A first look into the new East West Rail line, proposed to run through Cambridgeshire, has been unveiled.

A public consultation into the proposed railway project, which would stretch from Oxford to Cambridge, has begun. People living near to the project are invited to have their say on the plans.

Updated proposals have been unveiled alongside the consultation launch, which indicates some changes through Cambridgeshire.

A temporary rail logistics hub is proposed for the route between Roxton and the east of St Neots. This would connect with the proposed alignment and the East Coast Main Line to make sure construction material can be transported by rail.

There are plans to upgrade the Cambridge station and the facilities there to accommodate for four passenger trains per hour, including two new railway tracks next to the West Anglia Main Line from Shepreth Junction to Cambridge Station, as well as a new platform, platform extensions, footbridges and building upgrades.

New stations at Tempsford and Cambourne are both on the cards as well. There are two design options for the Tempsford station, while the Cambourne station has been designed to make it easier and quicker to travel to Cambridge. 

There are two new options for a station at Tempsford.There are two new options for a station at Tempsford. (Image: East West Rail) The Cambourne station has also been planned to help ease congestion in the area, bring more people into work in Cambridge, and support the growth of Cambourne.

The latest phase of the project also gives an indication into the proposed operating hours of the scheme. It is anticipated that passenger services would run between 6am and midnight from Monday to Thursday, between 6am and 1am from Friday to Saturday, and between 7am and 11pm on a Sunday.

Anyone interested in having their say in the public consultation can do so online via the East West Rail website. The consultation will run until January 24, 2025.

An in-person event will be held at St Neots Town Football Club on January 7 from 2pm-7pm.