Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire: Transport Links

Thursday 11 June 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are delivering a 1.3 billion package of transport and infrastructure improvements across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
  • The Secretary confirmed that the planning of new stations at Tempsford and Cambourne will include design considerations for bus, cycle, and foot travel connections.
  • The Government have appointed an operator to run East West Rail, completing work at Winslow station.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Sollom Lib Dem St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
Transport
Context

The Universal United Kingdom resort is set to be a major employer and visitor destination, requiring sustainable transportation solutions.

Question

What steps are being taken by the government to improve transport links between Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire in light of the new Universal United Kingdom resort?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

The Government are delivering a £1.3 billion package of transport and infrastructure improvements across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, including £474 million of investment in strategic road and rail upgrades around Bedford, a new four-platform station at Wixams, and improvements to the A421 serving the Universal United Kingdom resort. The Government have also committed £2.5 billion for East West Rail over the spending review period, with a new station at Stewartby to serve Universal. Just last week, we announced £117 million for a new eastern entrance at Bletchley.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Sollom Lib Dem St Neots and Mid Cambridgeshire
Transport
Context

East West Rail is central to sustainable travel for Universal resort visitors, and constituents need reliable transport connections.

Question

Can the Secretary of State confirm that the planning of the new stations at Tempsford and Cambourne will include design considerations for bus, cycle, and foot travel connections? Will she also review provision for an additional new station to the east of St Neots?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I am really pleased that we are accelerating the delivery of a new station at Tempsford, which will be the connection between East West Rail and the east coast main line. The Chancellor brought that forward in her Budget in 2024, and I want to make sure that public transport services are properly integrated with new stations, whether that is at Tempsford or Cambourne. As for a potential new station east of St Neots, the hon. Gentleman will be aware that the current proposals include new stations at Tempsford and Cambourne. We are pursuing further opportunities across the Oxford-Cambridge growth corridor, but any future station would need to demonstrate value for money, affordability and local support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answerer did not provide a direct confirmation or commitment regarding the review of an additional new station east of St Neots.

How: Asking The Questioner If He Is Aware Of Current Proposals

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Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Transport
Context

East West Rail was announced as a key transport connection but faces operational delays due to union disputes.

Question

Given the unresolved dispute between unions and the Government regarding staffing on East West Rail, what assurance can be given that Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire residents will be able to travel to Universal by rail?

Answer from Heidi Alexander

I would caution the hon. Gentleman against his indignant tone, given the inheritance that we received from his Government on East West Rail. When we came into office, no operator had been appointed to run East West Rail; we got on with it and did it. We had to finish the work at Winslow station; we got on with it and did it. We need to ensure that services on East West Rail are fit for the sort of usage that is now likely to happen, given that planning permission has been granted for Universal, and that includes the nature of staffing on the rail line. As the Minister for Aviation said in response to a previous question, Chiltern Railways is leading the discussions, and we are keen to see services enter into operation as soon as possible.

Not addressed: The answerer shifted focus from operational delays to past governance issues without addressing the specific ask about assurance of rail services.

How: Accusation Of Inheritance, Avoidance Of Current Disputes

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