Anthony has demanded the release of key documents ahead of the proposed East West Rail route announcement.
As part of the 2023 Budget, the Government confirmed that a proposed route would be announced in May, to be followed by further consultations. However, the East West Rail company has not responded to calls for a release of their business case and has yet to report back on the non-statutory consultation completed in June 2021.
The announcement comes following an interview between Anthony and the Secretary of State for Transport, who confirmed that the business case would have to “stack up” for East West Rail to progress to completion. South Cambridgeshire villages will be impacted by any East West Rail Route, including the emerging preference in 2021 and routes being proposed by campaigners.
Anthony has spent years campaigning on a number of issues relating to the route, making the case to flatten embankments, ensure no villages are isolated by road crossings, and to ensure diesel trains are not used on the railway.
Anthony later said: “As a mathematician by training, nothing worries me more than not seeing the numbers.
“Furthermore, this announcement has been badly handled. It comes out of the blue, and almost two years after the close of the last consultation. Where are the results? Where is the business case? These documents need careful consideration and scrutiny, and if this project is to move ahead all my constituents deserve answers to their questions.”
