Road closure as major works planned in Bedford this weekend

Motorists are being advised of a road closure in Bedford this weekend as the installation of a new footbridge at Manton Lane is scheduled to take place from Friday.

The planned installation was delayed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 at a sub-contractor’s facility.

There have been works ongoing at Manton Lane, with the road widened and traffic signals installed which will make the road safer, and help ease traffic at this well-known traffic hotspot.

The footbridge installation will take place between 6pm on Friday, January 22, and 6am on Monday, January 25.

The road will be closed throughout these works and a signed diversion will be in place via Brickhill Drive, Kimbolton Road, Tavistock Street and Clapham Road.

Once installed the bridge will undergo a final safety inspection before being opened to the public.

Due to the disruption this closure will cause to local bus services, with three stops unable to be served by the number 6 bus, the council will be providing a free hourly return shuttle bus service between the Manton Lane junction with Turner Way and the Bus Station (Bay L). This will run from 9am to 6.30pm on the Saturday and 10am to 5.30pm on the Sunday.

Cllr Charles Royden, portfolio holder for Highways said: “We are reminding people that this road will be closed for this bridge installation to take place this weekend.

"Once installed and opened, this footbridge will make it easier for pedestrians to cross this busy road, improve road safety and ease congestion in this area.

"Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we carry out this installation.”

This project is part of Transporting Bedford, an £18million project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford, funded by both Bedford Borough Council and £15.5M 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.