How East West Rail would benefit the area
East West Rail would make it easier to get around the Marston Vale area as well as providing faster connections to the rest of the UK and beyond. The new railway would also encourage investment in public services and connect local communities to jobs and days out with friends and family using transport that’s greener for the environment.
Transforming the Marston Vale Line
East West Rail will transform the Marston Vale Line with four brand new, fully accessible stations at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Lidlington and Stewartby, replacing the nine smaller stations that date back to the 1840s.
We understand that these stations are valued by local people and form an important part of the area's heritage. That’s why we’re working with communities and partners to look at how we can protect listed buildings that are close to the stations and repurpose some parts of the stations for community use, such as Fenny Stratford’s existing platform as well as sections of the platforms at Woburn Sands, Ridgmont and Millbrook.
New stations
Woburn Sands station will support the existing community and nearby developments including the South East Milton Keynes development and the East of Wavendon Strategic Urban Expansion.
Ridgmont station will serve Brogborough, Aspley Guise, Ridgmont, the M1 motorway and surrounding development opportunities.
Lidlington station will support the village and the nearby Marston Valley development.
Stewartby station will serve Stewartby village and provide access to local developments including the new Universal resort and the Stewartby Brickworks housing development.
A new Woburn Sands station to support local growth
Woburn Sands is changing, and a new station will make sure that change works for local people by making everyday journeys easier and more reliable. It will be easy to access by walking, wheeling, cycling or driving from the South East Milton Keynes Strategic Urban Extension (SEMK), which will provide new housing, green spaces, schools and community spaces. The station will also include connections to Bow Brickhill and Brickhill Road.
New platforms, footpath upgrades, passenger facilities, footbridges, lifts and a new pedestrian crossing on Newport Road will mean that the station is easy to use for families, visitors travelling with luggage and local residents alike. Together, these improvements will make the railway a practical and reliable choice for everyday journeys in and around Woburn Sands.
Stewartby station and the Universal resort
Stewartby station will be vital in supporting the proposed Universal resort and the wider investment it represents for the region. The resort is set to bring nearly £50 billion in economic benefit by 2055, support around 28,000 jobs across construction, hospitality and the creative industries, and attract up to 12 million visitors a year.
Getting to the Universal resort will be quick and easy from Bedford. The new station at Stewartby is being designed to accommodate large numbers of visitors and serve existing and future communities living and working nearby. Features such as wider platforms, improved entrances, lifts and footbridges will help ensure the station is easy to use for families, visitors travelling with luggage and local residents alike.
Together, these improvements will help Stewartby become an important gateway to one of the region’s most significant new destinations while continuing to support everyday journeys for local people.