Railway is a tale of two halves in Cambridgeshire

Rebecca and Philip Rayner say that East West Rail's tunnel plans will destroy some of their farmland

A brother-and-sister farming duo have said a multi-billion-pound railway project could tunnel through 200 acres (80 hectares) of their land.

East West Rail (EWR) is a project to link Oxford and Cambridge by rail, which includes building a new track in countryside between Cambourne and Cambridge.

Philip and Rebecca Rayner, who grow oats near Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, said they would be directly impacted by plans to build a tunnel near the village.

EWR said the tunnel would reduce the "visual and environmental impact" compared with building above ground.

Long-awaited details of the project's impact in Cambridgeshire and a public consultation went live on Thursday.

Historical family farm

Mr and Miss Rayner said they feared for the farmland their family has held for many generations.

"They're pretty much going to wipe out this whole field, including our historical family farm," said Mr Rayner.

EWR has confirmed it plans to tunnel through Chapel Hill, on which the Rayners' farmland sits.

"This is a very big hill, with a Bronze Age barrow in the middle, and bats flying around," said Mr Rayner.

EWR said a tunnel was the preferred option to protect Barbastelle bats living in the area and avoid "significant construction works" by going above ground.

Miss Rayner said the proposed route could impact their whole business operation, as well as the 65 people who work for them.

"It'll cost us dearly," she said, adding: "I don't believe that this particular route is the best."

Christina and Claire work in Cambourne, where a new train station will be built

About 12 miles (19km) away from the Rayners' farm, a relatively new town will be getting a train station for the first time.

EWR has plans for a stop just outside Cambourne, north of the A428, which would introduce a rail link to Cambridge in 15 minutes.

The company said this would support the town's future growth and reduce congestion.

A 2023 report from EWR has suggested Cambourne's population of 9,200 could increase to nearly six times that size.

"I don't think it could possibly get any bigger," said Claire, who has lived in the town for 20 years.

Claire was generally happy about EWR's plans for Cambourne.

"If it's going to generate more jobs and things like that, that's got to be a positive thing," she said.

Christina, who works in Cambourne, was not so sure.

"I don't know, I think there's not much for anyone to do in Cambourne," she said.

Cambourne will get an out-of-town station as part of EWR's plans

David Hughes, the EWR's chief executive, said the project would provide "faster, easier and more reliable journeys to Cambridge - particularly from Bedford and Cambourne – which will improve access to jobs, education and days out".

He encouraged people to read the organisation's consultation page and go along to one of its public events, which were happening between now and January.

"Share your views to help us refine our designs further so East West Rail can best serve its local communities," he said.

East West Rail has proposed a route that goes south before reaching Cambridge