It seems Kimberley College, Stewartby Parish and Universal/Bedford Borough are in agreement to merge the two stations? Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick? Fair enough, but does it set a precedent like Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands?
Related rail link could arc Birmingham-Northampton-Bedford (Universal Theme Park/8 million visitors per year) and Luton, London and Brighton:
BRTA Press Release 09-04-25
BRTA Welcomes the new Universal Development in Bedfordshire but...
British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) welcomes the news that the Universal Leisure Theme Park will be coming to Bedfordshire and near the perimeter of the Bedford area itself with easy rail access on two sides of it.
BRTA believes it will bring jobs and supply chains will get a boost, it will bring coincidental visitorship and a new wave of opportunity to exhibit what the Bedfordshire area has to offer.
However, BRTA is concerned to ensure that the rail access dynamic is properly understood. It is our view that:
1. All stations along the Bedford-Bletchley Railway must be upgraded with longer trains, infill electrification and a diversity of services including early inclusion in Oxford services. Kempston Hardwick Station (halt) will be adjacent to the theme park and needs upgrading with longer platforms, parking, a booking hall, public toilets and a coffee shop. We also want neighbouring Stewartby Station (halt) to remain where it is and be upgraded as it serves the village, sports facilities and is popular for students using the train to nearby Kimberley College.
2. Wixams will need upgrading and access on both sides on the main line between Bedford and Flitwick. We believe Ampthill Station should be studied and reopened so the Ampthill area is more accessible by rail and does not miss out on footfall and spend in a sustainable fashion.
3. East-West Rail to Cambridge should go east of Bedford via the St John's area and have physical tracks linking with Peterborough, East Bedfordshire and Stevenage direct to the Bedford area from day one. The whole Oxbridge arc could be rebranded as a leisure corridor, so the life-balance of work and play, family life and conservation are equally valued and people, places and the environment are designed in, not just green-washed.
4. Stations North of Bedford need studying and progressing to bring North Bedfordshire into the frame for easy access by rail to the theme park and cut congestion down the A6, freeing up parking nearer to where people commute from.
5. Northampton, population exceeding 200, 000 should have a new direct rail link to Bedford and make the A428 a properly sustainable corridor. Study routing options, get a roundtable and bring agencies together to work on it as an extension of Thameslink and East-West Rail.
6. New local shuttle rail services direct between Bedford and Leicester. The electrification project calls at Leicester next, so like Wixams, new local stations at Oakley, Sharnbrook, Irchester, Desborough and Kibworth Harcourt could be reopened without impinging on faster lines and services.
BRTA CEO Richard Pill said "With an estimated 8 million visitors per year from all directions including Luton Airport as another gateway, the area needs these rail adjustments to ensure we are not seeing a proliferation of congestion, pollution and emissions. Parking alone is not the answer, we need to use this golden investment opportunity to get our local rail infrastructure and services back and leave a legacy to benefit future generations to be proud of."
End of Press Release
Further Comment: Richard Pill, BRTA CEO 01234 225068 or richard.brta@gmail.com Our recommended website page is: https://brtarail.com/bedfordshire/ and our Blogspot also: https://brtarailvolunteer.blogspot.com/
General news of the go ahead for the Theme Park: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz95n2837vgo
All welcome:
BRTA Bedford Area Forum
Wednesday 11th June 2025
1pm-4pm All welcome
Venue Website: www.llquakers.org.uk/bedford
Free Admission Email richard.brta@gmail.com and join our free email loop for updates. Bring cash to peruse our stall, donate or join! Together we are stronger!
Join the discussion
around local transport and public transport issues around Bedford Borough with
us. Topics BRTA wants support for include: East-West Rail (get the route
right!), Stations North of Bedford (Oakley and Sharnbrook), a new station on
the Bedford-Bletchley Railway for the Retail Park Kempston and Better Buses.
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