Support

Representation ID: 8970

Received: 03/09/2021

Respondent: East West Railway Company Limited

Agent: Mrs JANE PARKER

EWR Co’s proposed track alignment south of Ford End Road Bridge may require the relocation of some
of the existing railway sidings in that area (known as Jowett Sidings).
EWR Co is currently exploring different solutions to the layout in this area. This exercise has highlighted a
potential opportunity to use additional railway land for residential or other development. Such further
development would require the relocation of additional sidings beyond those which need to be relocated
to facilitate the EWR scheme. The necessary works to facilitate this additional development are beyond
the scope of the EWR scheme. However, EWR Co would support such a scheme were it to be taken
forward by Bedford Borough Council and / or Network Rail. EWR Co recognises that there could be
benefits (such as an overall reduction in construction-related disruption) in the delivery of such a scheme
being co-ordinated with the delivery of the EWR works in the Bedford area and would be prepared to work
with the relevant parties to assist with this co-ordination.

EWR welcomes the emerging growth development options set out in the emerging Bedford Local Plan
2040. These appear in principle to align with EWR Co’s proposed route alignment and station options as
set in non-statutory consultation undertaken earlier this year.
EWR Co welcomes ongoing discussions with the Council and requests that the emerging local plan
strategy options, policies and proposals retain sufficient flexibility to ensure that the final preferred strategy
growth options align with the preferred EWR options, due to be consulted on in 2022. Bedford Council
should note that at this stage it is considered that adopted Policy S14 in the Bedford Local Plan 2030 is
likely to need to be replaced or supplemented by a revised or new local plan policy in the emerging Local
Plan 2040 to take account of EWR Co proposals for St Johns Station.