Part of the line between Oxford and Bicester has already “opened”.

The next phase will be running trains further north and east of Oxford, to Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

Trains are being tested at the moment and the first services are due to begin running in 2025.

The government has said that trains between Bedford and Oxford would run from 2030.

But completing the line all the way to Cambridge – Stage 3 of the project – would take much longer.

EWR says that before it can build the section between Bedford and Cambridge, it needs to apply for a development consent order, which is also needed to carry out other upgrades between Bedford and Oxford.

And before consent can be given, consultations need to take place with the public, landowners and local authorities that could be affected by the project.