'Poor communication' blamed for confusion over new multi-storey car park for Bedford Station
Bedford’s MP has blamed confusion over who will make the final decision on a proposed multi-storey car park at Bedford Station on ‘poor communication’ from the council.
The car park forms part of wider plans for changes around Bedford Midland station under the East West Rail (EWR) scheme.
In a Facebook post on April 14, Mr Mohammad Yasin said: “I am repeatedly told the final decision on the car park location rests with the council.”
He also said residents did not have a clear answer on whether the borough council supported a western-side car park or preferred development at the front of the station.
“It cannot be both”, he wrote.
But after the post, Bedford Borough Council issued a statement saying claims it had the final say on the car park location were “simply not true”.
Councillor Nicky Gribble, portfolio holder for environment said: “The council isn’t responsible for East West Rail. The council isn’t responsible for the new station. The council isn’t responsible for the homes that face being demolished.
“And the idea that we’re somehow given control of where the multi-storey car park goes? It’s off the rails, I’m afraid,” she added.
The council said it was a statutory consultee on the wider East West Rail scheme and would give its views once options were put forward by EWR.
Asked about the issue by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Mr Yasin said: “It is correct to say that the final decision on the car park will be made through the Development Consent Order process, with approval by the Secretary of State.”
In a new statement, Mr Yasin suggested that poor communication from the council had contributed to the uncertainty, adding that a response to a letter sent in December would “have helped avoid much of the confusion we now face”.
However, the council press release said the council had been “fully transparent” regarding the project.
Councillor Gribble said: “There’s a dedicated page on our website which includes details of all our meetings with the organisation, every consultation, FAQs and much more.
“We’ve held our own information events.”
The latest East West Rail consultation includes proposals for a multi-storey car park on the western side of the station.
East West Rail previously said it was working with the council, the MP and the wider community to shape plans for the proposed car park.
The company said it was consulting on the current proposals and would recommend a preferred option to the Department for Transport after considering feedback.
The consultation is due to run until June 9, 2026.
EWR was asked to comment on the MP’s new statement, but it did not respond at the time of publication.