Works begin on Manton Lane footbridge

Works have begun to build a new footbridge over Manton Lane, which will make it easier for pedestrians to cross this busy road, improve road safety, and reduce congestion.

This new bridge is part of the Transporting Bedford works, which have already seen this stretch of Manton Lane widened with new traffic signals installed to help ease congestion and make the road safer.

Construction work on the foundations of the new bridge is starting in early August, with the bridge expected to be complete and open by the end of the year.

Preparation works to move utilities on Clapham Road are also happening this Autumn ahead of major works starting in the new year to help ease congestion in this area.

This will see part-time signals introduced on the Paula Radcliffe Way / Great Ouse Way roundabout to help traffic flow better during peak times, the Manton Lane / Clapham Road roundabout will be reconstructed with full-time traffic signals and pedestrian and cyclist crossings, and Clapham Road will be widened to help create more space for traffic. Further details on this project will follow later this year.

Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Transport said "There are a lot of works happening on junctions across our town as part of the Transporting Bedford project to ease congestion, improve road safety, and provide a boost to our local economy. The former bridge was demolished over a decade ago, and we have seen the impact that this has had on traffic in the area. Working with the Harpur Trust, works have begun to reinstate this footbridge, make our roads safer for all users, and help tackle congestion. This is just one element of a wider project around Manton Lane, Clapham Road, and up to the Great Ouse Way which will help traffic through this whole northern corridor into Bedford flow more smoothly."

Hilary Chipping, Chief Executive at SEMLEP added "Connectivity shapes our opportunity which is why we are proud to be supporting the Transporting Bedford project. This new bridge will enable greater pedestrian movement, making the town a better place to live, work and visit. We look forward to watching this project progress."

Transporting Bedford is 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.