EAST WEST RAIL CONNECTION STATE 2 AND 3

Rating: The assessment remains ‘Amber’. The April 2025 announcement of a Universal Destinations & Experiences (UDX) theme park to open near Bedford in 2031 has necessitated additional design work as set out in the Autumn Announcement in November 2025. Updated scope for the project has been set out in the final route-wide consultation in April 2026 and will subject to approval of the Development Consent Order and Full Business Case.

Schedule: Future stages of the railway and delivery of the full Oxford-Cambridge service are subject to an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) - the application is targeted for submission in 2027. Full completion of the project is planned for the mid-late 2030s. In line with the Government’s ambitions to speed up delivery of major infrastructure projects, certain parts of the project will now be accelerated to be delivered ahead of the mid-2030s, including a new ECML station at Tempsford and EWR services between Oxford and Stewartby serving the new Universal Studios Theme Park in Bedfordshire.

Cost: Exempt under Section 35 - Formulation of government policy, Section 43 - Commercial interests

Source: NISTA Major Projects Annual Report 2025-26 (data)

Rating: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the Infrastructure Project Authority's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 24/25-Q4 remained at AMBER. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ The project is currently being re-baselined following the re-commitment to the programme and the route update announcement. The development of the relationship between Sponsor team and ALB is good, and work on the Key Strategic Assumptions and decisions are being worked through to be defined, agreed and baselined. EWR Co undertook a non-statutory consultation at the end of 2025 and an update report was published in May 2025. Planning is now underway for a Statutory Consultation for CS2/3 ahead of an OBC and DCO application. As part of the Spring Budget in 2025, the Chancellor re-committed to the delivery of works on the Marston Vale Line of East West Rail. These works will enable the service between Oxford and Bedford to commence by the end of the decade.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the project's end-date at 24/25-Q4 remained at 09/10/2030. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ This project is still in the concept and design stage. There remains a degree of uncertainty around the overall project schedule, until further work has been completed to refine delivery options and the project’s scope and a funding profile agreed with HMT. More detailed information will be provided in subsequent iterations of the IPA’s annual report and via project led public engagement in due course.

Cost: Compared to financial year 23/24-Q4, the project's departmentally agreed Whole Life Cost at 24/25-Q4 (measured in £m) remained at 3970. This is primarily due to the following factors‚ This project is still in the concept and design stage with important scope decisions yet to be made. The cost range is estimated at £4-7bn. More detailed information will be provided in subsequent iterations of the IPA’s annual report, and the funding required will be determined via business case processes.

Source: NISTA Annual Report 2024-25 (data)

Rating: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the Senior Responsible Owner's Delivery Confidence Assessment rating at 23/24-Q4 remained at Amber. This is primarily due to the following factors. The project is currently being re-baselined following the recommitment to the programme and the route update announcement. _x000D_ EWR Co is now planning for two Statutory Consultations for CS2/3 ahead of an OBC and DCO application. _x000D_ Cross-government discussions are being led by HMT through a new EWR economic growth board on how to maximise the opportunities EWR can unlock. The Budget announced up to 15m of funding for local authorities for this and the first stage of work is progressing on developing local visions for growth around stations. _x000D_ As part of the Spring Budget on 6 March 2024, the Chancellor announced delivery of works on the Marston Vale Line of East West Rail will be bought forward, supported by 240m. These works will enable the service between Oxford and Bedford to commence by the end of the decade.

Schedule: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the project's end-date at 23/24-Q4 remained schedule to finish on 2030-10-09. This is primarily due to the following factors. This project is still in the concept and design stage. There remains a degree of uncertainty around the overall project schedule, until further work has been completed to refine delivery options and the project's scope and a funding profile agreed with HMT. More detailed information will be provided in subsequent iterations of the IPA's annual report and via project led public engagement in due course.

Cost: Compared to financial year 22/23-Q4, the project's departmental-agree Whole Life Cost at 23/24-Q4 remained at 3970m. This is primarily due to the following factors. This project is still in the concept and design stage with important scope decisions yet to be made. The cost range is estimated at 4-7bn. More detailed information will be provided in subsequent iterations of the IPA's annual report, and the funding required will be determined via business case processes.

Source: IPA Annual Report 2023-24 (data)