Transport group calls for more trains at Universal

The head of a transport body has urged planners behind the proposed Universal Studios theme park to prioritise rail over road upgrades.

The US firm wants to build a resort that will attract 8.5 million annual visitors to Kempston Hardwick, near Bedford.

Plans for the resort are now in the final week of a public consultation period.

In an open letter, Richard Pill, chief executive of the British Regional Transport Association, welcomed the redevelopment of the former brickworks site but warned that visitors could overwhelm Bedfordshire's roads without a major shift towards rail investment.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he wrote: "I generally support the project and reuse of brownfield lands.

"However, I am concerned that pluralism to transport and a lack of investment funding may mean the side-effects [include] endless parking, road upgrades, exhaust and tyre pollution and worsening public well-being."

Mr Pill argued that a "rapid rail-based response" was needed from the outset in 2031, when the park is due to open, rather than waiting until 2050 for improvements.

He called for funds earmarked for road schemes to be diverted into rail upgrades, with Universal itself contributing to match-funding.

He proposed a major new station to boost connectivity, revived links between Bedford and Northampton - and upgrades to the Marston Vale line.

Mr Pill, a Bedford resident for nearly six decades, said he had not yet been introduced to Universal's project team but wanted to work constructively with them, to ensure rail "sits at the heart" of the park's transport plan.

In its proposals the firm said the development would include improvements at Wixams Railway Station, shuttle services to the park and land set aside for a future East West Rail station.

The decision to grant planning permission for the theme park will be determined by the Secretary of State for Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The public consultation is open until 12:00 BST on 31 August.

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