Mayoral Election – Candidate Positions on EWR

Background

There is an election for the Mayor of Cambridge and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) on 1 May 2025. This role has considerable influence on transport in Cambridgeshire and while other parts of local government are to be re-organised / consolidated over the next few years, the Westminster government are talking up the importance of the Mayors.

We think it’s important to understand the position of the candidates on East West Rail. Although it is a central government project, the attitude of the CPCA Mayor should have a significant influence on EWR.

It would have been good to have met all the candidates, but one way or another we at Cambridge Approaches only managed to meet two of them. We met Lorna Dupré, the Liberal Democrat candidate on 28 February 2025 for an hour and half in Ely and briefed her on what we have found out about the financial case for taking EWR to Cambridge. We also met the Conservative candidate Paul Bristow in Haslingfield on 7 March 2025 and went over the same material. We recently asked for a meeting with the Labour candidate Anna Smith but are still awaiting a reply. We have not yet asked for meetings with Bob Ensch the Green candidate or Ryan Coogan the Reform candidate although we have exchanged emails with them as explained below. We would like to meet them too.

The Cambridge Approaches position on EWR has not changed for a while and is explained here. We drew the attention of all candidates to that.

On 10 April 2025* we formally emailed all five candidates asking for their public position on taking EWR to Cambridge asking for a response by close of play on 17 April 2025. We also chased them for a response once. *We formally emailed Bob Ensch 11 April after getting some help with his contact details from Miranda Fyfe.

Well it’s the 18th April 2025 and this is what we have received!

Candidate Positions

Paul Bristow – Conservative

“I want to build light rail in Cambridge. That opens up a new option for East-West rail, which is still predicated on the need for a station at Cambourne. Light rail can connect Cambourne to Cambridge years before East-West rail could arrive. Instead of going via Cambourne, the mainline could take a quicker and cheaper route, much further to the south. This is a potential win-win solution for everyone. It removes the need for the planned route on high embankments through villages like Hardwick and Comberton, while still allowing East-West rail to go directly to Cambridge South. Because it saves money and time, it’s also a credible option for the Government, Network Rail and the EWR Company to consider. As Mayor, I will get this option investigated from day one. With the ambition for things like light rail, we can get solutions and get moving.“

I wanted to know what was meant by the route “much further south” and asked him if he meant the route in the sketch below (but there was also a railway from Bedford to Hitchin closed in 1964):

Paul Bristow clarified: “Without wanting to be publicly explicit, as the feasibility work needs to be done, yes – this isn’t a call to revive option A.“

Bob Ensch – Green

“I have said publicly in my campaign several times that if EWR is to be built, it should go north of Cambridge rather than south of it.  The Green Party locally agrees with Cambridge Approaches assessment that routing it north of Cambridge would be “cheaper, less environmentally damaging, easier to construct, and better for freight at all levels”.

It is understandable from CBC’s perspective that they’d like the route to connect with Cambridge South Station.  However, the argument for getting freight off the A14, is more compelling in my view, especially given that commuters to CBC could still get from Cambridge North to Cambridge South in only a few minutes if the connections are made to work.

These decisions should be made based on long-term benefits for the wider community, not short-term profits for developers!

You have my support.“

Anna Smith – Labour

We did receive acknowledgement of the request for a statement on EWR from Anna Smith after chasing. However, we have yet to receive a statement from her. If we get anything before the election we will aim to update this post.

*** Update *** We received this statement from Beth McKinlay and confirmed by email from Anna directly on 19 April 2025. “I believe that East West rail has the potential to deliver investment and create new opportunities for Cambridge and Cambridgeshire.

Connecting Cambridge with Oxford, Bedford and Milton Keynes, is a key part of developing the Oxford Cambridge Growth Corridor – creating jobs, homes and opportunities across Cambridgeshire. I believe that as Mayor, it would be my job to ensure that East West Rail works for us here in Cambridge. 

I’m pushing for EWR to be fully electric from day 1, and for every effort to be made to make sure those living near the route experience as little impact as possible.

That means that the stations are in the right places for where people live and work and that stations are properly connected to the rest of our transport network.”

Lorna Dupré – Liberal Democrat

We have not yet received a statement or acknowledgement from Lorna Dupré. Again, if we get anything before the election we will aim to update this post.

Ryan Coogan – Reform

“To Whom It May Concern,

RE: East West Rail Link to Cambridge – Ongoing Engagement and Strategic Considerations

I am writing in relation to the ongoing dialogue surrounding the East West Rail Link to Cambridge. As you are undoubtedly aware, this project represents a complex and multi-layered initiative that sits at the confluence of regional connectivity, long-term economic growth, and integrated transport solutions.

I fully acknowledge the breadth of views expressed from all corners of the community, and indeed beyond, as we continue to reflect upon the multiplicity of factors that must be taken into account. In such matters, it is imperative to maintain a holistic perspective—one that is as inclusive as it is forward-looking.

While it is still premature to comment on any one definitive pathway, we remain committed to a rigorous and transparent process that gives due consideration to all possibilities, no matter how wide-ranging or nuanced. In doing so, we are mindful of the evolving nature of infrastructure priorities in the current landscape, and how these must be balanced with the diverse aspirations of the communities we serve.

It is not simply a question of engineering or route alignment; rather, we must recognise the broader tapestry of regional development, intermodal potential, and long-term sustainability. It appears the current routing has issues failry broadly and we need to look at addressing those, As we continue to engage with stakeholders at every level, from parish councils to strategic transport forums, the dialogue remains both ongoing and iterative. I am committed to a fully integrated, sustainable, economically viable mass transit system for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

I greatly value all contributions to this important conversation and would like to reassure you that every view plays a vital part in informing the shape of things to come. Indeed, it is only through such robust and meaningful engagement that we can hope to arrive at a solution that is not only technically sound but also socially resonant.

In conclusion, we appreciate your continued interest and understanding as we work towards an outcome that, while not yet fully defined, remains firmly within our collective vision for a better-connected future.

With warm regards,

Ryan Coogan“

Please add your thoughts in the comments and vote wisely!

P.S. We are also working on some responses from County Council Candidates and aim to publish those soon.