EWR Visit to Poets

On 15th October the much overdue and much anticipated visit from Simon Blanchflower and representatives from EWR took place.

The walkabout started at Midland Mainline Station and continued into Poets, via Spencer, Milton, and Sidney Road, stopping at Milne Row and Chesterton Mews,

No members of Protect Poets or local residents were invited to accompany the walkabout which was lead by MP Mohammad Yasin and included Cllrs Jackson and Atkins, We are currently awaiting a summary of the points raised and feedback gathered during this walkabout from our local councillors and will share it as soon as it is available,

Following the walk the group (minus Cllr Atkins due to health reasons) proceeded to St Cuthberts Hall for a meeting with 44 members of the public. Predominantly made up of Poets residents who were given priority one member of the Bfare group was present and additional members gathered outside in a peaceful protest against the proposed Route E and consultation process.

A report of the meeting can be hours here courtesy of the Bedford Independent

Bfare also published the below summery of the meeting which gives an indication of what took place.

"Angry residents of Poets, Bedford met East West Railway arranged by MP for Bedford & Kempston Mr. Mohammad Yasin.

Simon Blanchflower & Will Gallagher in attendance with other members of East West Rail in Bedford yesterday 15/10/201 at St Cuthbert’s hall. Bedford

A total of 44 people attended the meeting with a small number of the BFARE action group who were not invited into the meeting but demoed outside the hall. Residents of Poets and members of the council attended including Councillors Ben Foley, Lucy Bywater (Green party) Louise Jackson (Labour) and MP Mohammad Yasin (Labour, chair). Cllr Colleen Atkins (Labour) was not present but had participated in escorting the East West railway representatives on a guided tour of the Poets area of town earlier that morning. During the 45 minute meeting the majority of residents voiced views that included the destruction of homes, property values decreasing, the need to sell scheme being insufficient and breaking up the community.

The not knowing and for how much longer is quite clearly taking its toll on residents. People will be priced out of buying in the area, resulting in them moving further away from family, friends, and the train station. Having to use a car to get to the train station when they originally moved to the area because of the proximity of the train station.

In 2021, we're all being encouraged to NOT use motor vehicles, yet people will be forced to by destroying their homes. Residents who rent in the area are not considered throughout any of the packages available to homeowners. It's as equally distressing for them. A home, whether it is rented or purchased, is not just bricks and mortar. Will Gallagher (Strategy Director, East West Railway Company) stated that as the project progresses, different levels of certainty of the route will provide different levels of schemes available to those affected by the chosen route. Residents also worry about the prospect of Bromham Road bridge demolition and rebuild to accommodate six tracks. People in the area are still reeling after the closure for several months so that Network Rail could electrify the existing line.

'Connectivity' was the buzzword of the day. It was interesting to hear that 'six track' was originally looked at being west of MML so Queens Park would face demolition, before deciding to the east, resulting in Poets being issued with CPOs. Placing the tracks to the east works favourably for route E, branching off MML and heading towards North Bedfordshire. With rail passenger numbers not returning to pre-covid levels, Blanchflower stated that it is anticipated to return, so the demand will be there in the future.

A resident stated that they did not receive EWR 2019 consultation postcard, so route E and the anticipated destruction only came to light after CPOs were received by Poet’s residents. With passenger demand not being a current justification, what is driving the project, where is the business case? Is EWR Co connectivity project really to justify Ox-Cam arc mass housing developments, predominantly for freight or to carry waste to Covanta?

Is it not counterproductive to demolish homes so that more people will use cars to travel to the station as they will be living further away?

What we have learnt today Early 2022 publication for route selection Summer 2022 statutory consultation 2024/2025 DCO submission

Blanchflower didn't really answer any questions from residents beyond “we're still looking at the consultation submissions of over 9k". Ray Schofield, a supporter of EWR and rail enthusiast, stated that the project can be achieved with four tracks, even with increased numbers of trains. Yasin acted as chair to dampen down tempers when it got heated, which occurred a few times. Surprisingly, no-one asked about pollution, but the topic of hybrid locomotives got a mention, "we're looking into it". All in all, nothing new, smoke & mirrors and a tick box exercise by EWR Co.

As a resident of Brickhill, I walked away feeling angry on behalf of residents in Poets, they gained no reassurances and it's very obvious that residents feel incredibly let down by Councillors Jackson and Atkins.

Nikki Mellonie BFARE Comms team

From a very unsatisfactory Zoom meeting this resident had with EWR back in June we were told we would know the fate of our homes by late 2021 early 2022. It now appears that may not be know until next summer. Leaving us in a state of unsertainty for over 15 months!