The East West Rail project has finally issued its route, and consultations are taking place locally. I visited the exhibition recently in Bedford.
The main points are:
The stated aim is to be primarily a freight route.
Bromham Road in Bedford will be rebuilt (again) to make it wider to take 6 tracks.
There will be an 8-floor multi-storey car park in Ashburnham Road to serve the station.
St Johns Station will be moved closer to the hospital, taking over the parking area. The solution is to build a 9-storey car park of similar capacity to existing parking arrangements.
A new route from Bedford to Cambridge, taking over the countryside to the north-east of Bedford.
Re-aligning the Branston Way approach to the roundabout adjacent to Brewpoint.
1.2 km viaduct over the Ouse and A6 near Clapham
More details can be found online at here or you can visit the exhibitions in person.
