Universal United Kingdom Resort Construction Update: Huge Core Zone Changes – 25 July 2026
This week’s biggest changes
- Major soil stripping across the Core Zone
- Vegetation removed for the watercourse diversion
- New construction entrance line marked on Manor Road
- Transport Hub compound has doubled in size
- Clearance underway beside the A421
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Watch the complete aerial tour of the Core Zone, Lake Zone and Transport Hub, including the huge expansion of the earthworks recorded on 25 July 2026.
Core Zone
Work is now spread across the enormous area between Manor Road and Broadmead Road. These photographs show the latest activity near Coronation Pit and the Broadmead Road side of the Core Zone.
Trees are also being felled along the eastern side of the Core Zone. This clearance is required for the planned diversion of the existing watercourse around the edge of the future theme park development.
The scale of change over the past few weeks has been remarkable. Extensive soil stripping is now visible beside the archaeological excavation, revealing just how much of the Core Zone is being prepared for the next stage of construction.
Lake Zone
A new construction entrance has been created from Manor Road, although further work appears to be required before it can come into full use. Manor Road will close to through traffic from 27 July until 5 October 2026.
In the Lake Zone, soil stripping has reached the edges of the archaeological excavation areas. Two distinct sections have been left untouched. One appears to follow the route of the infilled Elstow Brook, while the other may contain the remains of a former bridge and field drain.
Manor Road closure
Manor Road will close to through traffic 24 hours a day from 27 July until 5 October 2026.
Universal says the closure is required for ongoing site stabilisation and enabling works. The road separates the Core Zone from the Lake Zone and is expected to play an important role in the movement of soil across the development site. Read Universal’s official Manor Road closure notice.
Transport Hub
The Transport Hub construction compound has grown considerably this week, with the number of welfare and office units appearing to have doubled.
Alongside the A421, extensive vegetation clearance is also underway in preparation for the future road connection into Universal United Kingdom Resort.
Soil movements
A steady flow of lorries continues to remove material from the site. The soil is being taken to the closed Elstow Quarry, where it is being used as part of the quarry’s remediation.
Explore our complete Universal United Kingdom Resort construction guide, including the latest project status, site-zone guide, timeline and official documents.
Discover how the former Kempston Hardwick brickworks became the site of Universal United Kingdom Resort.
What happens next?
The closure of Manor Road is expected to allow construction traffic and earthmoving equipment to operate more freely between the Core and Lake zones. Further work is also likely around the new Manor Road entrance, while vegetation clearance should continue along the route of the proposed watercourse diversion.
Archaeological investigations will continue alongside the earthworks, allowing the development areas to be progressively released for later construction.
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