Expect travel disruption as repair work starts on B530 in Bedford

With work set to start on part of the B530 near Kempston Hardwick next week, motorists are being warned of travel disruption.

Initially, the road will have temporary traffic lights to allow vehicles through, but when the full rebuild starts in early October, the road will be fully closed. There will be a signed diversion in place via Kempston.

These works - which include replacement of sections of the road drainage system together with resurfacing of the road - are expected to be complete by early December.

In summer 2018, cracks appeared in the road between the Interchange Retail Park and Kempston Hardwick and the road began to sink.

A temporary speed limit was put in place as the road had become too dangerous for normal use and short-term works were carried out to ensure the road could continue to be safely used.

The most badly affected stretch of road near Kempston Hardwick will be completely dug out and rebuilt, and then the whole stretch of road between just south of the A421 bridge and Kempston Hardwick will be resurfaced.

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for highways, said: “Similarly to the A6 past Wilstead which we rebuilt recently, this stretch of road has come to the end of its life and is in critical need of replacing. However, as this is a much shorter stretch of road, we are expecting these works to take much less time and to be completed by early December.

“We are doing these works with a view to the future and ensuring that the structure of this road lasts for the long term, and carrying out resurfacing works.”