FUNDING worth £794 million for two key rail projects has been announced by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps.
The major tranche of the funding, £760m, will be for the completion of phase 2 of the East West Rail link project and cover track and signalling upgrades between Bicester, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Bedford. The money will cover the cost of anew station at Winslow as well enhancements to existing stations.
Criticism
The project is tendering for diesel rolling stock and the start of a two trains per hour service from Oxford to Milton Keynes, which is now envisaged to start in 2025. The two would be connected for the first time since 1968.