Government's Short-Sightedness: Council Leader Calls for Crucial Rail Link to Aylesbury

In a bold statement, Council Leader Steven Broadbent has criticized the government for its refusal to approve a crucial rail link connecting the East West Rail route with Aylesbury, labeling it as “really short-sighted.” Despite a significant allocation of £2.5bn for the rail project in the latest Spending Review, the Department for Transport has determined that the link is ***not within the current scope*** of the project.

Broadbent, representing Buckinghamshire Council, has voiced frustrations over the disproportionate investment in transport infrastructure, noting that £15bn of funding has been predominantly directed towards the Midlands and North, while areas like Aylesbury are left with heavy congestion and inadequate transport options. He insists that the region deserves some of this funding to upgrade its infrastructure, particularly highlighting the inconvenience that residents face, as they often must rely on cars or buses to travel between Aylesbury and the newly built Winslow station.

The first segment of the East West Rail line, linking Oxford and Milton Keynes, is expected to open later this year and aims to eventually extend to Cambridge. Numerous local politicians, including Laura Kyrke-Smith, the current Labour MP for Aylesbury, have previously raised the issue of the Aylesbury spur, emphasizing its potential to bring economic and social benefits to the community.

In a response to Broadbent’s concerns, Natalie Wheble, director of communications at East West Rail, confirmed that while the spur is not part of the current business case, they are working to ensure that future designs do not eliminate the possibility of adding it later if the circumstances change. She reiterated that the £2.5bn allocated by the government will support daily operations for the project and does not signify additional funding. The debate around the Aylesbury link highlights ongoing tensions regarding transportation funding priorities across the UK.