Dear editor,
The Route E constructional impact maps have now been released from East West Rail Co through the Freedom of Information process.
The drawings provide previously withheld levels of detail regarding the intended route and its implications for landowners, commuters and local residents.
The adjacent Bedford Town constructional impact map has also been requested, is awaited and will be published when released by East West Rail.
Although two years old, these drawings show what is considered to be very close to the intended ultimate final design and layout of the railway across north Bedfordshire.
The included landscaping features will no doubt be subject to debate and variation but the ‘structural’ nature of the design and the location and size of the construction logistics parks are believed unlikely to change.
The drawings show the immense scale of the intended works – not only the embankments, viaducts and cuttings, but also road diversions, public right of way closures and diversions, drainage works, and the huge construction compounds located at frequent intervals along the route.
Conspicuously absent are any plans showing how many of these compounds will be accessed, unless by wholly unsuitable country lanes.
For more information, please head to bfare.org.uk where they have been posted to help the public understand the details.
I strongly believe that this proposed route is not the best for Bedford and will significantly hinder its residents and businesses from going about their daily lives for many years to come and severely impact Bedford Town Centre’s economic recovery.
It is time to pause this ridiculous proposal and sit around the table to critically evaluate, with all the information provided, the options available that will provide our town and its people with a railway fit for the future but will not disadvantage the present.
Cllr Nicola Gribble
Independent/Renhold & Ravensden
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