Ten things we have learnt about East West Rail

East West Rail has begun a consultation and unveiled more details of its route plans

Long-awaited details of a multi-billion-pound rail project which would link two university cities were unveiled this week.

East West Rail (EWR) will eventually link Oxford and Cambridge via Milton Keynes and Bedford, impacting four counties.

The proposals involved building stations, closing others, creating new tunnels and demolishing homes.

Here are 10 things we have learnt this week.

1. New stations would open

New stations will be built including in the south of Cambridge, Cambourne, Cambridgeshire and Tempsford, Bedfordshire.

We already knew these stations were due to open, but EWR has confirmed the Cambourne station will be north of the A428 and St Neot's Road.

It has also said Cambridge station would get a new platform, platform extensions, footbridges and building upgrades.

2. Other stations could be closed

Some stations between Bletchley, Milton Keynes, and Bedford, on the Marston Vale line, could be closed with combined stations built instead.

It is not yet clear which ones would be closed and where the new ones would be built.

EWR said it was still considering retaining the existing stations in their current locations.

The line will provide a direct link between the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge

3. Some stations will be rebuilt

Bedford station would be redeveloped with a public plaza at the front of the station and a new multi-storey car park.

There would be temporary parking on railway land to the south of Ford End Road during the construction.

New stations are planned to be built, including one north of Cambourne, Cambridgeshire

4. New tunnels are planned

A 1.5km (0.9 mile)  tunnel has been planned to the east of Cambourne station, underneath the A428 and a proposed development at Bourn Airfield in Cambridgeshire.

Another 700m (770 yards) tunnel has been planned through Chapel Hill near the Cambridgeshire villages of Harlton and Haslingfield, which EWR said would protect Barbastelle bats living in the area.

5. As well as viaducts

The plans include a new 1.1km (0.68 mile) viaduct north of Bedford over the River Great Ouse and Paula Radcliffe Way, and a 1.6km (one mile) viaduct near the Black Cat roundabout to cross over the A421, Bedford Road and A1, among others.

Also planned is a 2.4km (1.5 mile) viaduct near Tempsford, Bedfordshire.

6. Plans for how the trains will turn around

There will be space made for trains to turn around when they get to Cambridge station in the suburb of Cherry Hinton, which is to the east of the train station.

This is for passengers to get off at Cambridge and trains continue to Cherry Hinton to turn around, rather than do so at Cambridge station.

7. Roads will be realigned – or closed

In Bedfordshire, Ampthill Road, Cauldwell Street, Ford End Road, Bromham Road and A6 Great Ouse Way will be realigned to separate the railway and the A6.

Several roads that lead to the A428 near St Neots will also be realigned, but this was already the plan as part of the upgrade works on that road.

EWR also confirmed Harlton Road in south Cambridgeshire would be "slightly realigned" to the south on a new bridge.

8. Some homes would be demolished

The number of properties that will need to be demolished in Bedfordshire is confirmed at 37 and the overall number of properties likely to be acquired and demolished, or lose part of their land, has increased from 66 to 75.

Many more properties will be impacted if they are close to the proposed line, and EWR has said it will be carrying out landscape and visual impact assessments.

For people hoping to sell their property, EWR has introduced statutory blight provisions, which allows property owners to request that their land is bought at market value.

This also means people in certain areas may be able to serve EWR with a "blight notice" asking them to buy the property before they need it to build the railway.

Universal Destinations and Experiences plans to open an all-year-round park near Bedford

9. Theme park plans did not feature

Provisions for connecting a proposed Universal theme park at Kempston Hardwick in Bedfordshire did not feature in EWR's consultation.

EWR said it was discussing the proposals with Universal Destinations & Experiences and Bedford Borough Council and considering the implications of the theme park and resort for the railway.

10. There are 10 weeks to have your say

EWR's consultation is open until 25 January.

The organisation is holding several drop-in and online events along the route as well as inviting people's feedback.