East West Rail MVLA

The current programme of work planned for the Marston Vale line is preparatory activity being carried out under the existing East West Rail Bicester to Bedford Transport and Works Act Order, which was issued in 2020. This is separate from the upgrade plans for the Marston Vale Line which East West Rail recently shared details of as part of the Consultation 2026 process. 

This programme of work is being delivered by the East West Rail Alliance, a partnership made up of Network Rail, AtkinsRéalis, Laing O’Rourke and VolkerRail. This order authorises Network Rail to upgrade the existing Marston Vale Line between Bicester, Bletchley and Bedford.

This work is known as the Marston Vale Acceleration Programme and includes:

The replacement of the Saxon Street bridge which crosses the B4034 between Bletchley and Fenny Stratford 

Construction of 1 new overbridge at Marston Road, Lidlington and 1 new footbridge at Woburn Road

8 level crossing closures and associated traffic diversions.

Once complete, by 2030, this work will enable East West Rail to implement its full programme of upgrades to the Marston Vale line, subject to a successful Development Consent Order application. This includes upgrading and electrifying the line, enabling up to four trains per hour to run between Oxford and Stewartby by the early 2030s.

The programme also includes the construction of four modern, fully accessible stations, including a new station at Stewartby to serve the Universal Entertainment Resort Complex, as well as improvements to Bletchley station. Accelerating this part of the programme means train services could begin operating within the first few years of the park opening, in line with the expected increase in passenger demand.