Milton Keynes MP welcomes East-West Rail announcement

Milton Keynes South MP, Iain Stewart, has endorsed the proposals announced today by the Secretary of State for Transport on East-West Rail.

Iain, who was today re-elected as Chairman of the East-West Rail APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) has been a long-standing campaigner for the re-opening of the railway line between Oxford/Aylesbury to Bedford and Cambridge.

The line goes through his constituency at Bletchley and Woburn Sands.

“Chris Grayling’s announcement of a new company to oversee the construction and operation of the East-West line is very welcome news,” said Iain.

“I had been concerned that the project would have been delayed because of over-runs elsewhere in the Network Rail investment programme.

“Together with the £110m awarded by the Chancellor in the Autumn Statement, today’s announcement should mean that the project can continue without delay.

He added: “I am particularly pleased that the new company will be working with the National Infrastructure Commission to use the line as a key to unlocking the enormous economic potential of Milton Keynes at the centre of the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.”