Update 06-07-2025 - BRTA Needs More Volunteers, Donations and Support!
N2MH and B2N (we work together loosely) - new main line Wixams Station (Thameslink no change required Northampton-Bedford-Wixams-
f. New Bedford Team I coordinate - Stations North of Bedford (Oakley/Sharnbrook) and Ampthill + local electric Bedford-Leicester shuttle - EMR does it plus express services and Thameslink extend to take over the Corby integration role?
g. St John's old site down to Cardington Road needs retaining for rail purposes, ultimately our East-West Rail route and interim a. Washery for 12 coach trains and b. reinstate triangle and turn/stable 'Leisure Line' services from Didcot/Oxford direction (Universal 8 million people per year) and anything from the Leicester direction. Stables off main through lines, is needed capacity and washery current has only 8-coach length capability.
I welcome feedback and support please.
We have until 2031 to get rudiments sorted. If old St John's is not reclaimed and used for railway purposes, population expansion/other pressure for social housing on brownfield site, may eclipse and scupper rail retention purposes. That locks-in Northern Route, 60 houses demolished and less-than optimal railway.
We need a champion/s, we need people with competence and charisma. I am an advocate, but needs fronting by those who better appreciate what can be done politically. If the council invited me to meet with Universal and persuaded them to buy into our vision, then, that would be something.
h. Bedford-Bletchley is dysfunctional currently with 45 year old trains breaking down, shortages of drivers/lack of retention.
The halts need retention, lengthening to 4-coach length and infill electrification (enabling Watford-Corby) for people and goods by rail more integratively. Again, we need champions to advocate for that package and the proposed new station at the Retail Park, put Kempston Town on the railway map. 100 new users per day in 2001, so probably triple that now. Rentain Stewartby for Kimberley College, Sports Venues associates and the village itself. No buses go west from Stewartby, so Bedford-Bletchley Railway offers choice and versatility if run reliably.
i. Bus substitutes and short-notice cancellations, a lack of a Sunday Service and the extension to Milton Keynes Central (£20 million spent sorting it out of Platform 5) all need flagging up. Otherwise the railway is discredited/falls short and patterning reverts and locks-in road reliance and usage more. 8 million visitors to Universal/Bedford per year 2031, we need to be ready and 6 years in planning terms is not long. 2050 East-West Rail says for 'full monty' east-west rail, but given development pressures, routes will be scuppered long before that, so is someone empowered or are we being led along by 'donkeys'?!
1. Potentially good 'news' at face value. Unsure how the money will be spent? 6-tracks to MK Central would be prudent and extend to Northampton as well surely?
2. I do hope our MP's Messers Yasin and Fuller along with our Elected Mayor will blast and make representation for Bedford to be included from day one of Oxford-Milton Keynes Passenger and freight services, not left awaiting another 6 years when Bedford-Bletchley is a fully operational railway and has spare capacity.
3. Sorting Bedford Midland out is required, and BRTA has called for the map and design for many years. Now is wake-up time, we have 6 years for a full-monty capacity enhancement and rejig of a station which can last another 50 years.
4. BRTA calls for twin bays making the train drivers mess an island as it was when the old Bedford Midland Station was in situ. Road access needs amending and maybe a one-way in or sharing with Postal Sorting Office and exit out via Commercial Road stub for NR purposes, may be a negotiated solution?
5. BRTA had a useful meeting today and is growing. But we need more public engagement with us. Many thousands responded to the consultation and support the East-West Rail idea Oxford-Bedford-Cambridge etc; but routing east of Bedford needs resolution and practicability considerations sorted, our route is a feasible option and physical rail links at Tempsford optimises reach and range and market capability. Fail there, and you blight the commercial potential of the new line.
6. Development sprawl will mean land loss and that hems in the scope for future rail amendments without more residential pain.
7. The BRTA stall is on at Bedford Midland next Wednesday (18th) all welcome and our East-West Page makes our focus clear. I am willing to welcome any support for BRTA and work with anyone to get it fairly included. The railway must be fit for passenger and freight considerations from day one. Please see: https://brtarail.com/
Meanwhile people have commented at our meeting what a disgrace Platform 6 is at Bletchley without lifts/Disabled access. Will £2.5 billion address that or must we wait until 2031 for the next spending round?! BRTA and predecessors have been raising Bedford-Bletchley issues for years.
BRTA calls for a switch from new and upgraded roads spending to a nationwide programme of local, year-on-year rail reopenings and rebuilds to give modal choice, lower harmful emissions, congestion, save land and enhance regeneration and sustainable growth putting people, places and the environment at the heart of government priorities, policy and resource use. Please give us your support.
Email your local MP in support of BRTA's calls: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1 and join BRTA: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/
All offers to help or general enquiries welcome via ceo@brtarail.com Join BRTA via: https://brtarail.com/events/
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