Council Leader calls for Northampton to be included in East West Rail passenger plans

19 June 2026

West Northamptonshire Council has written to the Secretary of State for Transport urging the Government to include Northampton in the passenger service plans for East West Rail.

In a letter sent to the Rt Hon Heidi Alexander MP Council Leader, Cllr Mark Arnull, added the Council’s voice to growing cross-party calls for Northampton to benefit fully from the major national infrastructure project.

Despite existing rail infrastructure already carrying freight services to Northampton Gateway, there are currently no plans for passenger services for the town. The Council argues this exclusion places Northampton residents and businesses at a significant disadvantage.

The call comes at a critical moment, with decisions on the long-term service patterns for East West Rail approaching, and in light of the planned Universal UK resort development near Bedford, one of Europe’s largest future visitor destinations.

West Northamptonshire Council has highlighted that improved passenger connectivity would not only support access to the new resort but also unlock wider economic opportunities.

These include stronger links to employment hubs in Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Oxford, enhanced connectivity to Luton Airport, and a strengthened role for Northampton within the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor.

The Council is already working to maximise the benefits of East West Rail through its Rail Action Plan and regional collaboration with partners including England’s Economic Heartland.

However, it has stressed that these ambitions depend on Northampton being formally included in the passenger network.

Cllr Arnull said: “Northampton already has the infrastructure in place, with freight trains running on this route, yet our residents are currently excluded from using it. That simply cannot be right.

“The arrival of the Universal UK resort near Bedford makes this even more urgent. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect our communities to jobs, investment and growth, and we must not be left behind.

“We are calling on the Government to reconsider this position, work with us and our regional partners, and ensure Northampton is fully included in the long-term passenger vision for East West Rail.”

The letter formally calls on the Department for Transport to reconsider Northampton’s exclusion, engage directly with the Council before final decisions are taken, and work collaboratively with local MPs and regional stakeholders to secure a solution.

Cllr Arnull has also requested an early meeting with Ministers to discuss how Northampton can be incorporated into future plans and ensure local communities benefit from this nationally significant investment.