Bedford Mayor questions transparency of East West Rail following new update
Concerns raised over communication and impact on local homes and businesses©Alamy
Last updated 28th Nov 2025
Bedford Borough Mayor Tom Wootton has criticised East West Rail (EWR) for what he describes as a lack of transparency and honesty in their latest communications surrounding the multi-billion-pound rail link set to connect Oxford and Cambridge.
The organisation’s recently published ‘You Said, We Did - Autumn Update’ aims to inform the public about progress made since their last consultation earlier this year. However, Mayor Wootton expressed significant concerns over the handling of information related to the project, particularly on matters impacting residents and businesses in Bedford.
During his response to the update, Mayor Wootton called for greater openness from EWR and stressed the importance of regaining public trust:
“This project desperately needs to win back public trust. Everyone at East West Rail desperately needs to show that they’re being honest and transparent.
How are they doing right now? Frankly, they don’t pass the sniff test.
We still don’t have their documented rationale for needing to knock down an additional 53 homes and businesses on Ashburnham Road - including a GP surgery and the Dom Polski venue. Their Technical Note was promised more than two months ago.”
In addition to delays, Wootton highlighted concerns over minimal communication with the Council regarding public meetings, agenda sharing, and briefing schedules.
The East West Rail project is set to place Bedford at its centre, aiming to establish a critical connection in the Oxford-Cambridge rail corridor. Despite these criticisms, Mayor Wootton reaffirmed Bedford Borough Council’s support for the railway in principle but emphasised the importance of safeguarding resident interests.
Councillor Nicky Gribble has joined Council officers in direct engagement with residents on Ashburnham Road, knocking on doors and delivering letters to explain potential impacts of the railway project and reiterate the Council’s pledge to advocate for the local community.
Mayor Wootton said:
“We’ll continue to work with residents, to ensure that they are kept up to date, to make sure they aren’t railroaded. But they need to be open, honest and transparent – with residents, the community, and with the Council.”
This latest publication claiming progress under the ‘You Said, We Did’ initiative follows previous public outcry over planned demolitions in the area, and key concerns about the lack of transparent decision-making within EWR’s proposals.
A spokesperson for EWR told us:
“We recognise that it takes time to build trust however we remain committed to our intention of improving our communication with those impacted by our plans to transform the railway connections in Bedford.
“Bedford sits at the heart of the East West Rail route, and continued dialogue with the Council, residents and local organisations is essential. We will keep listening, working collaboratively and improving the way we engage as the project moves forward.”