Network Rail, in partnership with Bedford Borough Council, has announced the start of preparatory work for the new Wixams station. These initial stages will involve establishing a site compound and undertaking enabling work.
A dedicated site compound will be set up off Meadow Road, Wixams, week commencing 27 August 2024. This compound will house temporary offices, welfare facilities for staff, parking, and storage areas. The enabling work will prepare the ground for future construction activities.
Councillor Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, “I’m thrilled to see preparatory work begin on the long-awaited Wixams train station. This project represents a major investment in our borough’s infrastructure, and it will significantly improve connectivity for residents.
“We understand that construction can cause disruption, and I want to assure everyone that Network Rail and Bedford Borough Council are committed to keeping noise and disturbance to a minimum. We will be providing regular updates throughout the project.”
Network Rail and their contractors understand the potential impact of railway work on residents and businesses near the site. They emphasise a commitment to minimising noise and disturbance by:
- Implementing a traffic management plan to streamline construction traffic flow.
- Scheduling deliveries and work outside peak morning and evening hours whenever possible.
- Transparency and open communication with the community
Regular updates will be provided to the community throughout the project. Residents can access further information through the following resources:
Information about the railway activity Network Rail website: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/living-by-the-railway/noise-and-vibration/ or Network Rail National Helpline: 03457 11 41 41
Information regarding the new Wixams station project Bedford Borough Council Project Page: www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/strategies-and-major-projects/wixams-station/wixams-station-overview
Work on the railway often needs to be carried out at night when trains are not running for the safety of all parties. Noise may be caused by the movement and operation of heavy machinery and other tasks. Network Rail and their contractors will take all possible measures to keep this noise to a minimum.
These works will occur overnight on the following dates in 2024:
September 28-30
October 26-31
November 1-2
November 4-11
December 7-9
The Wixams Station project represents a significant investment in Bedford's infrastructure and connectivity. Network Rail and Bedford Borough Council are committed to keeping residents informed and minimising disruption throughout the construction process.