The Local Plan is definitive about what will happen as part of the East West Rail project and that this “has a bearing on this plan and its success”. O&H are generally supportive of the East West Rail scheme and agree that it will bring economic and sustainability benefits along the route. However, at the time of writing, there is no certainty about what the shape of the proposals will be along the Bletchley to Bedford section.

East West Rail Co. are behind their originally published programme and there is currently no certainty over when they will move to their statutory consultation. There are also unhelpful statements coming from the current Secretary of State for Transport about the future of the project.

The success of the development strategy and the whole Local Plan cannot hinge on whether the current Government enables this piece of regional infrastructure. The whole Oxford – Cambridge rail route should be delivered in the future, and hopefully by 2030, but the project is currently not progressing as planned and the evidence base for the Local Plan could be weakened if the Council continue to determine its success by projects that are out of its control.

The Local Plan cannot pre-judge what the rail improvements might be. However, the South of Bedford already benefits from the Marston Vale Line, which is due to be improved by virtue of the improvements permitted through the 2020 Transport and Works Act Order. This baseline position provides excellent opportunities for sustainable growth, which are a rare opportunity that should not be overlooked.