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Government gave go ahead and support before sitting down to think through the fine detail and this is where we are at! This delay is unacceptable by any means as we've campaigned and waited decades already. There needs to be a switch and decisiveness from road spend to investing in local rail and make this a local rail project to deliver a basic Oxford-Bedford and Milton Keynes passenger service, bolt on the Aylesbury spur for Old Oak Common linkage and get the service up and running, rather than gold-plated and waiting another 10 years! We need to have possessions for any essential upgrades and reinstatement of double track (both ends of the Bedford-Bletchley Railway, which were rationalised in the 1980's) and incrementally upgrade as the railway gathers momentum and generates revenue. There should be no delay and the model of HS2 for getting these sorts of things done, takes much to be desired, as it is not on a level to carry people with it except by stealth and not listening. Yes consultations come and go, but they never included the original route and not even our modified route to Tempsford 'east of Bedford via St John's'. The northern route or bust is a disaster waiting to happen, ORR needs challenging on dispensations for some level crossings in reopenings, as level crossings have a proven track record over decades to work and provided they are properly maintained and public educated (road user abuse happens) they are perfectly safe and it would save £billions on Bedford-Bletchley and Wisbech for example. In the case of Bedford-Bletchley and given the 8 million influx to Universal Theme Park from all directions, electrifying the Bedford-Bletchley rail link and lengthening the numerous stations to 4 or 8 coach lengths with better facilities and EMU (electric) rolling stock, would greatly enable 21st century equipping for growth along the corridor now and going forwards. Failure to grasp that, and 2031 comes around in 6 years, Theme Park opens and will the rail transport be adequate or ready? Not at this rate! It begs who is really in charge and are they electable or accountable and to whom? A bus load of people rarely using the railway in reliant fashion who wring hands or said hitherto "it would never happen" make a self fulfilling prophecy, when what we need is faith, vision, application and gritty determination working with BRTA for example.
28-08-25 Update:
Our forum in Bedford is 3pm next Wednesday 3rd September - all welcome. See attached.
Lots going on, but we need capable leadership from the front and that is where a negative discourse fails to inform solutions on how you can inform more tracks for more trains at Bedford Midland Station and a revamp. More land will be needed.
BRTA once suggested more parking on the west side of the railway where the old loco shed is - that land could be used for bus, coach and parking with Hurst Grove being made one-way to Winifred Road except buses and cycling contra flow.
Likewise when we had the old station, the driver's mess was on an island, it has not moved, but now is east of the existing tracks with expanded road access in front of it. We want the train shed (passenger ticket office etc) facing down Midland Road, not Woburn Road!
Some have challenged BRTA getting included in comments, to which my response is why not? We've been in the field for 40 years, we elect our spokespersons, if everyone can have an opinion, that should include us as well? Railfuture and Bedford Commuters Association recently had coverage speaking with the local MP Mohammad Yasin. I was told by one representative from the Commuters, everyone wants the northern route in commuter association audiences, so as night follows day, more land take will happen. 60 houses lost, when our route required less than 10 at a push and in any case at cost granted, Willington could be bypassed. Speed is not everything, keeping wheels moving without congestion is surely the goal? Bedford-Bletchley trains beat the bus at 25 mph, as it goes straight from a to b, when the roads criss-cross the lines and A421 is a blunt instrument for communities in between.
I have said I am willing to work with the Mayor, Universal and anyone else for best results. Office for Road and Rail (ORR) needs lobbying for dispensation for Cardington Road and Priory entrance whereas the new-build railway would be on incline/embankment going over the Great Barford-Blunham Roads as it must be above flood levels and at height for crossing River Ivel/River Great Ouse and A1 to descend to the Tempsford plains for physical linkages with the main north-south main line named East Coast Main Line (ECML) north or south of Station Road Tempsford. Sandy is lost, Blunham is lost, Potton, Gamlingay, M11, Trumpington all built over and development continues apace everywhere without regards to rail infrastructure and that is the problem with Messrs Government!
Newsletter out next week. If you want more news from elsewhere, do more, court progression of rail schemes and the media where you live and highlight issues. Ask me for any guidance as far as the BRTA name is used. People can do things as individuals as well.
26-08-25 Media coverage:
https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/rail-in-bedford-must-be-priority-for-universal-transport-plans-urges-rail-association/ However they confuse the ECML at Tempsford with the MML at Bedford it seems? Spot the difference?! https://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/news/transport/universal-bedford-call-to-prioritise-rail-over-road-upgrades-including-rethink-of-east-west-rail-5288468 We are grateful in any case. Thank you media! People, please email your local MP in suuport of our calls: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1
My response - what is yours?! Email to join our free loop: ceo@brtarail.com
I am the CEO of the British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) for
which my colleague Professor Andrew N. Williams has submitted comments
and feedback which I fully support.
I am writing here as an individual.
I generally support the project and reuse of brownfield lands at
former Kempston Hardwick. However, I am concerned that pluralism to
transport and a lack of investment funding may mean the side-effects
of 8-million visitors per year to it may be impactful in the negative
in terms of transport, the environment and land-use like endless
parking, road upgrades, exhaust and tyre pollution and endless
congestion, pollution and worsening public well being on the back of a
major development like this.
I would prefer a rapid rail-based response to the project, which puts
local rail at the centre of making the project sustainable from day
one (2031) as much as possible in the 6 years until reopening and
additions rapid progress as soon as possible thereafter, not 2050!
If that means switching funds from road upgrades to local rail being
adequate and indeed, the company paying/raising funds to match-fund
rail being hastened and ready more in as short a time as possible, I
welcome that (see attached diagram of what I support).
The project is bestrided by two very different railways, Midland Main
Line (MML) and Bedford-Bletchley (alias Marston Vale Railway/MVR).
1. I fully support a main line station serving the new Universal Theme
Park with two entrances and exits either side, one for much awaited
and much longed for Wixams and the other side for direct main line
access by all main line services (currently Thameslink and East
Midlands Railway/EMR). However, a new-build Bedford-Northampton
(population excess of 200, 000) rail link, as integral to Thameslink,
could bring within 40 minutes that population, saving more traffic
along the A428 and through Bedford, or M1 or A509 and the A421 which
is congested with a mix of juggernaut lorries and other vehicles with
congestion, accidents and flooding. The rail link, the development and
what rail can offer should not be underestimated and a new
Bedford-Northampton rail link could boost town centre trade, link your
resort with corridors to Birmingham and Nuneaton for example and vice
versa, bringing sustainable footfall and trade minus the land use
parking demand and spin-offs. It should be studied, routing (new)
identified and progressed for 2030's delivery. Please see BRTA's
website page: https://brtarail.com/b2n/ and https://brtarail.com/snob/
Both check and balance growth of cross-town road traffic, reduce
queues and ensure cleaner air and less congested area, whilst making
access to the Theme Park and surrounds much easier by rail, making
rail time savvy and boosting dynamic appeal more to woo people out of
road reliance and car dependency more.
2. Local Bedford-Bletchley local line, stations and services.
Currently has had decades of Cinderella status; been chronically
underinvested in and yet is brimming with potential. What it needs is
the following:
a. All stations platforms lengthened to 4 or 8 coach length.
b. Infill electrification and 4 or 8 coach trains integrated like
Watford-Corby semi-fasts and slows along the line (slows here mean
calling all stations). I applaud the idea of Kempston Hardwick getting
parking, a booking hall and coffee shop/information services and
possible staffing as part of the overall plan. New thinking, vision
and appreciation needed in some quarters, release potential and you
reap it too. It also needs Sunday and Bank Holiday services and a new
station at Retail Park Kempston would link another 18, 000+ population
to the line as well as employment corridor options and growth on a
sustainable transport corridor.
3. East-West Rail/Oxford-Milton Keynes/Bedford-Cambridge. Think of the
idea first, appreciate the benefits and then re-look at best
means-ways to deliver it. Needs a new approach which tries to carry
people with it, looks at our suggested alternative flatter, quicker
and more versatile route to that of the Northern Route. Our preferred
route does not demolish anything like 60 houses, but would (especially
if physical links with the main north-south main line at Tempsford)
enable York-Bristol via Kempston Hardwick and bring in Stevenage and
East Bedfordshire to the rail network to County Town of Bedford,
surrounds and legacy benefit, serve the Theme Park minus the traffic.
Please see BRTA webpage for more: https://brtarail.com/ewrail/
If Tempsford-Cambridge for Greater East Anglia can be done, it should
and be usable for both passenger and freight-by-rail workings and
electrified throughout to Felixstowe, Norwich and Ipswich for example.
This is an Oxbridge corridor set in an inter-regional cross country
context, so getting it right is required and we are unconvinced the
Northern Route out of Bedford is the right way to go. Happy to discuss
further with anyone.
Getting the transport right should be the utmost consideration along
with ensuring it is sustainable to minimise road usage and optimising
the modal shift to rail the 21st century contextual requires.
I hope this contribution is welcome and I have asked to be introduced
to the Universal Team, but alas have not been so far, but as CEO and
local resident of 58 years and 4 generations in Bedford, am willing to
work constructively with anyone who agrees with the thrust of what I
am saying and how best to ensure a delivery vehicle with powers can
ensure the rail agenda put forth here is done in as timely a manner as
possible.
People often talk about economic growth as an answer to whatever, but
unless it is on a platform of increasing sustainability and caring for
people, places, environment and well-being, cutting pollution, then it
is irresponsible as an end in itself. I'm all for people enjoying
themselves, but must be balanced with decent public transport (rail)
and adequacy of it. Our proposals will ensure that can be the case, if
funding, tough decisions pro-affirma and leadership can be found at
all levels. Thank you.
Agenda: BRTA Bedford Forum Public Meeting on
Wednesday 3rd
September 3pm-5pm
5 Lansdowne Road, Bedford, MK40 2BY All
welcome.
https://www.llquakers.org.uk/bedford/web/
Main Local BRTA Contact,
Convenor and main BRTA East-West Rail Spokesperson:
Richard Pill, BRTA CEO ceo@brtarail.com 01234 225068
1. Welcome to meeting by Richard Pill, BRTA Bedford Area
Rep
2. Discussion on East-West Rail, including delays
3. Universal Theme Park and rail implications or not?
4. Bedford-Bletchley reliability, what is to be done?
5. Stations North of Bedford – grow support
6. Any other business
7. Date, Time and place of next BRTA Bedford Forum.
Note:
Please see our website: https://brtarail.com/our-campaigns/ and our blogspot: https://brtarailvolunteer.blogspot.com/
Update 23-08-25:
Next BRTA Bedford Area Forum:
Wednesday 3rd September 3pm-5pm
5 Lansdowne Road, Bedford, MK40 2BY
Main Local BRTA Contact and Convenor:
Richard Pill, BRTA CEO ceo@brtarail.com 01234 225068
All are welcome. Local topical news to discuss is:
1. Future of Bedford-Bletchley Local Rail Service
2. The challenge of Universal Theme Park and side effects - what might they be?
3. East-West Rail delays
4. As per our agenda issued on the day.
See this link for background: https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/east-west-rail-stages-2-and-3-being-re-baselined-20-08-2025/
All BRTA Public events are open to all - see: https://brtarail.com/events/
Please look up and email your MP for a switch of funding from new roads to reopening local lines and to fast-track East-West Rail for delivery and ensure Universal Theme Park is rail-served from day one on both lines which bestride it. See: https://members.parliament.uk/members/commons?sort=1
We could say "we told you so", but we want delivery more than P.R or photoshoots per se. Substance is required, devil always in the detail it seems. Government needs a properly funded delivery vehicle with powers to get it done, but needs to predicate funding and policy on thought-through pro-rail as the foundation to move towards rather than roads, fossil fuels and pollution the latter brings.
Government support, 8-million visitors per year coming to the Bedford area. How ready are we? Concerns have been raised on impacts like traffic volumes on already gridlocked roads, pollution and demand for more roads exacerbating the cycle of transport if we do not get timely delivery of RAIL-based solutions.
Now this will filter to people's particulars of other agendas, small beer and sandwiches focuses, siloed society and thread bare resource cabinets beit councils or government.
To give the go ahead to something as big as this, without evaluating the impacts and unintended consequences, is more than a leap of faith, it is courting a series of practical issues which urgently need everyone's attention. In short, 2031 opening, mid 30's the test of cohesive and coordinated preparedness or not.
If a forum is tabled of support for BRTA's rail agenda, which is shared by some other councils and people, then inviting investors to work cases up, get map and plans inclusive (hitherto is now short of that mobility reality unfolding); protect sites and rail corridors, look and study the case merits and benefits on and off the rails and build coalitions to progress to full acceptance. Bedford will gain; Universal equally. Mitigating the costs of congestion in all ways.
https://inrix.com/press-
Regeneration is increased if we support re-railing. Our diagram attached shows what we have now and what we could have then. Government needs to instruct East-West Rail Co, to change its route and enable that by instructing Office for Road and Rail (ORR) to have a more inclusive approach to dispensation granted to level crossings in designs where no other solution is feasible like Priory Park Entrance for example and ideally, Cardington Road. That is our route's Achilles heel. On the other hand, the Northern Route is not a panacea, far from it and questions around freight and electrification, cost and timescales, remain questionable to put it mildly. On the other side, Northampton-Bedford-Wixams as an extension of Thameslink needs new route identification, protection and working up the candidacy case for government support on the back of Wixams and if investors stand ready to show a willingness to invest and pro-affirma support, why not? In any case 2035-2040 seems probable.
Interim, Stations North of Bedford (Oakley and Sharnbrook) and a new service with Leicester/East Midlands and revamping Bedford-Bletchley with Oxford hourly services, or at very least Bedford-Bletchley timetables enabling scope to come back from Oxford and change to a Bedford train now and 2031 seems logical. Longer halt/station platforms, electrification infill (4 coach units) - capacity and demand will grow. 25 years ago a study showed Retail Park Station and Kempston would add 100 extra passengers daily to Bedford-Bletchley local shuttle. Object as taking ages? But the receipts for a 3 minute extra delay covers that inconvenience, and brings 20, 000 catchment to the service potentially (Kempston Town and Elstow for example with radial walkways and cycle links etc). What will be inadequate is 45 year old trains, clapped out, failing often, bus substitutions caught in congestion and people not using the service due to unreliability issues. What can we do now, what by 2031 and what and when post 2031? If East-West Rail say 2050 for 'all singing and dancing' we are right to be sceptical, and tears more likely. Today we decide the future and work with the grain greater or lesser.
Hope of interest. Our events are open to all, so all welcome; https://brtarail.com/
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