The Environment Agency has been appointed as the Lead Environmental Regulator for the East West Rail project, creating a single coordinating body responsible for environmental guidance and approvals.
The decision forms part of a wider “regulation reset” introduced by the government, aimed at accelerating planning decisions for major infrastructure schemes while maintaining environmental protections.
Under the new arrangement, the Environment Agency will act as the central point of contact for environmental regulation linked to the project. Instead of East West Rail having to work separately with multiple regulatory bodies, the agency will now coordinate advice and approvals across the relevant organisations.
Project leaders say the change will streamline the approval process and allow the scheme to move forward more efficiently. East West Rail is intended to improve connections between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, while also supporting economic growth and enabling the development of thousands of new homes across the region.
David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co, said:
“We warmly welcome the appointment of a Lead Environmental Regulator for East West Rail. This single point of contact will make a huge difference, as it will ensure that key decisions can be made efficiently and effectively. Crucially, this will deliver momentum for the construction of the railway, helping us deliver infrastructure that works for nature and communities, allowing the region to feel the economic and social benefits of East West Rail far sooner than would have otherwise been the case.”
Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:
“Having one Lead Environmental Regulator in charge speeds up approvals and helps projects like East West Rail to progress at pace, without compromising our ironclad commitment to the environment. This is a win-win situation for jobs, prosperity and nature.”
Image: East West Rail
