Universal Studios will deliver a fantastic boost for Bedfordshire, but after the celebrations last week, the focus now turns immediately to ensuring that appropriate infrastructure is built alongside the theme park.
Bedfordshire residents must be at the heart of the project, not simply an afterthought – and I know from conversations with Universal that this is their aim.
The Government must now step up and ensure that is the case.
Read: Council leaders explain why Universal Studios is a game-changer for the whole Borough
Any project of this scale is bound to come with some level of disruption, but throughout the construction and once the park opens, that disruption to local people must be kept to a minimum.
We have six years until the ribbon is expected to be cut, so that’s six years to make sure everything is thought through properly and delivered. I understand the concerns expressed by some local people.
Read: Universal Studios investment set to reshape Bedford housing market and raise rental demand
Too often, our area has been let down by developments not coming with the infrastructure. And Wixams is just one example, with the failure to build a GP surgery or a train station.
But in the last few months, that train station has taken huge steps forward thanks to Mayor Tom, and now we will need to see work to deliver a much bigger station capable of coping with many more passengers.
A lot of thought needs to go into the rail infrastructure – not just at Wixams – with new station locations under consideration as part of East-West Rail.
And as I mentioned in my recent debate on Thameslink services in Parliament – it’s all well and good having Universal Studios, but we need a quality train service to reliably get people to and from the theme park; we need rail operators to step up and a proper plan from the Government if they advance with nationalisation plans.
There is much more that needs to be considered over the coming months and years, and I’ll be meeting with Universal regularly as well as with Government.
Do you have thoughts on key infrastructure improvements you think we need to support Universal and your community? Email me and let me know so I can represent your views to Universal, the Government and our local councils.
Stay in touch
I’m continuing to hold regular advice surgeries across the constituency, so if you would like to book an appointment to come and meet me, please do get in touch by emailing blake.stephenson.mp@parliament.uk.
To stay up-to-date with all the work I’m doing for Mid Bedfordshire, head to blakestephenson.uk to sign up for my regular e-newsletter.
This is a monthly guest column provided by
Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire.
It is published unedited and does not
reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
