UK commits £500m for transport to secure Universal theme park deal in Bedford

The deal to build Universal’s new theme park in Bedford was secured with a package of support that included £500m of public investment in rail and road infrastructure, it has emerged.

Comcast, the parent company of Universal, is in negotiations over the final scale of the overall government assistance package, which could be expanded beyond infrastructure investment.

The entertainment company, which had been considering a number of countries in which to build the park, announced in April that it would build the attraction on a 192-hectare (476-acre) site at the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks.

The significant government offer of financial support for the project comes amid a push by Keir Starmer and the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to kickstart sluggish economic growth.

The approximately half a billion pounds in infrastructure spending comprises £270m in rail upgrades including a new station at Wixams, which had originally been planned more than 20 years ago, and about £200m for road works according to the Financial Times, which first reported the arrangement.

Last year, Bedford borough council entered an agreement with Network Rail to construct a two-platform station at Wixams at a cost of £62.6m.

However, local councillors said at the time that if the Universal theme park was approved it would need significantly more investment, with a much bigger four-platform station.

The government has said the theme park, which is due to open in 2031, will bring a £50bn boost to Britain’s economy and create 20,000 jobs in construction, with a further 8,000 operational roles once it is up and running.

About 8.5 million visitors are expected in its first year of operations, with Comcast estimating the UK will take in an additional £14.1bn in tax over 20 years from the site.

In April, the government overruled planning inspectors and approved an almost doubling of capacity at Luton airport, which is expected to be one of the main air hubs used by visitors to the park.

Comcast’s plans are still to be scrutinised by the Planning Inspectorate, with a final decision made by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Comcast, the Treasury, the Department for Transport and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport declined to comment.