Government confirms £1.3bn transport package to support Universal UK resort
A £1.3bn programme of transport and local infrastructure investment has been confirmed alongside plans for the Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire, placing road and rail upgrades at the centre of one of the UK's largest tourism and regeneration projects.
image: NBC Universal
The investment package accompanies Comcast NBCUniversal's commitment to develop its first theme park and resort in Europe, with the attraction scheduled to open in 2031.
The Government said the funding package will be used to improve transport connections and supporting infrastructure needed to accommodate an expected 8.5m visitors in the resort's first year. The funding is intended to ensure both local communities and visitors can access the site while supporting wider economic growth across Bedfordshire and the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor.
Transport improvements form the largest component of the investment. The Department for Transport is expected to provide £474m for road and rail enhancements, including a new station at Wixams on the Midland Main Line and upgrades to local highway infrastructure serving the development. The measures are designed to improve connectivity between the resort, London, neighbouring towns and international gateways including London Luton Airport.
The infrastructure package follows previous government support for the project and reflects the scale of the anticipated visitor demand. Universal has described the resort as one of the largest entertainment developments ever undertaken in Europe, while government projections suggest it could become the UK's most visited tourist attraction.
The wider development will be constructed on the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site near Bedford and is expected to generate around 20,000 construction jobs, with a further 8,000 permanent jobs once operational. Government and local authority estimates suggest the project could contribute up to £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.
Beyond transport infrastructure, the Government-backed package includes investment in local community facilities and supporting services required to accommodate growth associated with the development.
Construction activity has already begun on site following planning approval granted through a Special Development Order, with Bedford Borough Council describing the project as a transformational opportunity for the region. The resort is expected to include themed attractions, hotels, retail and entertainment facilities, creating a new tourism destination intended to attract visitors from across the UK and overseas.