Expect lane closures as traffic lights are upgraded at Bedford hotspot

A traffic lights upgrade will take place next week at the Kingsway and Cauldwell Street junction in Bedford - a well-known traffic hotspot.

The new equipment and software will improve the detection and control of traffic, along with new signal heads, re-wiring, and some pavement works at the crossing points.

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for transport, said: “These traffic light upgrades across Bedford will together have an impact on Bedford’s traffic and help to ease congestion.

“By installing traffic light junctions with the latest technology, they will operate more efficiently, reduce congestion, and improve journey times.

“There will be temporary traffic lights in place during these works at the Kingsway and Cauldwell Street junction, with occasional lane closures required to install traffic detection equipment.

“Thank you for your patience as we carry out these works, which will bring improvements to Bedford’s roads for the future.”

The work is part of Transporting Bedford - an £18million project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and £15.5million funding from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP), through the Local Growth Fund and represents the largest ever investment in Bedford’s roads.