The revitalized railway line connecting Corby to London, initially launched as a reopened segment off the Midland Mainline, has dramatically multiplied its passenger count while simultaneously unlocking numerous investment prospects. This transformation serves as a powerful example of what East West Rail could potentially bring to regions spanning Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge, according to area business and council leaders.
This line, operational since 2009 and managed by East Midlands Railway (EMR), serves as a vital conduit between Corby and London, touching several key locations such as Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton, and Luton Airport Parkway—where passengers can transition seamlessly to the DART service for direct airport terminal access.
Given its popularity, Network Rail took steps to electrify the line and enhance its capacity in 2021, effectively doubling the frequency of service. These enhancements have significantly spurred growth and revitalization in Corby, catalyzing both job creation and further investment opportunities.
Proponents of East West Rail, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves who has recognized the project within the Government’s vision for an Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor, anticipate it will deliver comparable benefits. This railway is expected to facilitate faster, eco-friendly travel between Oxford and Cambridge, augmenting job creation—especially in the tech and life sciences sectors—and improving access to affordable housing.
From its inception, the line operated hourly services, but burgeoning demand led to its upgrade and electrification, culminating in a service frequency that now accommodates half-hourly departures. This enhancement has seen passenger figures skyrocket from nearly 118,000 in the 2009/10 period to over 498,000 in 2023/24, showcasing the significant role that enhanced connectivity plays in urban regeneration and economic growth, as recognized by local authorities.
Sean Rose, Head of Policy at Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Corby has transformed. We’ve got new businesses moving into the town, new people investing in Corby and that is what the railway can do. It can unlock levelling up that really makes a difference for businesses and the local economy.”
Jason Smithers, Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, has seen many benefits that the line has brought to Corby. He said: “It was a massive impact. If you look at what that regeneration project has delivered, the railway station, you talk about the station quarter and all the building that’s going on there.
“A railway station is crucial to the economy of any town or city. Doctor Beeching, in his wisdom, removed a lot of smaller branch lines, which wasn’t really a long-term vision that’s held this country where it should be. So having more of these schemes in smaller towns and cities would be great.”
Naomi Green, Managing Director, England’s Economic Heartland, said: “Corby Station demonstrates the significant potential of rail to transform the places it serves – unlocking improvements to quality of life and growing economic prosperity which traditional appraisal methods sometimes fail to adequately capture.
“Likewise, East West Rail will transform our region – boosting our economy, reducing reliance on the car and removing barriers to accessing jobs and services. With the right door-to-door connectivity and seamless integration, these benefits will be felt by a wide catchment of communities and businesses. Indeed, people living in Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough will be just a short journey away from connecting into services to Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford and Bedford.”
The new railway has also allowed more people to come and live and do business in the town. In fact, when the line first opened, a marketing campaign which branded Corby as ‘North Londonshire’ targeted the capital with the aim of attracting Londoners to move to Corby not just to live, but to also work and do business, providing a further boost to the local economy.
Mark Redding, Communications, Communities, Partnerships and Marketing Manager for Urban & Civic, which manages Corby’ Priors Hall Park development, said: “We have examples of people who saw those adverts going up on the tube, come up to ‘North Londonshire’ on the train, saw what we have here, loved it and moved up here. They’ve moved their businesses up here as well.
“We know that connectivity is a really important thing for local people when they are looking for places to buy a new home or settle down so being able to be so close to that connectivity is a real benefit for people here at Priors Hall Park.”
David Hughes, CEO, EWR Co, said: “The reopened railway line to Corby is a strong case study in the transformational power of investing in rail infrastructure to drive prosperity, more job opportunities and help regenerate towns and cities. East West Rail can emulate this by delivering similar benefits to places like Bicester, Bedford and Milton Keynes, whilst also providing vital connectivity for the science and business communities in both Oxford and Cambridge.”
