EWR, Universal and Wixams

[cle]

Rail provision will be much better than from Chessington. Chessington is in London sure but only gets a half hourly slow service on a branch line. Wixams alone will have at least twice the frequency

Not to mention in two directions! Although close to the end of the line. And 12 car services - direct to Luton, through London, and to Gatwick - very well connected. EWR is the smaller piece although it's fair to assume that employees will be local and as such, local service would be valuable as well as tourist-driven ones.

The OA Nottingham-Bristol service, if it happens and called, might mean MML fasts don't need to, as Leicester/Notts would be linked.

 

[edwin_m]

Potentially it's similar to Bicester Village in that tourists visiting London can do a day trip.

Perhaps the closest analogue is Disneyland Paris, which has high capacity links via the RER and some longer distance connections too.

 

[cle]

It might also be paired with trips to Harry Potter at Watford / Leavesden. In Orlando, Universal actually has the Harry Potter attractions (more rides than studio tour) - so this might be a one-two move. Unsure of Universal here will have it, given how WB-branded the Leavesden one is.

By rail, easily done via Bletchley! Some may go through St Albans too

 

[D365]

I can't think of a major theme park anywhere in the UK that has good rail access.

Thorpe Park has a regular and established shuttle bus from/to Staines. I’m lead to believe that Alton Park has seasonal bus routes to Derby and Uttoxeter. But you are quite right in your assertion - no theme parks in the UK with direct rail access.

 

[richieb1971]

Why are you comparing Thorpe park, Chessington and others with this Universal project?

Universal are expecting people from all over the world to fly here for this park to see its unique rides and features. Its going to be the biggest park in the UK and then some.

At minimum you're expecting 24000 people a day. So if 10% by train is your figure thats 2400 people. The amount of foreigners coming over will be substantial.

And where are the 8000 employees going to park?

As per google "The proposed Universal UK theme park and resort in Bedfordshire is expected to support a total of 20,000 jobs during its construction and operation, with 8,000 jobs once operational and rising to 10,000 after two decades. "

 

[Zomboid]

Perhaps not from all over the world, but it would be the only one in Europe, so certainly it'd be aimed at attracting lots of foreign visitors, who would be more likely to use the train than locals.

It's well located for that too from a rail standpoint, with direct trains from Gatwick, St Pancras, Luton, Oxford, Bicester Village, perhaps Cambridge... There may well be a case to stop some trains from East Mids Parkway at some stage, too.

If it's a success it'll be on a different scale to the kind of thing we're used to in this country.

 

[richieb1971]

Perhaps not from all over the world

I've been to Florida twice and Japan once to visit Universal Studios. I'm sure other Brits have been to Florida a few times.

Some attractions will be unique. Namely Lord of the rings, 007 and a few others. I'm sure those 2 franchises have a global fan base.

 

[Zomboid]

I've been to Florida twice and Japan once to visit Universal Studios. I'm sure other Brits have been to Florida a few times.

Some attractions will be unique. Namely Lord of the rings, 007 and a few others. I'm sure those 2 franchises have a global fan base.

I'm sure there will be some people from Los Angeles who would come, but the bulk of the audience will most likely be European.

 

[deltic]

The site is located off the M1 and it is likely to attract lots of families from all over the country, both factors that are likely to encourage driving. Not questioning the number of people visiting the site but how they will get there, a 40% rail market share seems high. Eurodisney which is closer to Paris and far cheaper to access via RER has that sort of rail market share.

 

[cle]

It's also about people who go as part of their broader trip (global audience) vs people who come dedicated (Europe more likely - per Disney Paris) - - it'll most likely be a day trip up from London, or a day spent roaming around other non-London but southern things like Bicester, Oxford, Bath... maybe Cambridge. Rail is the front runner for those.

There isn't really tons to interest tourists in the northern home counties and East Midlands, frankly.

Domestic visitors will of course be much more likely to drive. Hopefully they can be incentivzed not to. I remember going to Euston and buying an Alton Towers day deal on the day, which included a return train to Stoke and a bus...and wasn't crazy expensive - talking mid-late 90s though.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Most domestic visitors further away than London are quite likely to stay over, and Milton Keynes has a huge amount of hotel capacity primarily used by business travellers midweek aside from Silverstone - this means I suspect many will stay there, most probably reaching it by car. But they could if parking is costly at the park be influenced to leave the car in MK. This to me pushes quite strongly for the Denbigh Hall Curve to give it a direct service via the Marston Vale rather than them driving to Bletchley (which in reality probably means driving all the way). Would it be feasible for it to be funded via planning gain from the Park?

 

[cle]

I'd expect they build a hotel/s there, or more in Bedford itself. Would be quite a drag to get a train to MKC. Especially if there are 2 day tickets etc - (and have to be in CMK at night!) - may as well go back to London, or press on to Oxford or Bicester.

I can't see the same people going to sad Premier Inns in MK. But domestic, possibly so - cheapest, bleakest option.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd expect they build a hotel/s there, or more in Bedford itself. Would be quite a drag to get a train to MKC. Especially if there are 2 day tickets etc - (and have to be in CMK at night!) - may as well go back to London, or press on to Oxford or Bicester.

I can't see the same people going to sad Premier Inns in MK. But domestic, possibly so - cheapest, bleakest option.

Milton Keynes has a wide variety of hotels, not just Premier Inns (though it does admittedly have about 5 of those!)

I am confident a significant number of people will stay there rather than go to Bicester or Oxford, which unlike MK can be very expensive for hotels on weekends due to being very touristy.

No doubt there will also be hotels on site, but at Disney not everyone stays in them as they are expensive. Similarly London hotels are expensive, with budget chain options largely starting around £200 per night. MK would be a great base for a few nights with a day in the park and another in London. Bedford will no doubt gain some but presently has very few.

 

[bspahh]

Most domestic visitors further away than London are quite likely to stay over, and Milton Keynes has a huge amount of hotel capacity primarily used by business travellers midweek aside from Silverstone - this means I suspect many will stay there, most probably reaching it by car. But they could if parking is costly at the park be influenced to leave the car in MK. This to me pushes quite strongly for the Denbigh Hall Curve to give it a direct service via the Marston Vale rather than them driving to Bletchley (which in reality probably means driving all the way). Would it be feasible for it to be funded via planning gain from the Park?

Page 66 of this report from 2024 says that there are 4000 hotel rooms in Milton Keynes. Not everyone staying in one of those rooms will go to Universal, and not all of them will go there by train.

 

[cle]

I am confident a significant number of people will stay there rather than go to Bicester or Oxford, which unlike MK can be very expensive for hotels on weekends due to being very touristy.

That's because they are places people want to be! Bicester is admittedly a bit meh itself, but the attraction is obvious.

It could and should be a day trip from Oxford itself (thinking overseas tourists here), but I suppose people have crazy shopping quantities.

 

[Energy]

Government/Universal has announced that the park is going ahead.

Multi-billion-pound investment secured as Universal theme park and resort set to be built in Bedford, bringing thousands of jobs​

A multi-billion-pound investment in a major new Universal theme park and resort in Bedford has been agreed between Universal, the government and the local council, in a move that represents a major vote of confidence in the UK economy and the future of partnerships between the UK and the US.

An announcement was expected soon, excavators have already started appearing on site.

 

[richieb1971]

New Universal theme park set to open in UK - with promise of 'billions' of pounds for the economy

The theme park is set to be up and running by 2031 and will be the UK's most popular tourist attraction, Universal hopes.

news.sky.com

A deal for a new Universal theme park in Bedfordshire has been confirmed, which Rachel Reeves says will bring "billions" to the economy and create thousands of jobs.

It will be the first Universal-branded theme park and resort in Europe and is set to open in 2031, when it is expected to become the UK's most popular visitor attraction.


The government said it will bring an estimated £50bn into the British economy and will create about 28,000 jobs - nearly 20,000 during the construction phase, and 8,000 more in hospitality and the creative industries when it opens.

A 500-room hotel and a retail and entertainment complex is planned alongside the theme park, which will be built on a former brickworks.

Universal, which is owned by Sky News' US parent company Comcast, expects the 476-acre site just south of Bedford to generate nearly £50bn for the economy by 2055, with 8.5m visitors in its first year.


The plan remains subject to a formal planning decision process from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Universal has committed to working with local colleges and universities to train students for hospitality jobs.

 

[Western Lord]

View attachment 178028

New Universal theme park set to open in UK - with promise of 'billions' of pounds for the economy

The theme park is set to be up and running by 2031 and will be the UK's most popular tourist attraction, Universal hopes.

news.sky.com

I hope that Reeves realises that all the construction workers employed on this project will not, therefore, be available to build all the homes that the government is prominsing!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I hope that Reeves realises that all the construction workers employed on this project will not, therefore, be available to build all the homes that the government is prominsing!

There'll also need to be more homes locally to house the permanent workers of course. Round here there's very close to full employment (of those able to work) so more people will need to move nearby.

This is overall good news, but like when Milton Keynes was declared I suspect those in the Marston Vale villages won't be happy, as these are unlikely to remain as idyllic as they are now - most likely that housing will go there plus hotels and the likes.

 

[Zomboid]

I'd be surprised if there was a massive crossover between the people who build houses and the people who build industrial sheds and rollercoasters.

 

[richieb1971]

I'd be surprised if there was a massive crossover between the people who build houses and the people who build industrial sheds and rollercoasters.

From the builds I saw in Universal Osaka quite a lot of it is slabs, concrete and castles. A theme park has a massive amount of plumbing, drainage and electrical infrastructure. The hotels are going to be big buildings and the car parks alone will be vast. Its taking 5 years so its a bit more complicated than a few industrial sheds. My understanding is that this particular park will have quite a bit under a roof for the rainy days.

I am wondering how the train travellers get to the park. None of the illustrations show any connectivity to the railway at all. Maybe its going to have a Universal tube station.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I am wondering how the train travellers get to the park. None of the illustrations show any connectivity to the railway at all. Maybe its going to have a Universal tube station.

Almost certainly bus shuttles from the two stations (Stewartby and Wixams) - of course the location of the former is not yet determined. I forget where I read it, but renaming to "Stewartby Universal Studios" is apparently already under consideration!

 

[richieb1971]

Almost certainly bus shuttles from the two stations (Stewartby and Wixams) - of course the location of the former is not yet determined. I forget where I read it, but renaming to "Stewartby Universal Studios" is apparently already under consideration!

That in itself is a bit cumbersome considering Alton towers has a monorail system. If they did a loop monorail system connecting the car parks and the railway stations that would get my vote. That picture illustration up above doesn't make sense to me, the entrance is in the bottom right when I expected it to be top left. I am assuming that is the EWR/Marston vale at the top. I think I read the entrance was going to be where Kempston hardwick station is now. I am not sure how Strewartby Universal would work as the roads around there have quite a long way round as it stands, perhaps there is a on premise route.

 

[Magdalia]

The BBC report is here:

Universal theme park for Bedfordshire confirmed by Starmer

The company says the new site is expected to create 28,000 jobs and generate £50bn for the economy.

www.bbc.co.uk

The first Universal theme park in Europe will be built in the UK, the government has promised.

The attraction would be constructed on the site of the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks near Bedford and would create an estimated 28,000 jobs before opening in 2031.

On rail links the BBC report says this:

Universal said it would make upgrades to the Wixams railway station and build a new station on the East West Rail line near the resort.

The interview with Lisa Nandy (Culture Media and Sport minister) on Radio 4 this morning also mentioned discussions between Universal and the government on transport infrastructure.

There'll also need to be more homes locally to house the permanent workers of course. Round here there's very close to full employment (of those able to work) so more people will need to move nearby.

This is already happening see here:

Former Stewartby brickworks sold to developer

The brownfield site has outline planning consent for homes, a school and community facilities.

www.bbc.co.uk

A site that was once home to the world's largest brickworks has been sold.

The former Stewartby brickworks in Bedfordshire has outline planning consent for 1,000 new homes, a school and community facilities.

The 130-acre (about 50-hectare) site, which is about six miles (about 10km) from Bedford town centre, has been bought by property developer Harworth from Heidelberg Materials, previously known as Hanson UK.

 

[DarloRich]

this is all very positive news. Lots of inward investment and money, hopefully, for railway upgrades. WNTL?

 

[Bletchleyite]

this is all very positive news. Lots of inward investment and money, hopefully, for railway upgrades. WNTL?

I suspect those who live in the villages surrounding the Marston Vale stations may not love it as the atmosphere of the area will change - but that could quite likely have happened anyway. It already has to a fair extent for Woburn Sands, nice though it is.

 

[DarloRich]

I suspect those who live in the villages surrounding the Marston Vale stations may not love it as the atmosphere of the area will change - but that could quite likely have happened anyway. It already has to a fair extent for Woburn Sands, nice though it is.

I don't think it will change that much - most of the villages are away form the main road, they have ( mostly ) had a decent amount of new housing built.

I would suggest expanding Luton airport will have more impact!

 

[richieb1971]

I don't think it will change that much - most of the villages are away form the main road, they have ( mostly ) had a decent amount of new housing built.

I would suggest expanding Luton airport will have more impact!

If there is an unfortunate backlog of traffic on the A421 for any reason those "through" village roads will get GPS/Sat Nav priority for a shorter journey. That is the big problem. Especially as those routes will take you to places that already have traffic congestion. The cow bridge area in Kempston is attrocious as it is. The government thus far has shied away from a redesign, the council cannot do it as its exactly where the 2 railways cross over.

1000 homes, a school and a hospital will all make the feeds through there even worse. Although to be fair most will favour Milton Keynes shopping over Bedford.

Do you think 4 car trains on EWR will suffice? Its supposed to be a commuter path so you would imagine quite a lot of morning trips will be filled with commuters. If Winslow platform is 106 metres thats 5 to 6 coaches. And EWR are talking about non continuous OHLE.

At least some of the investment is coming from Universal, so it would be interesting what budgets and scope they are planning for on both railways routes.

 

[Zomboid]

There are always some resistant, but turning a derelict industrial site into a destination that'll support a large number of jobs is on balance going to be a good thing, IMO.

 

[Sorcerer]

On the one hand I am very pleased that the project has actually been approved, and putting it in Bedford means it's cheaper to build than if it were closer to London, but I think this definitely raises the need to ensure the infrastructure around the park is up to scratch. If not through people travelling by train then definitely by cars driving up there and needing parking spaces, or through coach journeys needing terminus stops since coach companies will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to put on some new Universal branded route.

Maybe I'm also just projecting as well, but if the park isn't well connected then people might just not bother going there in the end. Changing trains once is fine, but the more you have to change the more your day is taken up just going there. So not only is this a strong case for the East West Rail route (which for me would bring that one change at Milton Keynes Central), but it might also be a strong case for a new Crossrail route (Crossrail 2 extension or even a new Crossrail 3) since the Thameslink route is already a major commuter belt with eight to twelve car trains. An additional relief line would ease capacity if coming from the south and through London.