Too much emphasis and 'hope' is laid at the delivery of EWR, especially as the Secretary of State for Transport has called a halt to the expansion of the line from Bletchley onwards.
Additionally the railway is likely to take passengers away from Bedford to shop and work as there is little to attract them into Bedford. The town centre is dying with most major retailers having pulled out / shutdown, it is also a statement on the decline that even bookmakers and charity shops are closing their door in the town centre.
There needs to be less emphasis on EWR 'saving the world' and a properly constructed plan put in place for the town centre to attract retailers and businesses. Currently Bedfords' competition is Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, both of which are winning hands down and are developing at a faster rate