PLANS to build a new railway line between Oxford and Cambridge have taken a step forward.

Multinational design and engineering firm Arup has been appointed to lead a consortium which will design the track and lead public consultation work.

Arup was appointed to lead the work by the East West Railway Company.

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Before Arup can begin its work, a preferred route for the new rail line needs to be decided.

The first part of the preferred route is expected to be published by the end of this year.

It will give details of where the track will be laid between Bedford and Cambridge.

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Simon Blanchflower, chief executive at East West Railway Company, said: “I am delighted that we’ve made this appointment now, because it will enable us to keep working at pace as soon as the preferred route has been selected later this year.

“Our project has a unique business model and we wanted to appoint an engineering partner as committed as we are to test out new ways of working on the UK’s most exciting new railway project.”

The appointment of Arup has been described as a significant step forward for the scheme, as it is the first major support contract to be awarded.