East West Rail and Little Shelford
The Parish Council would like to encourage everyone to respond to the EWR non-statutory consultation which closes on 24th January. If you haven’t read about it yet you can do so online at https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024 or by going to the library in Great Shelford, which has a printed copy. You can find the link to the on-line response form at the same web site.
The most significant impact within the Parish boundary is the planned closure of the Hauxton Road level crossing.
EWR plan to build a new road from Hauxton Road to Newton Road, crossing the railway on a new road bridge.
They are also putting forward an option to provide a pedestrian bridge over the railway at Hauxton Road.
The PC are strongly in favour of EWR providing a pedestrian bridge at Hauxton Road, with a ramp that allows easy use for push-chairs, mobility scooters etc.
Please add your support by responding to question 19 in the consultation response document. You can also expect serious disruption to our village particularly along Newton Road and Hauxton Road over several years while the railway is being built. There are also major impacts in neighbouring parishes which are described in the consultation.
The feedback form covers the whole length of the planned route. Questions 17-21 cover those sections closest to Little Shelford. Q19 is specific to the pedestrian bridge and you can use Q20 to make more general points such as the impact of the new road and bridge on the village, and on neighbouring villages.
Question 22 is the only question that provides you with an opportunity to question the overall business case for EWR or to advocate for the northern approach as opposed to the southern route EWR are planning for.
Remember that your response must be received by midnight on the 24th January. If you need any help responding, or wish to share your views on EWR with the Parish Council please contact the clerk (littleshelfordparishclerk@gmail.com)
East West Rail and Little Shelford
East West Rail, which will travel through Little Shelford, has come another step closer after the new Government re-stated its commitment to the major project in the Budget on October 30 2024.
The Government has announced a new consultation about the East West Rail route from Oxford to Cambridge which started on Nov 14 2024 and ends on January 24 2025.
There will be an event to see the plans and share your views in Little Shelford Memorial Hall on December 8 from 2pm.
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In the consultation, East West Rail confirmed that the Hauxton Road level crossing in Little Shelford will close.
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A new road bridge over the railway will be built, with a new road from Hauxton coming out half way down Newton Road in Little Shelford.
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There is also a potential proposal for a new pedestrian bridge over the railway close to the current crossing in Hauxton Road.
Eleven houses in Hauxton Road, Little Shelford will be cut off from the rest of the village when the railway crossing is closed.
"We propose closing Hauxton Road level crossing due to the increased number of trains that would pass over the crossing once East West Rail is operating," says the EWR document.
"An increase of four trains in each direction per hour, in addition to the Great Northern, Thameslink and freight trains that already run on the railway, would require the barriers to be down for up to 90% of the time during a standard timetabled hour. Even with improvements to the level crossing, this would not address traffic congestion caused by increased barrier down time."
It is proposed that a new road bridge over the railway west of Little Shelford could be provided, which could also be used by pedestrians and cyclists.
"We propose providing a new road bridge over the railway west of Little Shelford, linking High Street with Newton Road. Pedestrians, cyclists and other users of the existing crossing would also be able to use this road bridge.
"In addition to the new road bridge, we are also considering providing a footbridge to the east of the level crossing which could be used by pedestrians, cyclists (dismounted) and others. Users would access it from the fields next to Hauxton Road. We would like your feedback during this consultation to help us decide whether the footbridge should be provided"
More details can be found in Chapter 15 of the Consultation Document.
East West Rail is a new railway which would connect communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, making it easier to reach the things that matter most.
East West Rail has confirmed its preference for green traction power with hybrid battery-electric trains, after the Chancellor confirmed government support for the project in yesterday’s Budget.
As well as the environmental benefits such as reducing carbon emissions, discontinuous electrification would mean overhead lines would only need to be installed along some sections of the route, which would significantly reduce disruption during construction and potentially decrease visual impacts in more sensitive locations along the new railway. This option would also cost less than full electrification, reducing the need to alter current structures and requiring less land for things such as mast foundations.
You’re invited to take part in our consultation and share your feedback on proposals for the new railway. The consultation will run from 14 November 2024 to 24 January 2025.
There are several ways you can get involved:
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Attend our in-person or online events
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Visit our virtual consultation room
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View our proposals online and at information points
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Fill in our feedback form.
To find out more about our proposals and to share your feedback, visit: eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation2024
Oxford: 19 Nov 2024 – Oxford Town Hall
Bicester: 21 Nov 2024 – John Paul II Centre
Great Shelford: 22 Nov 2024 – Shelford Rugby Club
Steeple Claydon: 26 Nov 2024 – Village Hall
Bedford: 30 Nov 2024 – The Grand Hall
Cambourne: 03 Dec 2024 – Cambridge Belfry
Lidlington: 06 Dec 2024 – Lidlington Village Hall
Bedford: 09 Dec 2024 – Bedford Swan Hotel
Wilden: 11 Dec 2024 – Wilden Village Hall
Tempsford: 13 Dec 2024 – Stuart Memorial Hall
St Neots: 07 Jan 2025 – St Neots Town Football Club
Comberton: 10 Jan 2025 – Comberton Village Hall
Bletchley: 15 Jan 2025 – Bletchley Masonic Centre
Woburn Sands: 17 Jan 2025 – The Summerlin Centre
Cambridge: 18 Jan 2025 – The Clayton Hotel
Cherry Hinton: 21 Jan 2025 – St Andrews Church
East West Rail is likely to include the permanent closure of the railway crossing between Little Shelford and Hauxton and a significant increase in trains travelling alongside the village.
Updated Nov 14 2024
11 houses cut off from the rest of Little Shelford
Eleven houses in Little Shelford will be cut off from the rest of the village when the Hauxton Road railway crossing is closed.
The houses affected are at 67 to 83 Hauxton Road, Little Shelford.
The houses are all on the Hauxton side of the railway crossing.
East West Rail and Little Shelford
The East West Rail campaign is starting to gear up again following the General Election.
It has emerged that East West Rail has sent Land Interest Questionnaires to 53 properties in Great and Little Shelford that are likely to be adversely affected by the new Oxford to Cambridge railway line.
An announcement about the next steps for East West Rail are expected after the Budget announcement in October.
If the proposals go ahead, it will mean more trains using the existing trainline along with additional rail lines through Little and Great Shelford. The impact on the two villages would be significant.
The proposals could mean the closure of the railway crossing in Hauxton Road, Little Shelford.
Campaigners against the proposals argued that a northern route into Cambridge from Bedford would be more sensible.
Possible changes to the railway at Little Shelford
EWR is considering permanently closing or improving the Little Shelford level crossing in Hauxton Road at the location of the current level crossing.
The EWR consultation document stated; "There are a number of options we are considering for the Hauxton Road level crossing:
• Building a bridge or an underpass at the existing level crossing
• Closure with provision of a pedestrian/cycle bridge
• Permanent diversion either with provision of a new highway or along other existing local roads.”
It is believed that there is not enough room for a new bridge or underpass for cars in Hauxton Road. This would mean that Little Shelford would be split in two, with some Little Shelford homes split off from the rest of the village on the Hauxton side of the tracks.
Posted September 30 2024
East West Rail Little Shelford update
Major developments in the East West Rail project were expected by June. However, the timing of the next steps are now unclear due to the General Election on July 4.
Major developments in the East West Rail campaign were expected by June.
But because of the General Election, consultations in June and July have now been postponed.
EWR have now formally confirmed that the consultation will be postponed, with no indication of when it might happen.
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Cambridge Approaches and BFARe (Bedford for a Re-consultation on Route E) are joining forces to put pressure on the Government to pause the East West Rail project.
“We do not want the Oxford-Cambridge rail link as described in the East West Rail Company's Route Update Announcement and subsequent refinements. We call for these plans to be paused and for a full, transparent and independent review.”
There are several reasons this pause should happen. If you agree with any or all of the following points, you should sign the petition.
BENEFIT TO COST RATIO
The official level 2 benefit to cost ratio for the project is dreadful at 0.3. This means it's poor value for money.
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AND BUSIER ROADS
The strategic case is supposed to be about removing congestion on roads into Cambridge, but with houses for 213,300 people proposed and less than 1% of whom predicted to use the railway, the roads will just get busier and the strategic case fails.
WATER SHORTAGE
There is no water infrastructure to allow for the vast additional housing development that EWR would bring.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The environmental impact of construction of the railway and the new towns on green field sites is enormous in terms of wildlife, farmland and CO2 emissions.
POOR MANAGEMENT
There are many indications that the organisations tasked with getting planning permission for EWR are not fit for purpose. E.g: the 30% annual staff turnover reported at EWRCo.
LACK OF COMMUNICATION
Central government departments and local government are not communicating with each other as flagged by the report of the National Audit Office in December 2023. The NAO also said it was not clear how the benefits of the railway would be delivered.
LOCAL PLAN ALREADY IN PLACE WITHOUT EWR
The Greater Cambridge Local Plan already addresses the forecast demand for jobs and housing, so what is the need for EWR and its housing plan?
This is a link to their petition to try to stop the East West Rail project.
Posted May 24 2024
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EWR has been sending out Land Interest Questionnaires to those it believes are likely to be affected by either the construction of the railway or its operation during March 2024. It does not inform recipients into which category it thinks they fall.
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The new East West Rail route between Cambridge and Oxford will travel through Little Shelford a new report has confirmed.
The announcement will mean an additional four trains an hour through the village, increasing train noise.
It could also mean the closure of the existing Hauxton Road crossing
EWR has announced it is planning two, statutory consultations before its DCO application. They say "A two-stage statutory consultation will maximise the opportunities for our communities to influence the proposals during the development stage of the design process.”
The first stage will be launched “in the first half of this year” and "will share our updated proposals, as well as updated information on design areas. We will also provide an overview of potential environmental impacts and mitigations. Building upon the work we’ve completed to date, our proposals will be presented in more detail than in previous rounds of non-statutory consultations and will again seek feedback from the public.”
There’s going to be an update later to confirm consultation dates, the information they will be asking for feedback on and explaining how to get involved.
It is unclear whey EWRCo are taking this approach, save that it may be part of their response to the NAO’s conclusion that "EWR Co has more to do to respond to the concerns of the region’s residents, some of whom will be negatively affected by the project and are unhappy with how EWR Co has communicated with them”.
Posted Feb 27 2024
National Audit Office scrutinise East West Rail
The government's spending watchdog the National Audit Office is investigating the planned £5bn rail link between Cambridge and Oxford that would go through Great Shelford.
East West Rail (EWR) will link the two university cities via a new section of track between Bedford and Cambridge.
The National Audit Office (NAO) said it will assess the "economic and strategic" case for the EWR project.
A Bedfordshire MP along the proposed route welcomed the move and said "the maths just don't add up" in EWR's business plan.
The NAO said its investigation would look into:
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How the "context" for EWR has changed over time
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The Department for Transport's assessments of the "economic and strategic case" for EWR
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The cross-government working to "plan and deliver the intended outcomes".
Posted Oct 24 2023
East West Rail WILL travel through Little Shelford
The new East West Rail route between Cambridge and Oxford will travel through Little Shelford a new report has confirmed.
The announcement will mean an additional four trains an hour through the village, increasing train noise.
It could also mean the closure of the existing Hauxton Road crossing
East West Rail (EWR) is a major new railway connecting Oxford and Cambridge.
If the proposals go ahead, it will mean more trains using the existing trainline along with additional rail lines through Little and Great Shelford. The impact on the two villages would be significant.
The proposals could mean the closure of the railway crossing in Hauxton Road, Little Shelford.
Campaigners against the proposals argued that a northern route into Cambridge from Bedford would be more sensible.
Possible changes to the railway at Little Shelford
EWR is considering permanently closing or improving the Little Shelford level crossing in Hauxton Road at the location of the current level crossing.
The EWR consultation document stated; "There are a number of options we are considering for the Hauxton Road level crossing:
• Building a bridge or an underpass at the existing level crossing
• Closure with provision of a pedestrian/cycle bridge
• Permanent diversion either with provision of a new highway or along other existing local roads.”
It is believed that there is not enough room for a new bridge or underpass for cars in Hauxton Road. This would mean that Little Shelford would be split in two, with some Little Shelford homes split off from the rest of the village on the Hauxton side of the tracks.
Changes to the railway in Great Shelford
The proposed new line will run alongside the existing King’s Cross line through the Shelfords before merging with the Liverpool Street line in Great Shelford.
Under the current proposals, EWR has stated that this junction, located to the west of Granham’s Road in Great Shelford and known for historical reasons as the Shepreth Branch Junction, will need to be re-built to accommodate the additional trains. This may require the King’s Cross line to cross the Liverpool Street line on a new bridge in Great Shelford, before the four tracks merge and run side-by-side into Cambridge Station. Technically, this is known as a grade-separated junction because the railways cross at different heights.
Assuming this happens, the impact on Great Shelford will be significant. The bridge structure is expected to be many hundreds of metres long (perhaps over a kilometre) and several metres high – roughly the height of the current footbridge across the railway. The new structure may be located south of Addenbrooke’s Road bridge as that is where there is most space, but EWR has not said.
At present, only two tracks run into Cambridge. But this will become four tracks under the proposed new layout. To accommodate the widened railway, the DNA cycle path running alongside the current tracks will probably need to be moved according to the proposals.
The campaign group fighting the proposals are also concerned about freight. The tracks will be built to handle freight and freight trains run on diesel. This would increase noise and pollution in the Shelfords.
Other layouts are possible, some with less potential to cause harm to Great Shelford (for example a flat junction at Shepreth Branch Junction). But considering the evidence, a bridge is likely to be EWR’s preferred option.
Links
The Shelfords’ EWR Action Group. The objective of the group is to persuade East West Rail to conduct a full consultation on both a southern and northern approach to Cambridge. mailto:gt-shelford-ewr-action@googlegroups.com
Cambridge Approaches action group
CamBed RailRoad (CBRR) created an alternative route option known as the northern approach as it connects via north Cambridge stations - full details can be found on their website www.cambedrailroad.org
Posted March 16 2023
East West Rail January 2023 update
An announcement about the route choice for East West Rail will be made early in 2023 it has emerged.
The proposals could mean the closure of the railway crossing in Hauxton Road, Little Shelford.
In a statement, East West Rail (EWR) CEO Beth West said: "We are in the process of finalising our recommendations for consideration by Government in the early part of 2023. Once that’s happened, we will then be able to respond formally to the consultation and update local communities on the route choice. I don’t have a confirmed date for that publication yet, but as soon I do I will let you know."
"The whole EWR team has worked hard this year reviewing the consultation responses and refining our proposals to take account of all the useful feedback we have received. We have also been focused on setting out the case for EWR to inform Government decisions on the project" she said in an EWR newsletter.
"Therefore, I was delighted in November when the Chancellor made clear in his Autumn Statement the Government’s commitment to EWR and stressed again how important this project is to local communities, and to help develop long term growth for the whole of the country.
"The statement gave us the green light to move forward .
"I do recognise that people have been waiting a long time, and when I joined EWR Co in April I expected to publish an update on the project quickly. However, given the changes in Government over the past 6 months, I hope you will appreciate that progress hasn’t been entirely within my control.
"I completely understand the importance of certainty. The Chancellor’s commitment was great news for the businesses who needed certainty about EWR so they can crack on with their long term investment plans. It was also good news for the local authorities who see EWR as integral to delivering on local ambitions – as well as for the 71% of local people between Oxford and Cambridge who think a new east-west public transport link is a good idea.
"But for those people I’ve spoken to whose homes could be impacted by the railway, I know that certainty about the route choice is also critical, and the whole team here is focused on bringing that certainty as quickly as possible. My personal pledge as we close out the year is to work with Government and the team to publish an update as soon as possible."
Posted Dec 22 2022
East West Rail December 22 update
Rumours that East West Rail (EWR) might be heading for the sidings have been turned on their head after the Government recommitted to the East West Rail project in the recent budget. (External link)
East West proposals could include lots of extra trains through Little Shelford and the even the railway crossing on Hauxton Road, Little Shelford being closed.
Results of the most recent EWR consultation are expected to be published imminently which are likely to identify any changes to the project.
East West Rail is a major new railway connecting Oxford and Cambridge.
The proposed East West Rail route from Oxford to Cambridge could run through Great and Little Shelford under current proposals.
If the proposals go ahead, it will mean more trains using the existing trainline along with additional rail lines through Great and Little Shelford.
Routed appropriately, EWR might deliver important benefits to Cambridgeshire. But the proposed route alignment for the central section from Bedford to Cambridge, and the manner in which it has been developed, are causing concern within Great Shelford, Little Shelford and other affected parishes.
No decisions have yet been taken.
Posted Nov 28 2022.
East West Rail
July 2022 update
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Transport Secretary Grant Shapps calls for East West Rail to be scrapped (external link)
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Parts of the EWR scheme are unachievable according to a new report (external link)
East West Rail (EWR) is a major new railway connecting Oxford and Cambridge.
The proposed East West Rail route from Oxford to Cambridge could run through Little and Great Shelford under current proposals.
If the proposals go ahead, it will mean more trains using the existing trainline along with additional rail lines through Little and Great Shelford.
Routed appropriately, EWR might deliver important benefits to Cambridgeshire. But the proposed route alignment for the central section from Bedford to Cambridge, and the manner in which it has been developed, are causing concern within Little Shelford, Great Shelford and other affected parishes.
No decisions have yet been taken.
Changes to the railway at Little Shelford
EWR is considering permanently closing or improving the Little Shelford level crossing in Hauxton Road at the location of the current level crossing.
The consultation document states; "There are a number of options we are considering for the Hauxton Road level crossing:
• Building a bridge or an underpass at the existing level crossing
• Closure with provision of a pedestrian/cycle bridge
• Permanent diversion either with provision of a new highway or along other existing local roads.
Changes to the railway in Great Shelford
The proposed new line will run alongside the existing King’s Cross line through the Shelfords before merging with the Liverpool Street Line in Great Shelford.
Under the current proposals, EWR has stated that this junction, located to the west of Granham’s Road in Great Shelford and known for historical reasons as Shepreth Branch Junction, will need to be rebuilt to accommodate the additional trains. This may require the King’s Cross line to cross the Liverpool Street line on a bridge, before the four tracks merge and run side-by-side into Cambridge Station. Technically, this is known as a grade-separated junction because the railways cross at different heights.
Assuming this happens, the impact on Great Shelford will be significant. The bridge structure is expected to be many hundreds of metres long (perhaps over a kilometre) and several metres high – roughly the height of the current footbridge across the railway. The new structure may be located south of Addenbrooke’s Road bridge as that is where there is most space, but EWR does not say.
At present, only two tracks run into Cambridge, but this will become four tracks under the new layout. To accommodate the widened railway, the DNA cycle path running alongside the current tracks will probably need to be moved.
The Action Group is also concerned about freight. The tracks will be built to handle freight and freight trains run on diesel. Imagine trying to sleep if diesel trains are running through the village and over a bridge at night in addition to the pollution they would bring.
Other layouts are possible, some with less potential to cause harm to Great Shelford (for example a flat junction at Shepreth Branch Junction). But considering the evidence, a bridge is likely to be EWR’s preferred option.
Timeline update
EWR confirmed Option E, the southern approach to Cambridge, through Great and Little Shelford, in 2020.
June 2021 The East West Rail most-recent consultation ended.
An independent company is now analysing the 9,800+ consultation responses that were received, and teams across EWR Co are busy considering each and every one of the 190,000+ comments they received. They will publish a summary of all the consultation responses and set out how they have used this feedback as soon as they can.
May 2022 EWR established some local representatives groups .
In 2022 they will present the next stage of detailed proposals and ask your views once more, as part of a statutory consultation.
In 2024, having considered all the representations that are made to them, they expect to apply for permission to build the railway in what is known as a Development Consent Order (DCO).
Links
The Shelfords’ EWR Action Group. The objective of the group is to persuade East West Rail to conduct a full consultation on both a southern and northern approach to Cambridge. mailto:gt-shelford-ewr-action@googlegroups.com
Cambridge Approaches action group
CamBed RailRoad (CBRR) created an alternative route option known as the northern approach as it connects via north Cambridge stations - full details can be found on their website www.cambedrailroad.org
Updated July 13 2022
Links to other Little Shelford website pages
www.littleshelford.online/news
www.greatshelford.online/events
www.littleshelford.online/fun-weekend
www.littleshelford.online/parish-council
www.littleshelford.online/community-groups
www.littleshelford.online/businesses
www.littleshelford.online/pavilion
www.littleshelford.online/village-hall-wale-rec
www.littleshelford.online/village-people
www.littleshelford.online/health
www.littleshelford.online/planning
www.littleshelford.online/community-orchard
www.littleshelford.online/environment
www.littleshelford.online/history
www.littleshelford.online/phonebox-library
www.littleshelford.online/newsletter
www.littleshelford.online/scambs