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East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has unveiled a revised proposal for a new railway line in Cambridgeshire. The new route could connect Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge and will deliver up to five trains an hour.

The updated plans now factor in the new Universal Resort near Bedford and the anticipated heightened passenger demand resulting from the development. A station at Stewartby has been planned to serve the theme park. Gidon Freeman, Vice-President, External Affairs, Universal Destinations and Experiences, said: "One of the reasons we selected our site for a new entertainment resort complex featuring a world-class theme park is its central location and excellent transport links.

"East West Rail can further improve that connectivity - its proposed station by Universal would enhance guest and team member arrival with a new link to our resort from across the Ox-Cam Corridor."

The railway line is set to be constructed in phased stages, with new stations and sections of track opening as soon as they are completed. EWR Co hopes this approach will accelerate the benefits of the line for local communities and passengers alike, while also unlocking growth opportunities such as new housing developments and attracting businesses to the region.

The core service will deliver four five-carriage trains per hour throughout the entire route with an additional fifth train operating during peak periods or all day, if necessary. The fifth train could be utilised to facilitate service extensions to and from destinations on the rail network beyond the EWR route.

The latest developments include a new entrance to Cambridge Station proposed to help make access more straightforward and deliver step-free access to all platforms. It will also feature bike storage, landscaping and street enhancements such as seating and lighting.

The new Cambridge East Station is planned to be near Cambridge City Airport to help link the wider region through an improved Newmarket line, and will ease pressure on Cambridge Station. A new position on the north side of St Neots Road for the Cambourne station has been suggested to "enable a greater degree of development close to the station".

Modifications have been proposed for the height of the railway between Bourne Brook and Harlton to be lowered by six metres , and a green bridge will be constructed over the railway on the A603 Cambridge Road. The length of the tunnel commencing at Harlton Road has extended from 700m to 940m.

Hybrid electric and battery-equipped trains are scheduled to run along the railway to cut emissions and support net-zero objectives. Fulbourn could become the location for a train care centre where trains can be stored overnight and maintained, although alternative sites are being examined.

EWR Co is now inviting feedback on the updates, with responses from the consultation to be considered before the railway designs are finalised, ahead of the submission of a Development Consent Order in 2027.

The consultation will run from April 14 until June 9, with a series of public drop-in events being held to provide people with further information about the revised proposals.

David Hughes, CEO, East West Railway Company, said: "These updated proposals mark a major step forward for East West Rail to help ensure communities see the benefits of the project sooner as we finalise the design.

"More frequent and higher-capacity trains alongside a new station at Cambridge East and a new entrance at Cambridge station, will help unlock housing, support new jobs and attract investment, while giving residents and businesses better connections to Bedford, Milton Keynes and Oxford and wider destinations across the country.

"By bringing forward key elements of the railway and planning for increased demand, we are helping to ensure the infrastructure is in place to support future growth and opportunities for our communities. I encourage residents, businesses and stakeholders to take part in the consultation and share their views on our latest plans."