East West Rail and Bedford Hospital working in partnership on new care hub and parking
Mohammad Yasin MP has welcomed assurances from East West Railway Company (EWR) over hospital parking and the proposed Elective Care Hub in Bedford, but is continuing to press the company to avoid demolishing homes near Bedford station.
The comments follow an announcement by EWR and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that they had agreed what they described as a “collaborative approach” to the delivery of both the railway project and the Trust’s planned Elective Care Hub.
Bedford and Kempston MP Mr Yasin said it was “good to hear” that EWR had agreed there would be no reduction in parking spaces at Bedford Hospital either during construction work or after the railway project is completed.
He said: “Ensuring patients, visitors and staff can continue to access the hospital without additional disruption is essential.”
“It is good to hear that East West Rail has listened to the concerns raised by Bedford Hospital and agreed that there will be no reduction in hospital parking spaces, either during construction or once the project is complete.
“I am also pleased that concerns regarding the impact of the railway works on the proposed Elective Care Hub have now been successfully addressed, allowing this important healthcare investment to move forward with greater certainty.”
The MP added that it was “encouraging” that EWR had listened to Queen’s Park residents and is”committed to improving plans relating to station car parking”.
“I continue to urge East West Rail to look again at options for delivering four tracks in a way that avoids the demolition of homes and properties around the station,” he said.
“Residents deserve to know that every alternative has been fully explored before irreversible decisions are made.”
EWR said discussions between it and Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had included proposals affecting land around Bedford St Johns station, including the hospital’s existing car park and plans for a replacement multi-storey car park.
The company said it was undertaking traffic modelling work and developing construction phasing plans which it said would ensure there was no reduction in parking spaces during construction or after the project was completed.
David Hughes, EWR ceo, said: “We’re really pleased to have agreed a collaborative approach that enables both the East West Rail project and Bedford Hospital’s Elective Care Hub plans to move forward together more effectively.
“This positive outcome reflects a shared commitment to delivering long-term benefits for Bedford communities while maintaining safe access to hospital services and minimising disruption for patients, staff and visitors throughout construction.”
Melanie Banks, director of redevelopment at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our overriding priority is to ensure delivery of the EWR scheme and the Bedford Hospital redevelopment efficiently and to a high standard.
“We anticipate sustained, thorough and detailed engagement as the EWR project develops, ensuring that outstanding questions are fully addressed.”
People in Bedford can learn more about the latest designs for East West Rail during a consultation event on Saturday, May 23 (11am-6pm) at The King’s House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ.
For more information about the current East West Rail consultation and how to get involved, please visit the consultation page, contact EWR Co’s helpdesk at [email protected] or call 0330 134 0067.
Feedback must be received by 11:59pm on June 9, 2026.