A £794 million investment package to reopen two important rail routes closed more than 50 years ago were announced last week by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The new funding includes £760 million for the delivery of the next phase of East West Rail. It also includes £34 million to rapidly progress plans to reopen the Northumberland line between Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ashington, which closed to passengers in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts.
The announcement forms part of the government’s commitments to build back better from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and level up transport infrastructure across the country by investing in rail connections that will boost economic growth, unlock new housing, and create jobs and opportunity.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "Restoring railways helps put communities back on the map, and this investment forms part of our nationwide effort to build back vital connections and unlock access to jobs, education and housing.
"Returning these routes to their former glory, and progressing work to reopen even more lines and stations shows our commitment to levelling up journeys across the country as we build back better from the pandemic."
Simon Blanchflower, Chief Executive Officer at East West Railway Company, said: "We are delighted that the government has shown a big commitment to East West Rail and the Oxford-Cambridge arc with today’s investment decision. This funding will enable us to get on with the construction work that will connect communities who live on the East West Rail link.
"We are committed to improving connectivity across the Oxford-Cambridge arc, and fully recognise our responsibility to ensure that it is delivered in a way that minimises disruption, supports the regional economy, maximises benefits and supports jobs across the region."
The funding marks an important milestone in the delivery of East West Rail, which will provide better connectivity along the Oxford-Cambridge arc and shorten journey times between routes outside of London, boosting economic growth and serving major new housing developments.
Patrick McMahon, senior partner at Bidwells, said: “The significance of the Government’s £760 million investment into reopening 20 miles of the Varsity Line cannot be downplayed. If the Oxford-Cambridge Arc region is going to compete on the global stage post-Brexit, joining up its many tech clusters will be crucial.
“The Government has made a number of policy announcements over the last year, including those at the 2020 Budget and in the National Infrastructure Strategy, that have committed ministers to reversing the infamous Beeching Cuts. The Arc’s passage to economic prosperity is going to be partly dependent on the Government’s commitment to this exact type of infrastructure investment.
“The Oxford-Cambridge Arc, which has the potential to contribute over £400bn to the UK economy by 2050, is home to some of the UK’s largest and most influential tech and life sciences businesses, including the likes of AstraZenaca, Apple and Amazon, and making sure they have access to high-quality talent must remain a priority.
“But as the Prime Minister himself mentioned in the introduction to the Spending Review in November, infrastructure on its own will not create growth. To create the new Cambridges, as the PM also calls for, we must also invest in skills, research and innovation.
“For the nation to bounce back after Covid-19, we are going to need our exciting clusters across the Arc to help lead that recovery, which means that targeted spending on all types of infrastructure will be necessary this year and beyond.”