The Secretary of State for Transport has told EEH that it has a 'key role' to play in maximising the benefits of East West Rail.
In a letter to EEH's Chair Cllr Liz Leffman, Heidi Alexander said: “As you know, East West Rail is a priority transport project for the Government. It is a crucial programme for unlocking opportunities across the OxCam corridor and delivering the Government’s growth mission. EEH has a key role to play in ensuring East West Rail is part of an integrated transport network and that the benefits of investment in the new line are fully realised.”
Her comments were made in response to a letter from EEH's Chair Cllr Liz Leffman, which had set out how regional Spending Review priorities would help realise the ambitions for the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor. This included the importance of East West Rail, improving bus services and integration, and securing investment in order to deliver capacity improvements at Ely Junction as soon as possible.
The Transport Minister added that ‘the Department recognises the benefits’ that investment in Ely and Haughley rail improvements ‘could bring to the region’ but that ‘potential funding to progress the enhancements would need to be considered as part of the Spending Review, due for announcement in the summer’.