Universal theme park could increase pressure on Bedfordshire fire service
The resort is expected to attract around 8.5 million visitors per year
Bedfordshire’s Chief Fire Officer has warned that Universal’s planned theme park could increase demand on the fire service, with additional firefighters and fire stations potentially needed.
Andrew Hopkinson said Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service was working with Universal and other emergency services to understand the risks posed by the development, which is expected to attract around eight-and-a-half million visitors a year.
Describing the project as a “fantastic opportunity” for the county, Mr Hopkinson said the scale of the development would bring more people, buildings and infrastructure to an area currently dominated by fields.
He said the impact would extend beyond the theme park itself, with increased traffic, new housing and businesses potentially creating further challenges for emergency services.
“We will see an increase in demand and we will see perhaps potentially a different range of incidents that we attend,” he said.
Extra resources may be needed
Mr Hopkinson said the service was likely to need additional staff and resources as Bedfordshire continues to grow, although the precise requirements would depend on its assessment of future risks.
He said: “We're likely to see a demand for additional resources, additional staff, and we're likely to need to change our footprint.”
The service is already replacing one of its fire stations in Luton and is considering the need for additional sites to ensure crews can respond to incidents in a timely manner.
Preparations will also need to account for the construction phase, when heavy vehicles and changes to the road network could present different risks from those expected once the resort is open.
Mr Hopkinson said the service was meeting regularly with partners to understand the potential impact and stressed that planning needed to begin well before the resort welcomed visitors.
“The best time to prepare for those future risks is well before they arrive, not after,” he said.
Public consultation launched
The service is consulting residents, businesses and other stakeholders on its draft Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2027 to 2032.
The plan considers how Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service should prevent emergencies, protect communities and respond to incidents over the next five years, taking into account population growth, major developments and climate change.
Mr Hopkinson said the service uses risk analysis, incident data and technology to determine where firefighters, vehicles and equipment are needed most.
The 12-week consultation closes at 11.59pm on Friday, January 15, 2027.
Residents, businesses and community groups can take part in the survey at https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/BedsFireCRMP/.