Concerns Rise Over Wildlife Impact of East West Rail Project Supported by Chancellor

The proposed East West Rail project, championed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, is increasingly under scrutiny due to its potential repercussions on local wildlife, particularly the barbastelle bats. Recently, Cambridgeshire County Council expressed alarm over the possible severe consequences of the rail route, warning it could be "unacceptable" and could lead to a dramatic decline in bat populations, including the risk of losing critical maternity roosts.

In a recent address focused on economic growth, the Chancellor emphasized her commitment to new infrastructure initiatives, including the rail link between Oxford and Cambridge. She openly criticized regulations designed to protect wildlife, stating that they hinder developers and urging a shift in focus towards construction rather than wildlife concerns.

Despite these assertions, the designers of the East West Rail project claim they have proactively addressed environmental concerns by establishing a specialized "bat house" for various bat species, intended to substitute the old Swanbourne Station. The government projects that the new rail line will significantly enhance the economy between Oxford and Cambridge, estimating an economic boost of £6.7 billion annually by 2050, while promising a travel time reduction to 90 minutes.

While the Cambridgeshire County Council supports the initiative for its potential benefits in employment and housing, they remain apprehensive about the inevitable losses to wildlife, particularly in sensitive areas like Wimpole and Eversden Woods. Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, criticized the Chancellor's approach, suggesting that her rhetoric pits environmentalists against developers and diminishes the value of wildlife conservation.

Benwell highlighted the long delays and costly mistakes of the HS2 project regarding rare bats, warning that a similar disregard for nature could lead to repeated failures in the East West Rail project. He contended that the solution lies not in deregulation but rather in proactive restoration efforts for natural ecosystems.

Five years prior, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson claimed that bureaucratic procedures surrounding wildlife assessments were impeding housing development, a point later dismissed by environmental experts who indicated that no substantial evidence supported such claims. Craig Bennett, from the Wildlife Trusts, described the notion as "pure fiction," underlining the ongoing contention between development interests and environmental preservation.