Campaigners feel 'let down' after Aylesbury spur is ignored in latest Government East West Rail debate

The Aylesbury spur was not mentioned during a lengthy Government debate celebrating the plans for the Oxford-Cambridge arc and the benefits of the multi-billion pound East West Rail project.

A spokesperson for the Oxon and Bucks Rail Action Committee said it “feels let down by the local MPs who should have raised the issue if they are really interested in the future of the area”.

Latest upgrades to the East West Rail project which were confirmed by the Government last month left out plans to provide passenger trains between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes.

Currently the scheme, which is costing an estimated £6.6 billion, is only transporting freight trains between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

It was revealed in 2023 that Aylesbury would not be included in the large scale project linking Cambridge and Oxford, which also offers new connections between Milton Keynes, Winslow, and Bedford.

Previously, Aylesbury was included in the plans, but the latest statement from rail minister Peter Hendy claims there is a ‘poor business case’ for running the rail link between the county town and MK. He also told Bucks Council that “significant unfunded investment and infrastructure improvements,” would be needed before the project could be greenlit.

In November, new upgrades to the scheme were confirmed by the Department for Transport, including a new station at the site of the mega Universal Studios theme park being constructed in Bedford and train station upgrades at other sites. But Aylesbury was excluded from the latest East West Rail boost.

On December 3, the House of Commons hosted a debate on the Oxford to Cambridge ‘growth corridor’. Laura Kyrke-Smith, Callum Anderson, Emily Darlington, and Chris Curtis, the MPs for Aylesbury, Buckingham and Bletchley, Milton Keynes Central, and Milton Keynes North, respectively, all attended.

Mr Curtis and Mr Anderson spoke at the debate, but neither mentioned Aylesbury in their speeches. The Milton Keynes North MP did not respond to a request to comment. Mr Anderson said he backs the Aylesbury expansion and has previously met with the rail minister to make the case for opening the rail link.

Ms Kyrke-Smith who did not speak during the debate, which also included comments from Oxfordshire-based politicians, said: “I have raised the Aylesbury Rail Link directly with the Secretary of State for Transport several times. Aylesbury deserves transport investment that supports growth, connectivity, and opportunity.”

She added that during the meeting with Lord Hendy she stated that the Government “must move forward” with the Aylesbury link. Ms Kyrke-Smith added: “I set out clearly how Aylesbury’s growing population presents a real opportunity for improved strategic transport links, and how the Aylesbury Link would help ensure that new homes are matched with the infrastructure our community needs to thrive.

“As I have said before, Aylesbury deserves both strong economic opportunity and reliable, sustainable transport. This rail link would unlock new jobs, improve journey times, and connect our community more effectively to the wider region: all essential to securing the prosperity local residents rightly expect.”

A spokesperson for Ms Darlington said she supports the Aylesbury link but is focused on central Milton Keynes rail projects.