New railway station set to be built to serve proposed theme park in Bedfordshire
East West Rail proposes major station updates for Bedfordshire and new station at Tempsford.
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has announced a series of design updates for Bedfordshire, including a redeveloped Bedford station, plans for a new station at Tempsford, and updates along the Marston Vale Line.
The proposals reflect feedback from local communities and stakeholders gathered during public consultations earlier this year.
The updates, detailed in EWR Co’s "You Said, We Did" report, are designed to improve connectivity across the county and support the economic growth of the region as part of the new direct railway linking Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford, and Cambridge.
Plans for Bedford station include creating a modern transport hub with a new station building and a pedestrian plaza at the front to improve access to the town centre. A proposed western entrance will improve access for residents in Queens Park, while a new multi-storey car park is planned to the west of the station to minimise visual impact and increase development opportunities nearby.
Adjustments to Bromham Road and the A6 Great Ouse Way are also planned to integrate the designs into the local environment and reduce community disruption.
The redesign of Bedford St Johns station will support the expansion of Bedford Hospital, offering improved accessibility for patients, staff, and visitors. The upgrades include accessible lifts and a new multi-storey car park with dedicated disabled parking spaces and electric vehicle charging stations.
EWR Co has also explored ways to avoid the demolition of bridges near the hospital while lowering tracks to minimise disruptions, reducing the length of road alignment required and avoiding previously planned road closures.
The Government has asked EWR Co to accelerate delivery of a new Tempsford station to support housing and business growth in the area. The station is planned where the East West Rail alignment crosses the East Coast Main Line, creating an important regional transport hub.
Public feedback supported a route through Alignment 1c, which will run north of the Black Cat roundabout, with the proposed station screened to reduce visual impacts. The phased delivery approach includes building platforms on the East Coast Main Line first to unlock transport infrastructure benefits sooner.
Significant changes are proposed for the Marston Vale Line, with plans to consolidate nine existing stations into four modern, more accessible stations. This Consolidated Stations Option was recommended following public consultation.
The new stations will include parking, walking and cycling routes, and better integration with housing, business, and leisure developments. The updated service could offer up to five trains per hour, an increase from the previously planned three, to help support future demand, including travel to the proposed Universal Studios resort in Stewartby.
Proposed station locations include:
- Woburn Sands: The new station will be located within the South East Milton Keynes development, providing direct access for existing and new residential areas.
- Ridgmont: This station will move west of the M1 to improve accessibility and serve new housing north of Aspley Guise.
- Lidlington: The station will remain near its current location but include improved travel routes and connections to the Forest of Marston Vale.
- Stewartby: A new station north of Broadmead Road is planned to align with Bedford Borough Council’s draft 2040 Local Plan and support travel to the nearby Universal Studios project.
David Hughes, CEO of East West Railway Company, said: “These updates reflect our commitment to listening to communities while designing a railway that delivers long-term benefits for the region. "