It’s expected to bring £6.7 billion in economic growth and create 100,000 homes
04:00, 13 Mar 2026Updated 11:22, 13 Mar 2026
East West Rail is planned to connect Cambridge and Oxford (stock image)(Image: Cambridge News)
The long-awaited East West Rail project, which will link Cambridge with Oxford and Milton Keynes, has the government confirming a new regulator aimed at speeding up approvals. This change should help developers finish environmental checks faster and cut down on hold-ups.
They’ve brought in a Lead Environmental Regulator for East West Rail to simplify planning and make sure key decisions happen “efficiently” and “effectively.” The railway is set to be finished by the late 2030s. Officials say this won’t lower environmental standards but will reduce red tape.
This rail line is expected to unlock £6.7 billion worth of economic growth along with providing space for 100,000 new homes. The announcement also comes after a £100 million government boost for digital services and extra staff at the Environment Agency and Natural England so they can speed up processing planning applications over the next three years.
Phillip Duffy, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “Once complete, 3.5 million people across Oxford, Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Bedford will have access to more frequent trains, better connections and a station close to home”.
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says it is a “win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature”. Reynolds continued: “Our regulators do vital work protecting the environment we all depend on. Today marks a decisive shift in our drive to make regulation work for the people of Britain”.
David Hughes, Chief Executive Officer at East West Rail, said: “The single point of contact will make a huge difference, as it will ensure that key decisions can be made efficiently, and effectively.”
He added: “This will deliver momentum for the construction of the railway” and “allow the region to feel the economic and social benefits far sooner than would have otherwise been the case”.
