The Transport and Works Act 1992

The Transport and Works (Applications and Objections Procedure) (England and Wales) Rules 2006

Proposed Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR AN ORDER

Network Rail Infrastructure Limited (“Network Rail”) of 1 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 2DN, is applying to the Secretary of State for Transport under section 6 of the Transport and Works Act 1992, for the above-mentioned order under section 1 of that Act.

The draft order makes provision for the construction, operation and maintenance of a railway between Bicester and Bedford; Milton Keynes and Aylesbury to facilitate the operation of new passenger services between Oxford and Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.

The draft order will authorise the reinstatement of the partially disused Bicester-to-Bletchley-to-Bedford and Aylesbury-to-Claydon Junction routes, together with the construction of a new station at Winslow, platforms at Bletchley and Aylesbury Vale Parkway; and platform extensions at Woburn Sands and Ridgmont Stations. It is known as East West Rail Western Section Phase 2 (EWR2).

Works are proposed to be undertaken in the County of Oxfordshire (in the District of Cherwell), the County of Buckinghamshire (in the District of Aylesbury Vale) and in the County of Bedfordshire (in the District of Bedford, the District of Central Bedfordshire and the District of Milton Keynes).

The Order includes provisions for –

• the compulsory acquisition of land for the proposed works and ancillary purposes, including worksites; the acquisition of rights over specified land; provisions for the temporary use of land in connection with the authorised project; and the extinction and creation of private rights; and

• the operation and use of the railway; temporary and permanent stopping up of highways; closure of road level crossings; replacement and closure of footpath level crossings; provisions relating to streets, powers to carry out protective works to buildings on specified land; and powers to survey and investigate land.

This application is made subject to an environmental impact assessment.

The application contains a statement that a direction for deemed planning permission is being applied for.

Further information about the proposals can also be obtained by telephoning Network Rail’s national helpline on 0345 11 41 41.

Any objections to, or other representations about, the proposals should be sent to the Secretary of State for Transport c/o Transport and Works Act Orders Unit, General Counsel's Office, Department for Transport, Zone 1/18, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 4DR, email transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

An objection or representation MUST (i) be received by the Secretary of State on or before 7 September 2018, (ii) be made in writing (whether sent by post or email), (iii) state the grounds of the objection or other representation, (iv) indicate who is making the objection or representation, and (v) give an address to which correspondence relating to the objection or representation may be sent. (If you are sending your objection or other representation by e-mail, please provide a postal address and state "Network Rail East West Rail TWA Order" in the subject of the email.)

The Secretary of State may make complete copies of the objections and other representations public, including any personal information in them, and will copy them to the applicant for the Order.

Winckworth Sherwood LLP, Solicitors and Parliamentary Agents, Minerva House, 5 Montague Close, London SE1 9BB, on behalf of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited.

Date 27 July 2018