Transport chief urges rail focus for Universal theme park

The head of a regional transport group has urged planners of the proposed Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire to prioritise rail over road investment.

Universal’s US-based parent company wants to build a resort at Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford, projected to attract around 8.5 million visitors a year. The plans are currently in the final week of public consultation.

In an open letter, Richard Pill, chief executive of the British Regional Transport Association, welcomed the redevelopment of the former brickworks site but warned that Bedfordshire’s roads could be overwhelmed without a stronger focus on rail.

“I broadly support the project and the reuse of brownfield land,” Mr Pill wrote, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. “However, I am concerned that fragmented transport planning and underfunding could result in endless parking expansions, road upgrades, higher emissions, and declining public well-being.”

He argued that a “rapid rail-based solution” should be in place by 2031, when the park is due to open, rather than delayed until 2050. To achieve this, he called for road scheme funding to be redirected into rail projects, with Universal contributing through match-funding.

Among his proposals were the creation of a major new station, the reinstatement of Bedford–Northampton rail links, and improvements to the Marston Vale line.

Mr Pill, a Bedford resident for nearly 60 years, said he had not yet engaged directly with Universal’s project team but hoped to work with them to ensure rail sits “at the heart” of the transport strategy.

Universal’s own plans include improvements to Wixams Railway Station, shuttle links to the resort, and land reserved for a future East West Rail station.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government will ultimately decide on the planning application. The public consultation closes at 12:00 BST on 31 August.