East West Rail

Since being elected, Richard has been an advocate for his constituents, consistently voicing their concerns to East West Rail and Department for Transport ministers. He has also regularly raised these issues in the House of Commons, notably securing and speaking during debates in June 2021 and June 2023.

In May 2023, following the announcement of the East West Rail route, Richard publicly outlined his opposition to the plans in this video. The route announcement by East West Rail can be found here.

In the new Government's Budget in October 2024, it was confirmed that East West Rail would go ahead and that a new non-statutory consultation would open on 14 November. Richard's reaction can be read here. The consultation closed on 24 January 2025 and Richard's submission can be read here. Feedback from this consultation has yet to be published.

In the Chancellor's growth statement on 29 January 2025, she confirmed her backing for East West Rail and announced that the building of an East Coast Mainline Station at Tempsford would be expedited by 3-5 years and it would later join with the East West Rail line.

The proposed new section of railway between Bedford and Cambridge has been designated as a project of national significance. This means East West Rail will apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order (DCO), granting consent to build and operate the new railway.

A statutory consultation is expected to be held ahead of the DCO application. Please check back here for more updates.

See below for all of Richard's news on East West Rail.

News

East West Rail route announced - Richard reconfirms his opposition to the plans

Friday, 26 May, 2023

On Friday, East West Rail published its chosen route. Richard Fuller MP said: Disappointingly it leaves a lot of questions still up in the air about freight, about the financial case and whether it will be powered by diesel or not. I have produced this video to outline the chosen route and expla

Richard visits farm affected by East West Rail route decision

Thursday, 25 May, 2023

Last week, Richard visited Rectory Farm in his constituency. Speaking after the visit, Richard Fuller MP said: I am grateful to Helen at Rectory Farm near St Neots for inviting me to visit her farm. Not only does Helen have to contend with the issues affecting all farmers; the transition fr

Richard meets with the new Mayor of Bedford

Friday, 12 May, 2023

On Friday, Richard met with the new Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton. Speaking afterwards, Richard Fuller MP said: Tom Wootton and I are united in our opposition to the plans of East West Rail that are so environmentally damaging and lack a coherent business case for taxpayers. We agreed to w

Richard meets with Chief Secretary to the Treasury to discuss East West Rail alternatives to deliver growth

Friday, 12 May, 2023

Following Richard's question on East West Rail in Parliament on Tuesday, which can be watched here, Richard met with the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, on Wednesday. Speaking after the meeting, Richard Fuller MP said: I had a tough follow-up meeting with the Chief Secretar

Richard asks for meeting with Treasury to explore alternative ways to boost growth in OxCam Arc rather than proceed with East West Rail

Wednesday, 10 May, 2023

On Tuesday, during Treasury Question in Parliament, Richard asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to meet with him to discuss East West Rail. The question and the Minister's reply can be watched here. Speaking after the exchange, Richard Fuller MP said: I pointed out to the Minister tha

Richard meets with GTR and Network Rail at parliamentary drop-in

Monday, 1 May, 2023

Last week in Parliament, Richard had another opportunity to talk to GTR and Network Rail as he met with Jenny Saunders, Customer Services Director for Thameslink and Great Northern and Lucy McAuliffe, Route Director for Network Rail. Richard Fuller MP said: At the parliamentary drop-in for MPs ar

Richard asks government at PMQs to require East West Rail to publish a full business case before the allocation of any more taxpayers’ money to the project

Wednesday, 29 March, 2023

This week in PMQs, Richard asked the Deputy Prime Minister to require East West Rail to publish a full business case before the allocation of any more taxpayers’ money to the project. Richard's question and the Deputy PM's answer can be watched here. Richard Fuller MP said: It was a particu

Richard asks Minister for housing growth in the Ox-Cam Arc not to be progressed until service shortages are addressed

Monday, 27 March, 2023

During Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities questions in the House of Commons this week, Richard asked the Minister for a meeting to discuss the progress review by the National Infrastructure Commission, published this week, which in his view confirmed that East West Rail is an

Richard leads a cross party, cross region group of MPs calling on the Chancellor to rethink plans for growth in the “OxCam Arc"

Wednesday, 15 March, 2023

Ahead of today’s budget North East Bedfordshire MP, Richard Fuller, has led a cross party, cross region group of MPs calling on the Chancellor to rethink plans for growth in the “OxCam Arc”. The MPs say that the existing plans, based on a 2016 National Infrastructure Report are falling short c

Call a halt to the East West Rail 'gravy train'

Monday, 23 January, 2023

Richard is calling on the Treasury to impose better fiscal discipline at the East West Rail Company which is responsible for the East West Rail project. A recent Freedom of Information request revealed high salaries of many of the staff at the Company, which is still recovering from its flawed 2019