East West Rail Co (EWR Co) has scaled back its planned multi-storey car park at Bedford station, but homes on Ashburnham Road are still slated for demolition.
The rail operator recently revealed its updated plans for the area.
As we reported this morning, the company charged with developing the East West Rail (EWR) network confirmed the proposed parking structure will now sit behind the existing tree line to protect the conservation area.
Read: East West Rail Co scales back Bedford station car park plans
However, the decision has sparked anger among local politicians who say Bedfordians are paying the price so the land can be cleared for commercial profit.
Cllr Ben Foley (Green/Greyfriars) said: “While they don’t talk about it in their press release, I’m horrified to see the plan confirm both that EWR are still planning to knock down people’s homes in the many flats between 4 and 18 Ashburnham Road, and that they are effectively doing so to produce land for re-development when they have finished.”
Redevelopment fears
EWR Co says the community campaign to protect the neighbourhood has yielded some concessions, including dropping its original concept for a towering concrete car park structure.
But Cllr Foley says it’s still not right for the area.
Speaking on the revised height, Cllr Foley added, “Another consequence of EWR’s desire to free up land for re-development is that they are still planning on building a higher-than-necessary multi-storey car park so it will fit on a smaller site.
“So, I am unhappy about some really big issues: yet at the same time, I’m relieved that my efforts have meant EWR are finally paying attention to Ashburnham Road being a conservation area.
“That means they have reduced the plans from the vast monolith of a multi-storey car park they originally planned that would have towered over homes in the conservation area.
“This proposal isn’t as high, and they have changed the design so it will be behind the existing line of trees on the west side of Ashburnham Road.”
Traffic concerns
Despite the anticipated reduction in traffic volume, the rail operator is facing heavy criticism for failing to implement sustainable transport solutions across Bedford.
Highlighting the need for better local infrastructure, Cllr Foley explained, “I’m also glad that through my efforts, these plans will result in less traffic on Ashburnham Road than there is at present.
“However, there is still a lack of ambition to reduce traffic.
“More could and should have been done to get people to walk/wheel and cycle to and from the stations, and to use the bus for their journey to this station and the new St Johns Station.
“I will keep pressing for improvements and to defend residents from the planned demolitions.”
In response to the ongoing community concerns over the station plans, David Hughes, chief executive of EWR Co, has previously said: “We will continue to work closely with local communities and stakeholders as the design develops further.”
Bedfordians can view the updated designs and discuss the EWR project’s next steps with EWR Co at a series of upcoming drop-in events.
These will take place on Tuesday, 3 November 2026 and Thursday, 12 November 2026, from 6pm to 9pm.
Both events are being held at Trinity Arts and Leisure on Bromham Road.
We have approached Bedford’s Mayor, Tom Wootton (Conservative), for comment.
