Adam Zerny, the Independent leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, said it would bring “significant benefits to our area, creating new jobs and increasing income for many local businesses”.
Universal said it was “poised to become one of the region’s largest employers, creating 20,000 construction jobs and 8,000 permanent positions once operational, with approximately 80% of all jobs going to local workers”.
“The project will help deliver key transportation upgrades, including an expanded Wixams railway station and new direct slip roads from the A421.”
Work to build a new railway station at Wixams started in August 2024, but it was put on hold to allow a bigger station to be built to accommodate Universal.
Last month, East West Rail Company (EWR Co) said a new railway station would be built to serve the park in Stewartby.
National Highways confirmed there would be upgrades to the transport network in the area, which would include a new link road off the A421.
Zerny said: “I have met with Universal to discuss the implications for our area, and I am encouraged by the acknowledgement that improvements to local road infrastructure will be necessary.”