A council leader has warned that vital infrastructure upgrades are required if plans for the first Universal Studios theme park in the UK go ahead.
Universal Destinations & Experiences has announced that it will build its first UK resort on a site that includes former brickworks at Kempston Hardwick near Bedford.
Independent leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Adam Zerny, said while the plans were “great news”, work was needed to improve the area including around junction 13 of the M1, a key route for accessing the proposed site from the west.
A formal planning application has not been submitted, but Mr Zerny said the council had been in close contact with the company over the past year and continued to press for major transport improvements.
“Universal is well aware of the infrastructure needs that we have continually put forward on behalf of residents,” Mr Zerny said.
“We will continue to lobby the government for what we need in this area.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reports that a full public consultation on the plans is expected to be run by the government later this year.
