Author:
Batrak Oleksandr
— Editor-in-Chief at Railway Supply
10.06.2026
Universal Resort transport investment will support a £1.3 billion transport and local infrastructure package linked to the planned Universal United Kingdom Resort in Bedfordshire.
The new Universal resort in Bedfordshire is expected to boost the entire UK economy© NBC Universal
The £1.3 billion package is intended to prepare the area for the resort’s expected opening-year demand, with visitor numbers forecast to reach 8.5 million in the first year.
The programme is designed to improve access for both local communities and visitors, while also supporting wider economic activity in Bedfordshire and along the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor.
Transport works form the largest part of the investment
Within the programme, transport works will form the largest part of the investment. The Department for Transport is expected to provide £474 million for road and rail improvements, including a new station at Wixams on the Midland Main Line and upgrades to local highway infrastructure serving the resort site.
The planned measures are intended to strengthen links between the development, London, nearby towns and international access points, including London Luton Airport.
Universal United Kingdom Resort planned near Bedford
The announcement follows earlier Government backing for the project and reflects the demand expected at the resort. Universal has described the development as one of the largest entertainment projects ever undertaken in Europe, while Government projections indicate that it could become the UK’s most visited tourist attraction.
The resort is planned for the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks site near Bedford. The development is expected to create around 20,000 construction jobs, followed by a further 8,000 permanent roles once operations begin.
According to estimates from the Government and the local authority, the project could add up to £50 billion to the UK economy by 2055.