East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has revealed revised parking proposals for Bedford station after locals raised serious concerns about traffic and building heights.
The new design scales back previous East West Rail (EWR) project plans, introducing a split-site parking approach and the potential for a new community hub and GP surgery.
Initial plans in 2024 proposed an eight-storey multi-storey car park on Ashburnham Road.
Following backlash, the 2026 consultation suggested a 1,200-space facility on Ford End Road, which Bedfordians feared would cause severe traffic bottlenecks through Queen’s Park.
Read: East West Rail consultation attendance falls 39% from previous round
Scaled-back plans
After working with Bedford Borough Council and local communities, EWR Co have settled on a preferred solution capping the provision at 900 spaces overall.
Under this new plan, roughly 70 per cent of parking will sit to the east of the station on Ashburnham Road.
This includes a smaller six-storey multi-storey car park, designed to match the height of neighbouring buildings, alongside a surface-level car park.
The remaining 30 per cent of spaces will be located in a separate surface car park off Ford End Road.
EWR Co say this split will reduce traffic crossing into Queen’s Park, with less than 10 per cent of demand expected from Ford End Road West.
In a direct response to local feedback, the new Ashburnham Road site also includes options for a ground-floor community hub and GP surgery, subject to further review.
Read: Councillors unite against home demolitions in East West Rail plans
MP raises traffic concerns
Despite the reduction in scale, Mohammad Yasin MP (Labour/Bedford & Kempston) has warned the revised plans do not solve the area’s fundamental traffic problems.
He acknowledged the changes reflect pressure from local people on developers, but stressed that adding significant traffic to the congested Ford End road network remains a major issue.
Mr Yasin said: “Before putting additional parking into an already pressured road network, EWR should properly examine whether the existing multi-storey can be expanded.”
He confirmed to the Bedford Independent that he will be writing to the mayor’s office to demand traffic-flow management measures to mitigate the impact on Queen’s Park and the Poets area.
He is also seeking a clear commitment that those living near the station will not be forced to bear the financial consequences of parking and access decisions.
A growing railway
David Hughes, chief executive of EWR Co, said: “We’d like to thank the people of Bedford for helping us shape our plans for car parking in Bedford. We believe these proposals strike the right balance for Bedford.
“It provides the parking capacity needed for a growing railway, whilst ensuring traffic is spread more evenly across the town.
“By making efficient use of land, it also helps create the conditions for investment and regeneration around the station – delivering the infrastructure passengers need today while supporting Bedford’s ambitions for tomorrow.
“We will continue to work closely with local communities and stakeholders as the design develops further.”
Have your say
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.
EWR Co is the organisation responsible for delivering the major new EWR rail network designed to support increased passenger numbers and unlock regional investment.
However, the project has faced fierce opposition from local campaign groups who warn the infrastructure could lead to the demolition of homes, severe traffic congestion and environmental disruption across Bedford.
We have approached Bedford’s Mayor, Tom Wootton (Conservative), for comment.
