Last Friday evening, Richard attended the East West Rail consultation session in the Stuart Memorial Hall in Tempsford.
Speaking after the visit he said@
In my opinion the event didn't provide any new answers to the myriad problems that beset this project, and no amount of graphic designed boards or soothing statements about mitigation can disguise the fatal flaws with this railway.
We know the long understood issues surrounding the huge costs of the chosen route, the reliance on diesel freight rolling stock, the greatly reduced passenger numbers since the scheme was first dreamt up, the catastrophic and irreversible environment damage that will be caused across currently pristine countryside and the enormous house building that will accompany the railway - in fact, carpeting Bedfordshire in new builds is the only economic basis of support for EWR.
On top of these well known issues, not enough focus has been given to the years of disruption that residents in Bedford town and the affected rural areas will have while the infrastructure is being built, the decimation of hospital parking, and the potential for utter gridlock on Bedford's road network.
I will be submitting my response to the consultation before the closing date of January 24th and I urge you to do the same if you share my concerns.
There are 2 consultation events remaining that you can attend for more information and the opportunity to ask questions:
- -St. Neots Town Football Club on 7th January 2025 from 2pm - 7pm
- an online event on 9th January 2025, 10am - 12pm. You can find the joining link at the East West Rail website.
