Tom Wootton, Bedford’s mayor and leader of Bedford Borough Council, says he is confident that Universal’s proposed UK theme park will be delivered with government support.
Bedford Borough councillors voted to unanimously back the plans for a new Universal theme park and resort near Bedford on Thursday (21 August).
Speaking to the BBC, Wootton said the atmosphere at the council meeting was “wonderful”, adding: “The mood in the chamber was really excited and councillors were agreeing with each other across parties.”
In response to concerns that visitors to a major theme park could overwhelm local roads, Wootton said Universal would work to prevent traffic through infrastructure upgrades and new roads.
“You don’t arrive at a theme park calm and relaxed if you have spent an hour in a traffic jam,” he said.
“[Universal want guests to feel] at ease on holiday from the minute they get off the aeroplane.”
In terms of “the stress on the housing market”, Wootton said: “Hopefully it won’t be as bad as some of the naysayers have said.”
Mayor addresses UK theme park concerns
He added that the Universal site had “an awful lot of ground” around it, and said there would be significant distance from nearby homes.
A multibillion-pound deal was agreed for Universal’s resort in Bedfordshire in April, and Universal has already submitted a planning application for the project.
Last month, the UK government launched an open consultation on the plans, which will close at midday on 31 August.
Planning documents have revealed that the proposed UK theme park could feature the tallest rides in Europe when it opens in 2031.
Universal has said the resort will generate nearly £50 billion of economic benefit and create 28,000 jobs by 2055.
Last week, the entertainment giant revealed that more than 18,000 people have expressed interest in future job opportunities at the UK park.
Images courtesy of Universal
