Council completes essential road repairs in Central Bedfordshire during lockdown traffic lull

The council's highways teams have taken advantage of the quieter roads
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Central Bedfordshire Council has been revamping roads across the county while traffic levels are low during the coronavirus lockdown.

The council's highways teams have fixed more than 600 repairs since the start of the lockdown including potholes, streetlights and road signs as well as eight re-surfacing schemes.

Work has also been progressing well on the A421 Dualling Scheme, with over 80 per cent of the carriageway works now completed, and it is on track for completion before the winter.

RoadworksRoadworks
Roadworks

The Highways team have also been out and about with their Super-Vac machine, which allows them to clear out drains which would previously require a two man dig out, to clean and unblock nearly 2,000 gullies.

Work is still underway on a number of lining schemes and traffic calming measures.

The team maintain around the clock response for any highway’s emergency across the Central Bedfordshire 850-mile road network together with a large footpath network and public rights of way.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Member for Community Services, said: “Right now our highways teams are working hard to ensure that our key workers can get to work safely, and medicine, equipment and deliveries can get to where it is needed most.

“While roads are quieter, we’ve been prioritising essential repairs, such as potholes, lampposts and pavement defects, to ensure that the county’s roads remain safe and serviceable.

“There's been a huge amount achieved already, with much more to come, as we have been continuing to plan a programme for the full year ahead.”

Residents can report any issues on Central Bedfordshire roads on the councils website: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/reportit.