We are disappointed with the announcement today on the preferred East West Rail route. This will mean dozens or homes will be demolished, and many more residents affected.
Bedford & Kempston Conservative Association is not and has never been against the EWR project. We are however concerned that this appalling decision is made on the back of a poorly executed consultation on plans that were backed by our previous Lib Dem and Labour council administration as well as our current MP.
East West Rail has the portenial to do so much good for our area. Our team will work with our Parliamentary Spokesperson Pinder Chauhan and Mayor Tom Wootton to stand up for local residents. We need to make sure that our town gets the benefit of this major infrastructure project while minimising the loss of homes and reducing disturbance to residents.
Today’s decision will be worrying to local residents around our town including Poet’s area, Brickhill and the villages around Bedford & Kempston. Our team alongside Pinder and Tom are here to listen to residents.
Mayor Tom Wootton said, “I’m appalled at the decision taken by East West Rail and the impact that it’s going to have on Bedford residents and those in the northern villages. Following the announcement, I will be working tirelessly to urge EWR to reconsider their decision and take into account the people that they are affecting. With a public consultation on the way, I pledge to use my voice to make sure that the people of our great borough are heard and accounted for.”
Pinder Chauhan said “Today EWR have announced that they will be pushing through their Route E Plan, putting dozens of homes in Bedford and across the constituency at risk of demolition and disturbance, especially in Brickhill and Poets. While I am not against EWR, I am completely opposed to a poorly consulted plan agreed by the former Lib Dem Mayor, the current MP, for Bedford and Kempston Mohammad Yasin, and former Council Executive of the Labour and Lib Dem Councillors, many of whom represent the affected areas. I am working with the Mayor of Bedford, Tom Wootton to discuss next steps and am open to discussing this with residents through this distressing time.”
