where statutory blight provisions now apply.
This means affected homeowners may be eligible to serve a blight notice requesting East West Rail to purchase their property before construction begins.
Although the current consultation was non-statutory, East West Rail Co says it followed the same principles as those required for formal Development Consent Order (DCO) processes under the Planning Act 2008.
A statutory consultation, which will present more detailed infrastructure proposals, is scheduled for 2026.
As part of the statutory consultation, a complete “You Said, We Did” report outlining how public feedback has shaped updated designs will be published.
To read the full consultation update report, visit eastwestrail.co.uk.
