Bedford Borough Council, the local MP and campaigners have reacted with shock at the news that a further 10 properties on Ashburnham Road could be demolished as part of East West Rail’s (EWR) remodelling of Bedford Station.
The affected properties include multiple flats and long-established local businesses, including Dom Polski and a GP surgery.
Council officers and Mohammad Yasin MP met with representatives from the East West Main Line Partnership on Tuesday and today (Wednesday) to discuss EWR’s ambitious plans for the redesign of the station.
Bedford Borough Council has vowed to fight the plans to demolish 2-20 Ashburnham Road.
Read: Is East West Rail still on the right track after Universal’s announcement?
An EWR Spokesperson said: “East West Rail acknowledges that the proposed design changes for Bedford Station will be unsettling for many local residents and businesses.
“We are committed to engaging directly with those affected and will be visiting homes and businesses along Ashburnham Road to explain our proposals in person.
“Our vision for an enlarged Bedford Station is ambitious and transformative. The new interchange will not only accommodate future rail capacity but also enhance connectivity between the station and the town, unlocking long-term benefits for Bedford.
“The proposed demolition of properties, while difficult, is necessary to reduce construction time by up to three years significantly. This means the benefits of the new station can be delivered sooner, with less disruption over time.”
“Deeply unfair”
Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford & Kempston (Labour), said he felt it was “deeply unfair” to constituents who have been “consulted on one set of plans, only to be presented later with new and even more controversial proposals on the most damaging aspects of the project.
“Residents deserve transparency, not surprises. Those directly affected should not have found out via social media, but directly from EWR with support and mitigation measures put in place in advance of the news.
“Once again, East West Rail have let them down and compromised public trust.”
He said he remained firmly opposed to the need for compulsory purchases in Bedford to deliver the project.
“There is simply no justification for destroying people’s homes or livelihoods to make the scheme viable, and I have already submitted detailed evidence from an independent rail expert in my latest consultation response to back this up.”
“Left in the dark”
“What is particularly troubling is that these significant changes were not included in the last consultation. I was told this land would not be needed. This is not the first time residents have been left in the dark.
“In 2018, we only discovered late in the process that two additional tracks were being proposed, threatening homes that had never been mentioned in the consultation. Now we are seeing history repeat itself.”
The MP urged EWR to publish the results of the last consulation to show the evidence, business case and modelling to justify the new proposals.
“I urge East West Rail to look again at its proposals and thoroughly consider the options for building this important transport connection without unnecessary demolitions.”
“Absolutely abhorrent”
Cllr Nicola Gribble (Independent, Rehnold and Ravensden), portfolio holder for environment, said: “This is absolutely abhorrent.
“It’s even worse than it being 10 homes – those 10 properties include Dom Polski Club which has been open for more than 60 years, a GP surgery, Council-owned temporary accommodation, and multiple flats.
“I am shocked and disgusted.
“East West Rail don’t seem to realise or perhaps simply don’t care about the impact on people’s lives, businesses, and this entire community.
“There has been no sign of foresight, no transparency. We still don’t know how they’ve reached the conclusion that this is necessary. Perhaps they just want to railroad us – well, it won’t work.”
Bedford Borough Council said it is waiting for further information on the plans, with Mayor Tom Wootton pledging to keep residents informed.
“East West Rail indicated at the meeting that if it cannot demolish these homes it could extend the project by a further two to three years,” said Cllr Gribble.
“Bedford Borough Council is not prepared to pay the price for their shortcomings, nor will we let our residents do so, and we will offer those residents our full support.”
“Asleep at the wheel”
Cllr Michael Headley, deputy leader of Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, said: “The Mayor was elected, making all kinds of statements about East West Rail. But now in office, what has he achieved?
“His approach to dealing with the East West Rail Company has made things worse, as we now see ten more properties have been added to the list of demolitions.
“According to the council’s own website, there haven’t been any meetings with East West Rail for over 18 months. The administration of the council seem to be asleep at the wheel yet again.
“Discussions in previous years had helped protect these properties, but now that is no longer the case.”
A spokesperson for the campaign group, Protect Poets, told the Bedford Independent: “Protect Poets have long feared for the safety of homes and businesses in Ashburnham Road since the decision to proceed with the additional two tracks through Bedford.
“EWR have until now dismissed these concerns.
“The ‘revelation’ of this additional destruction is devastating for those now in the position of Compulsory Purchase and we hope they are not just finding out this news through the media.
“This new announcement demonstrates a creeping loss of public amenities in the shape of a doctor’s surgery and an established community centre as well as a significant number of homes.
“How many more ‘surprise’ additional acquisitions of homes and businesses are EWR going to reveal before this project reaches Government approval to start construction?”
