The UK government has said it will back the plans for a new Universal Studios theme park in Bedfordshire.
Universal Destinations & Experiences confirmed plans for a UK theme park in December after buying 480 acres of land in Stewartby.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper has now said he has been briefed about the project, and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has also been involved.
Speaking at transport questions in the Commons, Labour MP Mohammad Yasin said the scheme would bring “enormous prosperity and jobs” to his constituency and the local area.
He added: “Given road infrastructure funding has already been allocated until 2025, will the government commit to supporting this exciting project and funding the substantial road improvements that will be necessary for this plan to go ahead?”
Harper replied: “I’m very familiar with that scheme – I’ve been briefed on it myself, and I know the Chancellor has been involved in this as well.
“We will look very carefully at the proposals put forward, and I know the government will want to do what we can to make sure that this exciting proposal comes to fruition.”
Universal Destinations & Experiences currently operates theme parks in Hollywood and Orlando, and in Japan, Beijing and Singapore.
“Exciting proposal” for UK attraction
The company is expanding in the US with two new parks – Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, and Universal Epic Universe in Orlando. It’s also opening a permanent horror experience at Area15 in Las Vegas.
In a statement confirming plans for a UK park in December, Universal said: “We recently acquired land in Bedford and are at the early stages of exploring its feasibility for a potential park and resort at this site.
“It will be many months before we are ready to make a decision to proceed and we look forward to engaging with all relevant stakeholders and the local community.”
Labour MP for Mid Bedfordshire Alistair Strathern previously told the BBC he had been in “lots of discussions with Universal”.
Images courtesy of Universal
