Universal United Kingdom Resort Construction – July 2026
Universal United Kingdom Resort July 2026 at a glance
- 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
Last updated: 30 July 2026
July 2026 timeline
- Early July: East Gateway and watercourse clearance expands
- Mid-July: Major Core Zone soil stripping begins
- 25 July: Dramatic expansion of earthworks recorded
- 27 July: Manor Road closes for ten weeks
- Late July: Aggregate laid at the new Manor Road entrance and test drilling begins
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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 soil stripping near Coronation Pit and the Broadmead Road side of the Core Zone.
Trees started 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.
An area covering nearly 12 acres along the eastern side of the Core Zone has been rapidly cleared of trees.
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.
By the end of July, aggregate had been laid from the new Manor Road entrance towards the logistics hub on the former brickworks concrete slab.
Late in July, test drilling began on the former site of South View beside Manor Road. The property was demolished by Network Rail in 2022. The investigation work may be connected with the design of the proposed replacement bridge at the level crossing.
Manor Road closure
Manor Road closed to through traffic 24 hours a day on 27 July, for 10 weeks, until 5 October 2026.
Universal says the closure is required for ongoing site stabilisation and enabling works. This section of Manor 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 month, 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.
Post markers have appeared throughout the site, likely marking the route for the power lines to be buried.
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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