Chiltern Railways has been confirmed as the operator for the first phase of East West Rail, with services between Oxford and Milton Keynes scheduled to begin later this year.
The appointment, announced by Rail Minister Peter, Lord Hendy on 25 March 2025, marks a significant milestone in delivering faster and more frequent rail connections across the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor. The new service is expected to support nearly 100 jobs at Chiltern and significantly boost local economies.
When fully completed, East West Rail is forecast to contribute £6.7 billion annually to economic growth in the region by 2050, supporting up to 28,000 jobs in Cambridge and unlocking major development potential along the route.
Initially, six stations will be served, reconnecting Oxford and Milton Keynes by rail for the first time in almost 60 years. Trains will call at Oxford Parkway, Bicester Village, Winslow, and a revitalised Bletchley station. The newly built Winslow station will return the town to the rail network for the first time since the 1960s.
Rail Minister Peter, Lord Hendy, said: “Appointing Chiltern Railways to run the first East West Rail services is one of the crucial last steps in getting the line up and running later this year. This milestone demonstrates that we are serious about unlocking the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and driving economic growth.”
Richard Allan, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, added: “We are delighted that Chiltern has been announced as the operator. The first stage of East West Rail will provide fast, direct train services between Oxford and Milton Keynes, supporting growth and opportunity across the region.”
David Hughes, CEO of East West Railway Co, commented: “This is a huge milestone which will allow Chiltern Railways to deliver a much-needed rail service linking the dynamic cities of Oxford and Milton Keynes. This is the first part of East West Rail’s broader vision to connect Bedford and Cambridge.”
Major construction for the first phase is now complete, including 70km of new track, 17 new bridges, and a modern signalling system. A recent 10-week public consultation explored future phases of East West Rail, which will see extensions to Bedford by 2030 and Cambridge by the mid-2030s, with greener hybrid battery-electric trains proposed to enhance sustainability.
