Friends of Bedford Railway Station

07/04/2026

>>East West Rail announces details of last route-wide public consultation events (The next and final consultation: 14 April – 9 June 2026)

A series of public drop-in events are being held by East West Rail Co across the route to provide opportunities to talk with experts from EWR Co to find out more about the updated proposals, ask questions and submit feedback.

>>Online Events:

- Monday 20th April - 6.30pm-8pm
Online webinar: https://shorturl.at/LdoK2

- Wednesday 6th May - 3pm-4.30pm
Online webinar: https://shorturl.at/61gDs

- Tuesday 2nd June - 10.30am-12pm
Online webinar: https://shorturl.at/ljyQ0

>>In Person Event in Bedford:

- Saturday 23rd May - 11am-6pm
King's House, 245 Ampthill Road, Bedford, MK42 9AZ

Other in-person events available elsewhere on route - see EWR webpage (link below).

- There will be 15 consultation events include weekend sessions and online webinars, and a virtual consultation room to maximise public engagement

The eight-week consultation will run from 14 April to 9 June 2026, offering communities along the route a vital opportunity to have their say on the latest plans and help shape the final design of the railway before a Development Consent Order is submitted in 2027.

The consultation will provide latest designs and information on East West Rail, including:

- New visualisation images of stations and fly-through animations of route sections
- More details on a phased construction period to deliver parts of the project earlier so that communities feel the benefits sooner
- New stations/upgrades to existing stations
- Proposed service patterns and carriage lengths to meet the demand for Universal theme park
- Level crossings
- Discontinuous electrification with hybrid electric/battery trains to support net zero goals
- Reducing environmental impacts and a commitment to biodiversity net gain

For those unable to attend in person, all consultation materials will be available online, with multiple ways to provide feedback.

While this is the last route-wide consultation, EWR Co will be continuing to engage with communities as the design is finalised ahead of DCO submission.

For more information about the consultation and how to get involved, please visit the consultation page: www.eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation/consultation2026.
[Available from Tuesday 14th April]

Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity

Join us on Monday 20 April at 18:30-20:00 to find out more about East West Rail and how you can take part in our consultation.

19/02/2026

Good to see Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre has reopened - just a a 23min train ride from Bedford Midland hourly departure (mostly) 13 mins to the hour (eg 09:47;10:47:11:47 etc) or St Johns a couple of mins later.

Return Fare from just £6.40 - and if you have a Bedford Bus Pass it's half fare after 10am.

Return train nominally 9 mins past the hour.

Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership We Are Bedford Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association Bedford Borough Council London Northwestern Railway Thameslink

A really special day today as our very own Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre re-opened after the winter break! It was great to welcome a steady flow of visitors.

Huge thanks to our amazing team of Friends of Ridgmont Station volunteers who have worked incredibly hard behind the scenes preparing for today and have extended their role to serving tea/coffee, homemade cakes & scones to visitors.

Look forward to doing it all over again tomorrow! The Heritage Centre is now open Wednesday – Friday 11:00 – 3:00. Free entry!
We have a lego club tomorrow too!


Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity
Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre
Forest of Marston Vale The Higgins Bedford
Bletchley Park
London Northwestern Railway
Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association
Bedford Independent
Raring2go Bedford Youth Inspired
Bedford Credit Union Gallone's Ice Cream Bedford
Central Bedfordshire Council
Community Rail Network EMR Community Rail
Blake Stephenson MP Cakes By Elaine

12/02/2026

Bedford Borough Council to hold a further community engagement meeting this Monday evening 16th Feb for Bedford residents to look at the latest East West Rail proposals and the Council's reponse to these.

Need to book in advance to attend - details below

Bedford Borough Council will hold its latest community engagement session about the East West Rail (EWR) proposals next week.

The event, which is open to all residents, will take place in-person at Borough Hall, on Monday 16 February from 6-7.30pm.

This is part of the Council’s work to ensure residents are kept informed about EWR, how we are engaging with the scheme, and what we are doing to promote and protect the interests of our Borough and our residents.

We recognise that the proposals raise important questions for residents across Bedford, not only those living directly along the proposed route. This session is an opportunity to learn more about the proposals, understand the Council’s position and approach, and share your views so they can inform our formal response to EWR.

At the session, council officers will:

•Provide the Council’s understanding of the updated EWR proposals

•Explain how the Council is responding on behalf of Bedford Borough

•Listen to community views, concerns and questions

•Outline how feedback will be reflected in the Council’s formal response.

•The East West Rail project is a multi-billion-pound rail link being built between Oxford and Cambridge, with Bedford at its centre. It is being delivered by the East West Rail Company (EWR Co), a government-owned company.

Bedford Borough Council has expressed serious concerns about aspects of the scheme, including the announcement late last year that the organisation plans to demolish an additional 53 homes and businesses on Ashburnham Road including a GP surgery and the Dom Polski venue.

Please note, this session does not replace the EWR design update meetings taking place next week.

Those sessions remain the primary opportunity for residents to hear directly from EWR on emerging designs. This Council-led session is focused on listening to residents, explaining the DCO process, and understanding local concerns so that we can take these forward appropriately.

Click the link in the comments for how to book a place or submit a question in advance.

09/01/2026

EAST WEST RAIL DESIGN CONSULTATION SESSIONS FOR BEDFORD

East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has announced a further series of community consultation events giving residents a further chance to learn about the latest designs for the EWR proposals through Bedford.

Major changes are proposed for both Bedford stations including:

for Bedford Midland, a proposed new platform for fast London-bound services, a new entrance from Queens Park and new multi-storey car park next to Ford End Road bridge (on the site of the former engine shed)

and at Bedford St Johns a new multi storey car park serving both the relocated station and the hospital.

The events confirmed so far are:

>Thursday 12 February 3pm-8pm - Cauldwell Community Centre, Althorpe Street, Bedford MK42 9HF

>Saturday 14 February - Bedford (venue & timings TBC )

Other events will take place at Bletchley, Bicester and Cambridge.

At a recent residents meeting in Bedford (pictured) there were concerns raised by residents that more contact was needed between EWR Co and those affected by the East-West Railway proposals between Oxford and Cambridge.

David Hughes, CEO, East West Railway Company, said:
“We are looking forward to seeing and chatting to as many people as possible about how our designs have evolved. At the end of last year, we announced more than 80 changes that had been made as a direct result of feedback previously received, so we’re looking forward to being able to discuss these at the upcoming events.

“We are committed to working closely with local communities and listening to their views, and these events provide the opportunity for local people to find out more about the plans we published last year.”

Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership Thameslink East Midlands Railway We Are Bedford Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association London Northwestern Railway

19/12/2025

Interesting news to those with an interest in local railways from Bedford Radio as they continue their 'Historic Bedford' series - this time looking at how the railway came to Bedford back in the 1840s around the period of 'Railway Mania'...

>>Acclaimed local history programme returns to mark
Railway 200 celebrations

03/12/2025

An update of some changes for the two Bedford Stations proposed by East West Rail Company following last year's consultation.

Looks like a major rebuild for Bedford Midland station now with the provision of an extra 'Up Fast' platform (ie London-bound expresses), which we have been asking for for ages, now being included.

Hopefully, this means that more 'fast' services will be able to call at Bedford if this goes ahead...

Community Rail Network

IMPORTANT LINKS👇Website: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/east-west-railway-company/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com...

27/11/2025

Just a few tickets left for the award-winning Railway 200: The Show at the fantastic The Place Theatre in Bedford on Sunday!

This is award-winning show from Gare Du Nord Theatre Group supported by Avanti West Coastt takes a comical, educational and entertaining look back at our railways from the past 200 years.

Suitable for all ages. Tickets £6 adults, £4 Senior Citizens & children.

Along the way we meet famous historic people, relive event milestones and learn the ups and downs from the past two centuries of our railway’s history. Complete with original new music, this show takes you back to the golden age of rail. Come and find out how it all started, what the Bronte’s had to do with trains and what was the British Rail Flying Saucer all about?

This is the one and only time the show will be performed in Bedford. Don’t miss out!

Check out https://www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk/railway-200-show for details.


Railway200
Jumbley’s hut Thameslink

15/11/2025

HERE'S AN IDEA FOR A TRIP OUT BY TRAIN FROM BEDFORD - RIDGMONT STATION HERITAGE CENTRE and TEA ROOM

TRAIN SERVICE - MARSTON VALE LINE

There's a (nominally) hourly train service from Bedford to Bletchley from Platform 1A Monday to Saturday (currently no Sunday train service).

An adult return to Ridgmont from Bedford is just £6.40 - half price after 10am if you have a Bedfordshire Bus Pass! (this discounted ticket only available from the station ticket office or on the train - not from ticket machines)

RIDGMONT STATION HERITAGE CENTRE

The multi-award winning Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre and Tea Rooms is open from Thursday to Saturday 10am - 4pm

TEA ROOMS

NOTE: Festive Afternoon Tea is now on offer from 13th November until 20th December.
Please call 01525 287120 to book or visit https://ridgmontheritage.org.uk to request a table online.

STATION HERITAGE CENTRE GIFT SHOP and MUSEUM

NOTE: The Gift Shop and Museum are staffed by volunteers - the museum is open when volunteers are available

Calendars, diaries and a wide range of gifts are available in the Gift Shop including books for all ages including the new ‘Stewartby Remembered’ book by local author Joy Cooper.

This a heartfelt record of life in Stewartby, shaped for decades by the London Brick Company. This fascinating book draws on personal memories, historical records and conversations with residents to capture the everyday life, places and people that made Stewartby what it was.

'Stewartby Remembered' is a perfect way to preserve the story of the brickworks and the generations who built their lives around it. Just £14.99 - a perfect Christmas gift for anyone who loves local history!

Other gifts include James Green Railway Artist framed paintings, jigsaws, coasters & mugs, Tabitha Mary items (prints, Stewartby brickworks coasters & fridge magnets) and Warden Abbey Vineyard wine.

Railway Children Christmas cards, handmade Christmas cards & gifts tags and cash gift wallets are also available.

Christmas decorations on sale from 20th November.

Guided tours provided of the Museum by the Friends if Ridgmont Station where there are new Railway 200 displays. Free entry!


RIDGMONT STATION HERITAGE CENTRE FEATURES IN 'RAIL' MAGAZINE!!

We are delighted to share that Ridgmont Station Heritage Centre is featured in the latest issue published on 12th November!

The article highlights its journey from a derelict Station House to a vibrant Heritage Centre; a real community hub with a Museum, Tea Room, Gift Shop and Wellbeing Garden and much more!

From heritage exhibitions to green wellbeing projects like Rails to Roots, we’re proud to show how Community Rail can make a real difference.

Marston Vale CRP Officer Stephen Sleight was quoted as saying: "Huge thanks to our amazing volunteers from the Friends of Ridgmont Station and Rails to Roots Group, we couldn't have done it without you!"

Pick up your copy of RAIL Magazine from all good newsagents.
Visit https://www.railmagazine.com to subscribe.

04/11/2025

Delighted to announce Railway 200: The Show is coming to the fantastic The Place Theatre in Bedford this month!

This is a brand-new show from Gare Du Nord Theatre Group supported by Avanti West Coast takes a comical, educational and entertaining look back at our railways from the past 200 years. Suitable for all ages.

Along the way we meet famous historic people, relive event milestones and learn the ups and downs from the past two centuries of our railway’s history. Complete with original new music, this show takes you back to the golden age of rail. Come and find out how it all started, what the Bronte’s had to do with trains and what was the British Rail Flying S
aucer all about?

This special performance is being held on Sunday 30th November at the Place Theatre, Bradgate Road, Bedford, MK40 3DE – 2:30pm.
Tickets £6 adults, £4 Senior Citizens & children
Check out https://www.marstonvalecommunityrail.org.uk/railway-200-show for details.

Tickets selling fast – don’t miss out!


Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership
Thameslink
East Midlands Railway
Community Rail Network North Bedfordshire Campaign For Real Ale (North Beds Camra)
Jumbley’s hut Kerbside coffee
Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership

19/08/2025

Hop on the train into Bedford tomorrow for the Museum of London Archaeology fantastic archaeology pop-up event!

It’s all happening at Queens Park Community Centre, Marlborough Road, Bedford, MK40 4LF from 11:00 – 6:00.

The Community Centre is a short walk from Bedford station or there are regular services from Bedford Bus Station to Queens Park (number 8)

See real artefacts from ancient times in the local area
Try your hand at basket weaving
Walk inside a Virtual Reality Iron Age roundhouse
Hear first-hand from archaeologists about their latest discoveries

No need to book – just turn up!

Check out https://eastwestrail.co.uk/news/latest-stories/pop-up-archaeology-museums-will-bring-the-past-to-life-for-families

05/08/2025

Exciting project taking shape in the Waiting Room at Bedford station - we understand this 'Community Arts Space' will be available for local community groups to place artworks and other displays

Yesterday we hinted at a number of projects we're currently working on in the background - here's a sneak preview of a new Community Art Space under construction in the waiting room at Bedford Station...

Watch this (Art) space for more!!!

Friends of Bedford Railway Station Marston Vale Community Rail Partnership We Are Bedford Mohammad Yasin MP for Bedford and Kempston Bedford Independent Thameslink