ERTA Kempston Station Report and Campaign

I have been invited by Kempston Town Council to speak to their elected representatives on the matter pertaining to a new Kempston Station on the Bedford-Bletchley Line. It is 14th November 7.30pm Council Chamber - see

https://kempston-tc.gov.uk/contact/

There is a public gallery and supporters are both welcome and please also feel free to email/write in support to the Town Council as well. My report is freely available - email richard.erta@gmail.com for a pdf copy.

Kempston area stands to gain, with access to the Oxford-Bedford emergent rail corridor for multi-purpose rail-based access, footfall and spend/visitorship to Kempston sustaining local economy and well-being and as for the Retail Park, it is land-locked and so optimising more trade by non-car methods would surely be worth some interest for the wider operational good on and off the local roads which feed it? Capacity is what it is all about and this station and bridge would give more options and through ticketing, feed bus-rail via Orchard Street connections.

I would welcome your kind interest and support and maybe it can make more progress in the emergent theatre of opportunity. 20 years ago a study showed 100 extra users if the station was built, but at planning stages was defeated on the back of a handful but adamant opposition. I believe careful management could lend to dissipate that opposition and nurture widespread local support. Not having to drive into Bedford Midland and pay to park, would save time and money and free up congestion that bit more. Land to the west of footpath/bypass could be additional country-parklands and a connecting cycle way to Woburn Road Industrial Estate and Police HQ could all boost the role the rail-feed could play.

Ultimately on the Bedford-Bletchley line we would like to see longer trains and electrification infill for a semi-fast Watford-Bletchley-Kempston-Bedford-Corby through commuter service as well as Oxford-Bedford operations and the shuttle. I believe this station idea's time has come and it could be a boost and enable local people of Kempston to enjoy the benefits. Kempston has a diverse history and we should make more and celebrate it boosted by the new visitors the railway could inform.

Colour pdf reports available free on request via richard.erta@gmail.com