Campaign group Bedford for a Re-consultation (BFARe) has responded to the third non-statutory East West Rail project consultation, saying the new rail line will be ‘devastating” and that many have been “feeling the impact of the East West Rail project for years”.
In a statement late last week, the campaign group, which calls for, amongst other things, an alternative route to the one through north Bedfordshire to be chosen said: “The blight experienced by home and landowners is real, and to many, it is devastating.
“Impacted Bedford residents are often without adequate assistance and support from their local elected officials.”
They’re now calling on Bedford Borough Council to do more to support those along the route who face what they believe will be “years of upheaval” with some even having their home demolished to make way for the rail line.
“Bedford Borough Council promoted and approved Route E. BFARe calls upon the council to now reconsider this decision,” said a BFARe spokesperson.
“There are alternative East West Rail route options which serve Bedford town that must be properly considered without undue pressure from those that made the original Route E decision.”
A spokesperson from Bedford Borough Council, however, said they are preparing a response and the consultation will be discussed by all councillors at a meeting early next year.
“We understand the concerns raised by residents and the BFARe group about the impact of the project on the local community and urge all residents to make their views known direct to the EWR Company,” they said.
“The Council is currently considering the new documentation provided by the EWR Company as part of its latest non-statutory consultation.
“It is intended that a report on the issues raised will be considered by Full Council on January 15, prior to a response being formally submitted after a meeting of the Council’s Executive on January 29.”
The current consultation runs until 24 January 2025, but the EWR Company has agreed to accept a response from the Council on 30 January to work around the council’s timetable.
BFARe initial response
BFARe says they’re still “digesting” new information released as part of the ten-week consultation. But, they have highlighted four key points of ‘focus’.
- “Mapping information is much improved on previous consultations but gives little indication of how the extensive civil engineering involved in constructing the railway through the heart of the mature town of Bedford and elsewhere will be managed with any degree of acceptability.”
- “The claim of ‘green energy’ fuelling the trains as announced is only feasible for passenger services, not freight. According to EWR estimates, there will be 12 additional diesel freight trains per day travelling each way through the centre of Bedford.”
- “The number of homes in the Poets area to be affected has been increased to 75 properties.”
- “This is the second time EWR has unilaterally changed what was consulted upon previously. They have now just announced their preferred route will cross the A1 Black Cat area without giving the public prior awareness.
“This destroys public confidence in what EWR attempt to portray as an industry-leading public marketing exercise.”
“HS2 is an example of how both the DfT and local officials have got things wrong at the expense of the taxpayer billions. The DfT must learn the lessons from HS2 and stop making the same mistakes regarding blight, cost underestimates and overspend.
“The Labour government need to question the Route E decision as it is clear that building a winding, damaging, indirect and expensive route is not exactly the best use of taxpayer funds,” added the spokesperson
EWR response
In response to BFARe’s initial response, EWR has issued explanations and reasonings for changes to the plans and their reasons for the chosen route and delivery of the project.
- Lessons from HS2: EWR Co says they have already demonstrated the ability to effectively and efficiently deliver large infrastructure projects with the new section of line between Bicester and Bletchley being delivered on time and under budget.
“We have focused on explaining the value and purpose of EWR to society from the outset, which is why we have put significant emphasis on engaging with, and listening to, communities, businesses, and local authorities along our route,” said their spokesperson.
“We are prioritising cost-efficiency to maximise value for the taxpayer, which combined with effective contingency planning, has led to the successful completion of the first stage of the project.
“EWR is a long-term, transformational growth project that will deliver economic growth and create jobs, not just across the region but the whole country. - Increase in homes affected: One of the main concerns for the project was the demolition of homes in Bedford’s Poets area. The number of residential properties to be acquired and potentially demolished as reported at the route update in May 2023 has not changed from 37.
But, further design developments, mean the number of properties that may have part of their garden or parking area acquired has increased.
An EWR Co. spokesperson said: “The prime reason for this is because there is a need for a turning area on Chaucer Road, resulting in the need to acquire part of the garden area of a block of flats comprised of nine properties.
“The design of the turning area aims to reduce land take as far as possible. We understand the significant effects these proposals would have on those people whose homes and businesses would be affected by the construction of the new tracks.
EWR say they’re in regular contact with those in the Poets area who may be impacted and are “committed to implementing mitigation measures where possible.”
They have also established a Need to Sell Property Scheme for those who are unable to sell their property because of our proposals. Homeowners in this area will also benefit from the statutory blight provisions that come into effect alongside this consultation. - Concerns over lack of detail: “In this consultation, we have for the first time, published plans that show the extent of land required for construction and operation of the scheme and the location of main and satellite construction compounds,” said their spokesperson.
“Our Technical Report provides an area-by-area description of how the construction works will be undertaken where they will be managed from, and which strategic road networks will be used.
“Street names and geographic indicators are described within the Technical Report, but it is difficult to show individual roads at the scale at which the drawing has been produced.”
EWR Co. say they do appreciate people will want to see more detail and tell us that planning the precise details of how the construction will be managed and mitigated in Bedford town centre is still ongoing.
“Once these plans are finalised they will be presented at the Statutory Consultation,” they said. - Additional diesel freight trains per day: Plans for freight services between Oxford and Bedford remain the same with the provision for two freight trains a day in each direction running from Felixstowe to Cambridge and Bedford and beyond.
“If additional services were to be introduced at a later date, that would require a significant upgrade to the proposals we are setting out and wouldn’t be possible with the design we are currently presenting,” said the EWR Co. spokesperson.
“However, East West Rail’s primary purpose is to provide connectivity between communities and support economic growth as a passenger service,” they added.
“Even with the limited uplift in freight services made possible by EWR, this could replace up to an estimated 250,000 lorry journeys every year – around 980 lorry journeys per day.
“Rail freight can play an important role in decarbonisation and modern freight locomotives are designed to reduce their environmental footprint, including noise and emissions.
“Each tonne of freight transported by rail produces 76% fewer carbon emissions compared to road transportation.
EWR Co, also cited the previous Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, saying it “set out an ambition to remove all diesel-only passenger and freight trains from the rail network by 2040 and includes a commitment for the rail network to be net zero by 2050.”
Take part
BFARe are now calling on all Bedfordians to engage in the consultation and make sure their views are heard.
“The economic growth that East West Rail will generate for Bedford remains unclear, and without a business case, the benefit of new East West rail transport remains wholly unproven.
“What we do know is that Bedford will experience years of construction blight, additional commuter traffic and EWR diesel freight running through our polluted town centre.”
You can read the latest consultation document at the EWR website and are invited to attend consultation events at the following locations.
30 November (12pm-5pm) – The Grand Hall, The Sixth Form, Bromham Road, Bedford
6 December (2pm-7pm) – Lidlington Village Hall, High Street, Lidlington
9 December (2pm-7pm) – Bedford Swan Hotel and Thermal Spa, The Embankment, Bedford
11 December (2pm-7pm) – Wilden Village Hall, High Street, Wilden
13 December (2pm-7pm) – Stuart Memorial Hall, Church Street, Tempsford
7 January (2pm-7pm) – St Neots Town Football Club, Kester Way, St Neots
17 January (2pm-7pm) – The Summerlin Centre, Woburn Sands Station Road, Woburn Sands
There are other in-person events in other areas along the rail route, details of which can be found at the EWR website.
Tom Wootton (Conservative), elected Mayor of Bedford Borough, also called for people to make sure they give their views direct to EWR Co., “It is really important that residents reply to this consultation and share their thoughts on this project with the EWR Company,” he said.
