Value for Money

Investigation into the East West Rail project (Oxford – Cambridge)

Published 13 December 2023 11 recommendations Department for Transport, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government RailTransport nao.org.uk
Government needs to ensure its growth plans for Cambridge are aligned with its £6-7bn investment in a new regional railway (East West Rail, Oxford to Cambridge), so it can maximise the economic benefits of the line, a new report by the National Audit Office says.

Recommendations (11)

Source: NAO Recommendations Tracker
9
Accepted
4
Implemented
5
In Progress
11
NAO Confirmed
2
Awaiting Response
Department for Transport; HM Treasury
Rec 1 Response Pending
Through the new East West Rail Economic Growth Board, HM Treasury should lead on establishing a cross-government shared vision for supporting locally led development and growth associated with East West Rail. Through the Board, HM Treasury and relevant departments should facilitate the following. ? Establishing and mapping interdependencies between the various projects linked to development in the Oxford?Cambridge region, with clear ownership and processes for managing the interdependencies.
Page 10, a, first bullet Q3 2025-26 Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
Department for Transport
Rec 10 Accepted Implemented
EWR Co should continue to revisit its approach to local engagement to ensure the needs of all stakeholders are met, particularly those whose homes and businesses are affected.
Page 10, f Q1 2024-25
Department for Transport
Rec 11 Accepted Implemented
To maintain an affordable programme of work, DfT and EWR Co should reflect on learning from other recent rail projects and assure themselves that they have adequate controls and governance in place to monitor and manage costs.
Page 10, g Q1 2025-26
Department for Transport
Rec 2 Accepted Implemented
Through the new East West Rail Economic Growth Board, HM Treasury should lead on establishing a cross-government shared vision for supporting locally led development and growth associated with East West Rail. Through the Board, HM Treasury and relevant departments should facilitate the following. ? Reviewing and, if required, updating the approach to engaging with stakeholders in the region, including how proposals and plans for East West Rail are communicated and explained
Page 10, a, second bullet Q3 2025-26
Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
Rec 3 Accepted Work in Progress
DfT and DLUHC should work together on bringing forward a shared vision for growth in the Cambridge region, with future investment decisions on East West Rail and development in Cambridge taking account of progress on that vision.
Page 10, c Not completed
Department for Transport; HM Treasury
Rec 4 Response Pending
Through the new East West Rail Economic Growth Board, HM Treasury should lead on establishing a cross-government shared vision for supporting locally led development and growth associated with East West Rail. Through the Board, HM Treasury and relevant departments should facilitate the following. ? Setting out the critical success factors for achieving the intended benefits from East West Rail, including ownership and how progress will be monitored
Page 10, a, third bullet Q3 2025-26 Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government
Rec 5 Accepted Work in Progress
DfT and DLUHC should build on the new Board to establish effective cross-department governance that complements and bolsters the local stakeholder partnerships being created in the region, to focus on achieving the benefits of East West Rail.
Page 10, b Q3 2025-26 Department for Transport
Department for Transport
Rec 6 Accepted Work in Progress
DfT and EWR Co should ensure that the full business case for East West Rail incorporates a well-advanced plan for economic growth in the local areas impacted, including Cambridge, and that the projects are complementary and strategically aligned. It should include: ? a clear plan for how the vision set out by the East West Rail Economic Growth Board will be achieved
Page 10, d, first bullet Awaiting Opportunity
Department for Transport
Rec 7 Accepted Work in Progress
DfT and EWR Co should ensure that the full business case for East West Rail incorporates a well-advanced plan for economic growth in the local areas impacted, including Cambridge, and that the projects are complementary and strategically aligned. It should include: ? how East West Rail will contribute to economic growth in the region
Page 10, d, second bullet Awaiting Opportunity
Department for Transport
Rec 8 Accepted Work in Progress
DfT and EWR Co should ensure that the full business case for East West Rail incorporates a well-advanced plan for economic growth in the local areas impacted, including Cambridge, and that the projects are complementary and strategically aligned. It should include: ? the other projects and investments that DfT and EWR Co expect will need to occur to encourage economic growth, and how these are aligned.
Page 10, d, third bullet Awaiting opportunity
Department for Transport
Rec 9 Accepted Implemented
DfT and EWR Co should assess the options for how to power the trains on the route in the long term, setting out how the options align with DfT?s decarbonisation plans and provide cost-effective solutions.
Page 10, e Q3 2023-24