Wixams railway station

Last updated

Wixams
National Rail logo.svg
General information
Location Wixams, Borough of Bedford
England
Coordinates 52°05′13″N0°29′12″W / 52.08707°N 0.48670°W / 52.08707; -0.48670
Grid reference TL037443

Wixams railway station is a railway station in construction on the Midland Main Line serving the Wixams new town development in Bedfordshire, England. [1] The station will be situated between Bedford and Flitwick.

The station was due to be completed in 2015, [2] but Network Rail withdrew their promise of funding. In 2017, Gallagher Estates applied for funding from the government for the station. [3]

In July 2017, it was reported the site would be located further north as part of the East West Rail project. [4]

In January 2019, East West Railway Company revealed 5 options for a potential Bedford-Cambridge route, with 3 of the options proposing a new station at Bedford South close to Wixams. However in January 2020, the preferred route was announced which does not include a Bedford South station. [5]

In January 2022 Bedford Borough Council announced that it has chosen a preferred design for the new station with completion of the station slated for 2024. [6]

By August 2024, preparation work for the site had started, [7] with works officially starting in December. [8] The station is intended to have up to 350 parking spaces with two platforms, and is set to open late 2026. [9]

The station is close to the planned Universal theme park. The station is expected to be significantly expanded in size, to four platforms, if the park is built as planned. [10]

Preceding station National Rail logo.svg National Rail Following station
 Proposed future services 
Thameslink

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References

  1. "Application submitted for Wixams railway station link - Local - Bedford Today". www.bedfordtoday.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012.
  2. "The Wixams, Bedfordshire | A new railway station providing regular services to London and the wider regions". thewixams.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011.
  3. "Bedfordshire onsunday has closed".
  4. "New location proposed for Wixams". 16 July 2017.
  5. "Bedford to Cambridge Train Line". East West Rail.
  6. Hutchinson, Paul (14 January 2022). "Preferred design of Wixams train station revealed with 2024 completion still 'on track'".
  7. "Wixams new £62m railway station will be 'amazing thing'". BBC News. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  8. Hutchinson, Editorial Column, Paul (6 December 2024). "Opinion: For almost 20 years I've reported on a station at Wixams, it's great to finally see building work start". Bedford Independent. Retrieved 9 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  9. "Wixams Station - Overview | Bedford Borough Council". www.bedford.gov.uk. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
  10. "Universal resort could mean bigger Wixams railway station". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 4 July 2024.