Tory borough councillors have spoken out AGAINST an East West Rail hyperlink being opened up between Bedford and Cambridge.
One spoke of Bedford being “doomed” to struggling freight trains at night time whereas one other denied claims that the Conservatives had supported a northern route between the city and Cambridge.
East West Rail introduced its most well-liked route in March 2020 however at a gathering of the total council on Wednesday, a village consultant queried session over the route.
Learn:Economic boost as East West Rail confirmed to come to – and through – Bedford
The road would exit the city between Bedford and Clapham, earlier than heading east in direction of Ravensden and onwards in direction of the Tempsford, Roxton and Wyboston space.
Cllr Tom Wootton (Cons, Wyboston) requested if it was the council’s coverage to encourage the route to return via the center of Bedford, by way of Midland Station. Mayor Dave Hodgson confirmed.
Cllr Michael Headley (Lib Dem, Putnoe), a borough consultant on the rail consortium, stated it had been the “lengthy standing place of the council, with cross social gathering assist, for East West Rail to serve Bedford Midland Station.”
He then reeled off a collection of insurance policies going again so far as 2011 when this has been the case.
“Lots of which have been out for intensive public session via the native plan course of,” he stated.
“To bypass Bedford would lose a whole lot of the financial advantages that might in any other case stream in our path,” stated Cllr Headley.
However Cllr Wootton stated he “disputed the advantages to the city of getting the road come via Bedford.”
He added: “No person has talked about the elephant within the room, which is freight. It’s going to be constructed for freight from the east coast.
“What the mayor’s determination really has performed is doom Bedford to be a rail hub within the night and at night time. We’re going to have heavy freight trains working all night time and thru all these northern villages.”
However the mayor hit again by saying that it was a “worrying assertion” for a consultant of the villages to make and admit he had not seen the paperwork or learn them.
Cllr Headley, who represents the borough on the mission board, stated: “I’m shocked that you simply’ve immediately found that freight trains use railway strains in addition to passenger trains.
“They already use the prevailing line via Bedford.”
He added that the plan is for a quick passenger railway between Oxford and Cambridge, serving Bedford, which might carry “large advantages” to the borough.
“I’m really flabbergasted by the dialog that we’re listening to tonight,” he added.
“That is the primary time I’ve heard any Conservative councillors on this council argue that there’s some downside with the East West railway line coming via Bedford.”
Cllr Alison Foster (Cons, Harrold) stated: “He’s completely incorrect – all Conservative councillors didn’t assist a route coming into Bedford city.
“So far as I’m conscious nearly all of Conservative councillors supported the route south of Bedford.”
by David Tooley
Native Democracy Reporter
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