EWR, Universal and Wixams

[mr_jrt]

The Midland mainline runs 4 tracks without gaps in between. If 2 platforms are built you can just shove the slow lines to the side. But you cannot do that if it's 4 platform. If it's 4 platform the fast lines need realigning. So this means if they go ahead without park go ahead with 2 platforms they will have demolish it and start over again. Apparently if Wixams don't spend the money they have been given they will lose it. That's what I read don't shoot me if I am wrong. Also if station build goes ahead with contingency in place you might as well do the 4 platform from start as you're doing almost all the work.

Surely you would just move the up slow out and build an island in the gap, leaving the other three lines untouched. If you later wanted to build a fast line island, you would move the down fast out as required and build the new island in the gap. No need to demolish anything?

Alternatively, if you built a central island facing the up fast and down slow and a side platform for the up slow (which would probably give a better alignment for the fasts as they could stay exactly where they are), you could later add another side platform for the down fast without demolishing anything. If you really wanted to penny pinch you could even leave the fast side of the island as just a gap (similar to what has recently been built at Dore) and build it out when you add the other side platform.

 

[Energy]

AIUI, if the station development is cancelled now, then the entire (six million??) pounds from the developer of Wixams as Section 106 money is lost for good.

£13m of S106 and £26m from the council. I'd expect the station to have buildings on both sides of the line, one for Wixams and one for Universal, with the S106 contributions funding the Wixams building & car park and Universal/council deciding who funds the rest.

The Midland mainline runs 4 tracks without gaps in between. If 2 platforms are built you can just shove the slow lines to the side. But you cannot do that if it's 4 platform. If it's 4 platform the fast lines need realigning. So this means if they go ahead without park go ahead with 2 platforms they will have demolish it and start over again.

The current 2 platforms on the slows plan would only require 1 slow track to be moved. You could do this with 4 platforms on the slows but a platform on both slows and fasts for the EMR Corbys seems more likely.

EMR Corbys run on the fasts apart from Bedford-Bedford Jcn when running towards London.

I hope the platforms have lots of safety built in. Trains flying at 125mph through there.

125mph running at Nuneaton, Rugby, and other stations. They just need large enough platforms that people can keep away from the yellow line.

Surely you would just move the up slow out and build an island in the gap, leaving the other three lines untouched. If you later wanted to build a fast line island, you would move the down fast out as required and build the new island in the gap. No need to demolish anything?

That or move both slows, single centre island and platform either side attached to station buildings.

Is reduced two-track operation possible on the MML?

 

[flitwickbeds]

Does anyone have an exact coordinate/latlong/w3w of where Wixams will be built? I always understood it to be in one location (52.0832663, -0.4889023, ie just off the B530)... until a load of houses were suddenly built there!

 

[richieb1971]

Does anyone have an exact coordinate/latlong/w3w of where Wixams will be built? I always understood it to be in one location (52.0832663, -0.4889023, ie just off the B530)... until a load of houses were suddenly built there!

Coincidentally I have a family member living a stones throw away from the track in one of the new homes. This would be a few hundred metres south of the station mark.

The track is on a 30 feet embankment at this location but I believe it becomes flatter at the station location.

It's a tad south of the B and M distribution warehouse on a brown field.

Screenshot of my own video looking at the location around 10 years ago from the nearby footbridge looking south. The station will be in this shot.

 

[InTheEastMids]

I happened to be looking at One.Network and noticed that there are two lengthy road closures being applied for by Network Rail along the Marston Vale route

Marston Road, Lidlington from September 2024 - March 2026
Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick from January 2025 - April 2026

It's noticeable from Google Street View that buildings adjacent to the railway at both locations have been demolished in the last couple of years are now fenced off.

It doesn't feel that mad to speculate that these closures are for bridge constructions.

 

[Energy]

It doesn't feel that mad to speculate that these closures are for bridge constructions.

Yes they are, it's mentioned in here. (Use CTRL+F for Manor Road, it's a very long document).

 

[InTheEastMids]

Yes they are, it's mentioned in here. (Use CTRL+F for Manor Road, it's a very long document).

Thanks, and I think what's particularly good to know is that NR/EWR are obviously starting to put pins in calendars to deliver actual works (rather than reports and slide decks)
Obviously this does align with the Budget announcement to accelerate this work.

 

[ProjectUNivers]

I happened to be looking at One.Network and noticed that there are two lengthy road closures being applied for by Network Rail along the Marston Vale route

Marston Road, Lidlington from September 2024 - March 2026
Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick from January 2025 - April 2026

It's noticeable from Google Street View that buildings adjacent to the railway at both locations have been demolished in the last couple of years are now fenced off.

It doesn't feel that mad to speculate that these closures are for bridge constructions

It looks like the road closures have been removed from one.network now.
It was definitely for a level crossing removal and bridge construction because I contacted the local highways dept with the one.network quoted job numbers and the council confirmed it's for a new bridge. The plans have clearly changed.

I wonder if the theme park happens and the station gets moved into free up space at Kempston Hardwick so they can build something different with the extra room??

I am documenting the construction of the theme park if it goes ahead and will also document the new stations and bridge. Look me up on socials if you're interested in what I'm doing. Project Universal is the username on YouTube and others.

 

[Edvid]

The Universal theme park has joined Wixams station as a regular feature in Bedford Borough committee meetings - specifically the Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.* Short and sweet, as you can see.

Unfortunately the Priority Projects Consultant who was meant to deliver an update on the theme park was absent, though Jon Shortland (the 2-platform station rep) did say discussions between Universal & central government were looking positive and a go/no-go decision is currently set to be made towards the end of the year. He also mentioned the 4P scheme would have to be built from scratch even when the 2P scheme (for which contract signoff is expected on 24 July - 5 days before the S106 deadline) gets underway; nonetheless proceeding with the 2P scheme was still deemed preferable to the risk that neither scheme happens if Universal decide not to proceed.

In addition to Bedford & Central Bedfordshire (the "host" local authorities), North & West Northamptonshire / Luton / Milton Keynes are also for the theme park.^ That was about as much as he could divulge without violating a non-disclosure agreement.

In terms of EWR, the 18-month closure of Marston Road level crossing is back on one.network. And thank you @ProjectUNivers for publishing the drone footage on your YouTube page. Here's hoping the projects come to fruition!

[* 18 July 2024 meeting link]

[^ 20 July 2024 update - on that note, here's a letter from the representative council leaders & CEOs to the Prime Minister (thanks again to ProjectUNivers)]

 

[ProjectUNivers]

The construction of Wixams railway station has begun .

 

[Edvid]

Bedford Borough Council ESCOSC meeting, 26 September 2024 - relevant 10-minute segment starts around 1:02:42 on the webcast.

The Priority Projects Consultant for BBC provided an update outlining the application process for the theme park and where things are at.

A submission of the Special Development Order by Universal & the Department for Culture, Media & Sport* is currently planned for mid-November, subject to a positive investment decision by the relevant parties. Formal talks on the financials have been underway for a couple of weeks or so.

After submission a 30-day consultation will be held in which consultees (the statutory ones, at least) can make their written representations to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.* Following consideration of the application and consultee responses their Planning Response Unit will write a report to the applicable Secretary of State - that would be Angela Rayner, at present - upon whose approval the SDO would become a Statutory Instrument (a form of secondary legislation).

BBC have a draft copy of the SDO (which will be fine-tuned over the coming weeks) and are pretty happy with it.

[* The DCMS / MHCLG are the government-side project sponsor / planning authority respectively]

 

[ProjectUNivers]

Morning all, Network rail were busy at Wixams this weekend. They took control of the line and were installing new gantry supports.

 

[Edvid]

A word on HOP Bedfordshire, the proposed film studio - it appears that Questpit Ltd (the developer) & Central Bedfordshire Council signed a Section 106 agreement on 11 June.

Application summary (CB/22/03616/FULL reapproved on 14 June)
Document list (including aforementioned S106)

 

[ProjectUNivers]

Slow but steady progress at Wixams Railway Station

 

[Edvid]

The next non-statutory consultation on EWR* (EDIT - for Connection Stage 3) is set to launch next month. Extract from this year's Autumn Budget:

East West Rail consultation – East West Rail will connect Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge and unlock land for housing and laboratories, supporting the wider Cambridge life sciences cluster. The Budget will announce the East West Rail consultation, the next step in the project, which will be launched by the Secretary of State for Transport in November 2024.

[* Next statutory consultation won't be for another year or so]

 

[Edvid]

The latest non-statutory consultation is now up. Quoted below is a paragraph from the (very long!) EWR technical report in relation to Universal:

EWR Co is aware that Universal Destinations & Experiences is exploring the potential to develop a theme park and resort next to the MVL north of Stewartby. The proposals for the MVL presented in this consultation do not take account of the Universal development. EWR Co is discussing the proposals with Universal Destinations & Experiences and Bedford Borough Council and considering the implications of the theme park and resort for the railway.

That could be a factor in the statutory consultation having been set back. A positive decision on the theme park would see the transportation requirements come to light in more detail, and then EWR's refined proposal would account for them in the statutory consultation.

In the meantime, it is proposed (as part of CS3) that Stewartby station gets a third platform for services to/from Cambridge. If the "Consolidated Stations Option" (including closure of Kempston Hardwick) is chosen by EWR then Stewartby would also be relocated 300 metres (or 1 kilometre) closer to Bedford.

 

[Mgameing123]

Agreed.
However, the only issue with people movers is they seem to be extraordinarily expensive to build in this country, if you look at the recent Luton DART project!

What about a free shuttle bus?

 

[AlastairFraser]

What about a free shuttle bus?

Maybe. An autonomous shuttle may work if on a relatively quiet road.

 

[Mgameing123]

Maybe. An autonomous shuttle may work if on a relatively quiet road.

No just some standard Enviro 200 owned by some random independant or the theme park themselves should do fine.

 

[AlastairFraser]

No just some standard Enviro 200 owned by some random independant or the theme park themselves should do fine.

Issue is that incurs a lot of running costs, with the wages of several drivers. Automation makes sense in a confined environment.

 

[Mgameing123]

Issue is that incurs a lot of running costs, with the wages of several drivers. Automation makes sense in a confined environment.

A shuttle bus is very cheap to operate compared to an entire train.

 

[A S Leib]

Does Vauxhall's withdrawal from Luton and consolidation in Ellesmere Port make Universal Bedfordshire any likelier, if there's a demand for the government to (be seen to) do something to provide jobs to replace a large employer?

 

[Edvid]

The government is looking set to back the Universal theme park, according to Bloomberg (article reposted by the Financial Post).

UK Poised to Back Heathrow Airport Expansion in Push for Growth

Keir Starmer’s government is preparing to approve controversial expansions to three London airports as part of a push to spur growth that’s become more urgent this …

financialpost.com

Published Jan 20, 2025

Ministers are set to publicly signal support for a long-sought third runway at Heathrow, sign off on plans to bring the second strip at Gatwick into full-time use, and allow an increase in the capacity at Luton Airport, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked for anonymity discussing plans that haven’t been finalized.

[...]

Other projects poised to be signed off after being delayed are the Lower Thames Crossing, a road tunnel beneath London’s Thames River, and a Universal Studios theme park north of the capital, the people said.

 

[Edvid]

Whilst talks between the government and Universal are still ongoing, the other project in that area (HOP Bedfordshire) is on hold as the company its developer* belonged to folded last year.

[* Verb Create Holdings Ltd, not Questpit Ltd as I previously inferred from the S106 deed]

Plans for film studios in Stewartby halted as developer folds

The owner of the developer says it is in confidential talks regarding the development of the site.

www.bbc.co.uk

Tony Fisher
BBC News, Bedfordshire
Published 29 January 2025

Construction on a new film studio at a former quarry has been halted after the developer behind the project closed down.

Plans for the Home of Production, external studio at Quest Pit, near Stewartby were approved by Central Bedfordshire Council in August 2023.

The development off Ampthill Road, which was due be operational this year, would have included multiple sound stages, workshops and on-site accommodation for staff.

The US firm, Cathexis, which owned the developer Verb Create Holdings Ltd, said it was in confidential discussions regarding development of the site.

Cathexis owned the construction firm ISG, which collapsed last year.

Verb Create Holdings Ltd was part of ISG and is listed on Companies House, external as "active proposal to strike off" - the process of removing a company from the register after it has been closed down.

Work paused​

Katya Baker, who was paid by Verb Create Holdings ltd as a consultant on the project working under her company Quartermaster, said her role was to secure funds and planning consent, which she achieved, but a week after it was granted she was told to "stand down".

Ms Baker said "it was a huge blow as I had put my everything into HOP" which she believed would be "a great success".

HOP was a brand set up by various partners including the developer and Quartermaster, Ms Baker said. The BBC has approached HOP for comment.

She added: "Ultimately, the decision was called by the investor behind Verb and ISG, on matters unrelated to the studio arena, although I am sure that the industry strikes at that time did not help, and ran in parallel with Sunset Studio going on hold which was significant news within the market."

David Kohler, who owns the land at Quest Pit, told the BBC he had signed a non-disclosure agreement and would not comment further.

Central Bedfordshire Council said "it was aware that the film studio is no longer being processed by Home of Production".

 

[deltic]

Looks like the Univeral Studio announcement will be made soon according to the Financial Times.

A deal could be announced as early as next week, according to two people close to the negotiations, which have been under way since last summer

Also states

Andy Williams, chair of the Ox-Cam supercluster board which represents a coalition of industry, university and investor interests, added the theme park would also help make the business case for completing the final section of East-West Rail route between Bedford and Cambridge

Based on attendance at Chessington World of Adventure and passenger numbers at Chessington South station, I would be surprised if any more than 10-15% of visitors actually came by rail to a location which is easily served by road and is further out of London.

 

[richieb1971]

Since the capture area is Europe and Universal are trying to get train deals with Universal tickets I'd imagine trains will be quite a large percentage. At least 30 percent. Logistically getting 5000 to 8000 employees to work creates a problem in itself.

Chessington isn't Universal. Universal is a worldwide brand and people will visit it from all over the world. The scale is massively different.

 

[PGAT]

Based on attendance at Chessington World of Adventure and passenger numbers at Chessington South station, I would be surprised if any more than 10-15% of visitors actually came by rail to a location which is easily served by road and is further out of London.

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

 

[richieb1971]

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

If universal did Chessington numbers it would be considered a dramatic failure. The lowest figure for Universal studio park is 9 million per year. Japan gets 13 million per year. Chessington get 1.5 million.

 

[stevieinselby]

Based on attendance at Chessington World of Adventure and passenger numbers at Chessington South station, I would be surprised if any more than 10-15% of visitors actually came by rail to a location which is easily served by road and is further out of London.

I can't think of a major theme park anywhere in the UK that has good rail access.
Chessington is about as close as it gets, but that is only a half-hourly service to the end of a suburban branch line, ¾ mile from the entrance.
Because of the shape of the network, it's quite an indirect route for a lot of people who don't have a direct service (which is most people).
Conversely Wixams will be served by a more frequent and more extensive Thameslink network and with easy access to East-West Rail and potentially the wider EMR network if the calling patterns are tweaked.

And heck, even if only 10% of visitors come by train, that's still potentially a very large number of passengers and is likely to make quite a dent in the road traffic (more than 10%, because people coming with a full car are more likely to still come by car, the train will predominantly remove cars with only 1 or 2 people in).

 

[pbin]

If universal did Chessington numbers it would be considered a dramatic failure. The lowest figure for Universal studio park is 9 million per year. Japan gets 13 million per year. Chessington get 1.5 million.

They are aiming for 20 million visitors per year according to a Sky News interview posted to X with Ian King discussing the park (at 1:47):

“Universal are gunning for some 20 million visitors”

They also disclose that Sky News and Universal are Comcast owned.