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PROJECTS
East West Railway Company is nearing the end of a public consultation on the latest designs and plans for its project which will link Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge. With the first stage of the project completed on time and under budget, Chief Executive Officer David Hughes reflects on the journey so far and the plans for the year ahead
Resetting the narrative of building major rail projects
D
avid Hughes has spent his career to date delivering transport connections that both make a real difference to the lives of the communities they serve and boost economic growth as well. That is a journey that is continuing with his current role as Chief Executive Officer at East West Railway, a once-
in-a-generation opportunity to connect people and businesses between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge through a new direct rail line that is forecast to deliver a £6.7bn boost to the UK economy by 2050. “East West Rail will improve people’s everyday lives by creating more job opportunities, easier and
January 2025
quicker ways to get to work and enjoy days out, and more affordable places to live, while crucially boosting economic growth both across the route and the entire country,” he said. David joined the project in June from ARUP where he was Major Programmes Director. He has brought with him a long track record in developing