8-week demolition of Queen's Bridge in Bedford begins
Demolition of Bedford’s Queen’s Bridge will begin this week after engineers declared the timber footbridge unsafe following a structural inspection last summer.
Bedford Borough Council has warned residents the bridge linking Queen’s Park and Kempston will be dismantled over an eight-week programme starting on Monday, March 16.
The council wrote to residents and businesses earlier this month confirming the works and warning of temporary access restrictions around the site.
A letter dated March 4 said: “An inspection of the footbridge in August 2025 uncovered significant defects and it was closed to the public. Based on the condition of the bridge and concerns regarding public safety the council have decided to demolish the bridge.”
The demolition contractor will access the site via the lane from Ford End Road, with vehicle movements including deliveries of materials, machinery and a large crane to remove the structure.
During the works, the lane from Ford End Road to the bridge will be closed until May 15.
Riverside footpaths approaching the bridge will also close between April 13 and May 8 while demolition takes place.
A signed diversion route will be put in place for pedestrians and cyclists while the bridge is dismantled.
Bedford borough’s Conservative mayor, Tom Wootton, said removing the bridge would allow the council to move forward with plans for a replacement crossing.
“Safety must always come first, and once the scale of the problems with Queen’s footbridge became clear, it was obvious we could not leave it in place – residents expect infrastructure that is safe and reliable,” he said.
“The removal of the old Queen’s footbridge clears the way for a brand new bridge for residents.”
“We are pushing this project ahead at pace, working with ward councillors and other stakeholders to move the replacement forward as quickly as possible.”