UK: Oxford to Cambridge railway corridor project promoter East West Railway Co has published a prior information notice seeking specialist partners to support the planning of the Bedford to Cambridge section, which is it envisaged could open in the mid-2020s.
The government’s 2018 budget allocated £20m for the development of a strategic outline business case for what is designated as the Central Section of the revived rail corridor between Oxford and East Anglia.
Organisations with expertise in areas including project management, engineering design and rail systems can register for an engagement session to be held in February.
EWRC said it was ‘keen to innovate and challenge the status-quo where appropriate’, and would be ‘seeking to explore different ways of working with the market as part of our engagement exercise.’
‘It’s a unique opportunity to be involved in shaping the project from the outset’, said Chief Executive Simon Blanchflower on January 18. ‘This is not the “same old” approach; we want to build lasting partnerships and a motivated supply chain who will together help us deliver this exciting new railway line. Today we are kicking off genuine engagement with the market – not just briefing them on our plans but listening to them about how we can best unlock their expertise to support our project. We are determined to learn the lessons of the past and harness new innovations for the future.’
