Bond and Paddington could star at Universal park

A source close to the Universal UK project has told the BBC what fans can expect from the new park being built in Bedford.

James Bond, Paddington and Lord of the Rings are among the brands set to appear at the park, the BBC has learned.

Rides and attractions related to Harry Potter are not expected to be included.

On its website, Universal Destinations has claimed "it is too early" to know what attractions will be at the park.

Construction on the site at Kempston Hardwick, Bedfordshire, is expected to start next year if planning permission is granted.

While the source is confident that these concepts are happening, the theme park is not expected to open until 2031, which means some plans could change.

Universal aims to provide distinct attractions at each of its parks, with the Bedfordshire one set to feature unique attractions not found elsewhere.

The BBC has been told that other themed zones and rides at the park will be inspired by Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Minions.

The source insisted "contracts have been signed" and it would be unlikely things would change.

"At this point it will be little details they tweak, like 'Let's use a different shade of paint on that Lord of the Rings castle'," they said.

The locations can be seen on the map of what the site could look like, although specific details, such as the Hill Valley clock from Back to the Future, have been obscured.

Rides have already been designed, with the majority planned as indoor attractions.

Rollercoasters based on Back to the Future, Jurassic Park and Minions are among the few rides that will not be under cover.

There will be a stunt show based on 007, similar to the The Bourne Stuntacular in Florida.

"If you look at Epic Universe, the newest park they're opening in Florida, a lot of those rides are indoors, too," the source said.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast the theme park would be an opportunity to show off "great British creations to the world".

"These are things like James Bond, Paddington Bear, these are things like Harry Potter. We've got so much to be proud of," she said.

Notably, a Harry Potter-themed area will not be part of the park, as it is situated just a 40-minute drive from the Warner Bros Studio Tour in Leavesden, Hertfordshire.

Attractions based on JK Rowling's characters and settings are a popular feature of other Universal resorts.

The source told the BBC that "watertight exclusivity contracts" made it difficult to include Hogwarts in the plans, although it could be reconsidered alongside other brands such as Nintendo or Wicked if the park were to expand in the future.

"Warner Bros has the UK rights to Harry Potter attractions. They tried to find a way round it but couldn't. That could change in years to come, though," the source said.

Warner Bros Studio Tour has been invited to comment.

Universal Destinations and Experiences is expecting 8.5 million visitors a year at the park.

Transport links close to the site will require significant improvements to accommodate the new arrivals, which the government says it is committed to.

Universal previously described the site as "an ideal location with convenient, fast rail links to London and London Luton Airport".

The borough's mayor, Tom Wootton, a Conservative, said: "Bedford is the perfect place for this investment – well-connected, full of talent and ready to grow.

"We're proud to be chosen as the home of Universal in the UK. I'm delighted that our residents and communities will benefit in the years and decades ahead."

Luton Airport is hoping to double annual passenger numbers to 32 million by 2043, after Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander recently approved its expansion plans.

Visitors to the park who land at the airport could catch a train at Luton Airport Parkway on the Midland Main Line line to Wixams, which will be Universal's nearest station.

That is expected to open next year with two platforms, but Universal said it would upgrade the station, potentially with extra platforms, to meet visitor demand.

The East West Rail line is currently being built to link Oxford and Cambridge. Although it is not expected to be fully operational until the 2030s, Universal has said there would be a new railway station near the park.

A car park is in the conceptual art of the park. Drivers would access it via the A421, which was closed last year after it was flooded during heavy rain.

Universal plans to install new slip roads on the A421 to meet increased demand.

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