From railways to rollercoasters: planning the East’s multi-billion pound boom

Jul 7, 2025

The Chancellor has been backing infrastructure growth across the East as a key to unlocking wider economic development. What does this mean for industry? DevComms’ head of East Jade Uko explores.

Making sense of the array of new infrastructure projects, many of which are long awaited, is going to be crucial over the next decade.

Having spent over a decade of my life championing many of them, I now want to see them realised with boots on the ground. Can I wear heels?

East West Rail

Let’s start with my favourite pet East infrastructure project: East West Rail. Why? you ask. For selfish reasons obviously, I spend way too much time on roads between Oxford and Cambridge and would prefer to read my Kobo e-reader and cut my carbon footprint feeling pleased with myself instead of internalising road rage at constant roadworks.

Helping to unlock growth potential along the corridor is only of secondary importance.

It goes without saying that East West Rail was always going to deliver massive housing growth along the corridor. New towns are likely to be announced in July along the preferred route.

But Universal Bedford has thrown a spanner in the works as planners struggle to ensure that the route maximises this potential for visitors. Could we see a route change?

Anglian Water infrastructure programme

I drink a lot of water so another vested interest I need to declare here. Anglian Water is investing £11 billion over five years to unlock housing growth and address existing issues.

This investment is expected to support the delivery of over 720,000 new homes in the east over the next 20 years. This includes new ‘water grid’ pipelines in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex and two new reservoirs in Lincolnshire and the Fens.

What does this mean for the industry? Fewer objections at planning submission stage and supply chain opportunities across the areas of improvements.

Lower Thames Crossing

Planning permission was finally granted in March 2025 for a new 14.5 mile tunnel under the Thames, connecting the A2/M2 in Kent to the M25 in Essex.

The project is likely to trigger a new ‘logistics hub’ and industrial development near the crossing and we could see Local Plan updates where increased traffic and development is likely to have a significant impact.

From a residential perspective, there is likely to be a boost in development along the A13 and A127 corridors with renewed interest in Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood.

Sizewell C

Going nuclear in Suffolk, Sizewell C has secured over £14bn of investment to deliver enough energy to power six million homes. The investment will trigger around £100bn in economic value and support over 70,000 jobs.

Impacted local authorities are revising transport and housing plans to support long-term population growth including road and rail links as well as growth in temporary and permanent housing demand and educational facilities.

Universal Bedford

Not infrastructure strictly speaking (unless rollercoasters count as rail), the park will trigger major highways, rail and investment to support delivery and operation.

We have touched on the impact of East West Rail but the Government halted works at the new nearby Wixams station to look at an expanded offer to facilitate trains directly from Europe.

Bedford’s Local Plan will need to start from scratch and will need to grapple with the challenges of infrastructure, tourism and hospitality.

Other surrounding councils are considering how they can harness the huge economic development potential and growth that the park will bring.

This is my whistle stop tour of East infrastructure. If you want a deep dive into any of these, do not hesitate to get in touch at j.uko@devcomms.co.uk