‘Bedfordshire village risks becoming a park-and-ride site for Universal’ claim

If a planned two-storey 490-space car park is built in the village, as part of the East West Rail project, it would be scheduled for completion before an alternative parking option at Ridgmont, according to Conservative Cranfield and Marston Moretaine councillor Sue Clark.

But East West Rail says there are no plans for Lidlington “being designed or promoted as a park‑and‑ride”. Instead it would be “a railway station for local rail users”, the company confirmed.

Councillor Clark said in a social media post: “East West Rail wants an increase from three passenger trains each way to up to five daily to serve the theme park.

“These proposals include the complete electrification of the line between Bletchley and Stewartby. East West Rail will need to close more road crossings than before, and upgrade the station capacity.

“The company is planning a 490-space two-storey car park next to the new station in Lidlington. I hear this was described to some residents at a recent consultation event as suitable for people to park at Lidlington and visit Universal Studios.

“We absolutely cannot have Lidlington turned into a park-and-ride for the theme park. This becomes more likely because the intended new Ridgmont station next to junction 13, which would be ideal as a park-and-ride, isn’t due to be built until late in the project.

“That seems to be predicated on 3,000 houses getting planning permission at Aspley Guise. East West Rail will be seeking developer contributions for the station build.

“These houses aren’t a current allocation in the CBC Local Plan, although the company representatives I spoke to at the consultation event seemed confident this housing would come forward.

“Such a risk that the new Ridgmont station may not come forward would pile the pressure on Lidlington. It feels like the village is in danger of becoming collateral damage for East West Rail and Universal Studios.”

Councillor Clark has expressed concerns previously about the harm to local communities caused by closing Millbrook crossing and the subsequent diversion through Lidlington, up Bury Ware and back along the A507.

“This would especially impact Marston, Millbrook and Lidlington, if it goes ahead,” she wrote on Facebook. “But the effect on Lidlington goes even further. I promise you I’m doing everything I can to try and get these dreadful proposals changed.”

East West Rail said in a statement yesterday (May 27): “The company’s consultation team visited Lidlington earlier this month to talk through our proposals and importantly to listen to local views.

“We understand the concerns people have about parking and traffic impacts across the Marston Vale. We want to be clear that Lidlington isn’t being designed or promoted as a park‑and‑ride, but as a station for local rail users.

“Plans for stations and parking along the route, including at Ridgmont, are still being developed. We continue to work closely with CBC and other partners to ensure that when stations open parking provision is balanced and appropriate across the network.

“We’re carefully assessing the traffic impacts linked to level crossing closures and station upgrades, with mitigation measures being introduced where needed.

“Community feedback remains central to how our designs evolve, and we would encourage as many people as possible to share their views as part of the current consultation.”

Responses to that consultation process can be made by Tuesday, June 9 via: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation/consultation2026