19/03/2026
A call to action: Land at Lower Farm Road, Bromham, a development wants to block the corridor access to the Midland Main Line for a new rail link with Northampton. This is crucial to save the land for the railway, as with Universal courting 8 million people per year, 26, 000 jobs; unless we improve the local rail networks and infrastructure, land will be guzzled for new roads and endless parking!
Likewise, old Bedford-Sandy trackbed under threat from 1000 houses and other associated developments West of Willington, east of Bedford. Our rail route is much more versatile than a mooted Northern Route and we need people to email Bedford Borough Council and tell them to put the protection of the rail corridor first!
Dear All,
However:
1. Our route 'east of Bedford, via St John's' should and needs championing - ask if unsure. I am here most days for limited time.
2. Northern Route is not guaranteed either, so if we lose our route, and Northern flounders, no rail via Bedford to Cambridge.
3. We need champions for our route - maybe a dedicated page on the website can help direct objections and support in equal measure?
4. The development will block our trackbed and realignment routing of Willington
5. 1000 houses at average of 2.5 cars per household is 2500 cars on the A603 per day, it is a busy single carriageway road with congestion now.
6. No proposal to dual or upgrade the road, all ends up at Sandy A1 Junction and Bedford urban cordons underscoring gridlocked congestion, especially Rope Walk and Longholme.
7. Flood plain, flooding likely, des-res, but at a collateral cost.
For these reasons, this development must be opposed.
We do need an east-west rail link and our route has been shown to be viable.
Whilst I have stepped down as both CEO and Bedford Area Rep due to personal circumstances beyond my control, I remain a BRTA EC Officer and due to connections with Bedford and care, remain committed to getting as many on board to make BRTA successful. The objections to the development stand on their own merit and so our rail route needs champions and should be supported.
Please join BRTA and strengthen our numbers: https://brtarail.com/become-a-member/
Yours sincerely,
Richard Pill
BRTA EC Member.
Ps. BTW, for documents please see Simon Barber via [email protected]
93 dwellings land North of Lower Farm Road - The full reference number is 26/00249/MAO and the alternative reference is PP-14585723. The Case Officer is Rachel Duncan.
Land West of Willington - The full reference number is 25/01839/EIASCP (already decided in January), and an Environmental Impact Assessment is now required.
Email: to [email protected] now, it is never too late! It is worth trying. Email/copy your local MP too. It is nationwide strategic rail infrastructure we want, otherwise it is congestion gridlock, land loss, emissions and rising costs, let alone health related issues from too much traffic!
British Regional Transport Association -BRTA
