Calls grow for direct trains to new Universal park

There are growing calls for more train services to run directly to Universal's planned UK theme park.

West Northamptonshire Council said it had written to the secretary of state for transport to ask that Northampton be included in passenger service plans for East West Rail.

It comes after Northampton South's Labour MP Mike Reader raised the issue in the House of Commons, warning the current plans meant the town could "miss out on the opportunities" the park brings.

The planned attraction, near Bedford, is expected to draw 8.5 million visitors a year when it opens in 2031, with ambitions for it to become Europe's most-visited theme park.

The Reform UK-led council said despite freight services to Northampton Gateway, there were currently no plans for passenger services for the town.

"The council argues this exclusion places Northampton residents and businesses at a significant disadvantage," it said.

A link could create stronger employment links to Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and Oxford, a better connection to Luton Airport and a strengthened role for the town within the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, it added.

At the moment, passengers have to change trains at Bletchley to access East West Rail and travel on routes between Oxford and Cambridge.

The authority's leader Mark Arnull said: "Northampton already has the infrastructure in place, with freight trains running on this route, yet our residents are currently excluded from using it.

"That simply cannot be right.

"This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to connect our communities to jobs, investment and growth, and we must not be left behind."

He also asked for a meeting with Ministers to discuss how Northampton can be included in plans so "it can benefit from the investment".

Earlier this month the government revealed it had committed £1.3bn in funding to the resort.

It will go towards upgrading local infrastructure and transport links to help accommodate visitors from across the UK and overseas.

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