Works to Tackle Road Congestion Near Bedford Hospital Start This Weekend

Improvement works to reduce congestion on Britannia Road, a well-known traffic hotspot, will start this weekend as part of the Transporting Bedford project.

Britannia Road runs past Bedford Hospital South Wing, and links Ampthill Road and Kempston Road. These works will widen the road and create extra lanes, providing more space for traffic, and deliver major changes to the road layout to help the traffic flow better.

These include moving the existing traffic lights and crossing to the junction with King's Place, and upgrading all the lights along this road so they can 'communicate' and keep the road moving. There will also be changes to layout of the main Hospital car park and existing drop-off areas. This will all help to improve traffic flow down Britannia Road.

The works will begin this weekend and will be complete in early 2020.

During the works, Britannia Road will be open one way to traffic going from Ampthill Road to Kempston Road. There will be a clearly signed diversion route in place throughout the works, around Kingsway and St Mary's Street.

These works are not expected to have any operational impact on Bedford Hospital, and the Council is working closely with them to minimise the impact on patients and staff.

Commenting on the scheme in a recent column for the Bedford Independent, Mayor Dave Hodgson wrote: "The grant money we won for (Transporting Bedford) has to be spent by April 2021, and with numerous major works planned to get traffic moving, we have to crack on with them. The next works beginning under this programme are at Britannia Road, by the hospital.'

"To minimise disruption, we are not starting this work until the school summer holidays. During the works, Britannia Road itself will be closed northbound, but the work will bring clear benefits when completed in early 2020. The series of measures to cut queues include road widening, upgraded traffic lights, changes to the road layout and more.'

"We've also worked closely with the Hospital, which is making changes regarding the layout and entrances to its car parks intended to improve traffic flow in the area. It's an example of how we are working with others to maximise the benefits achieved through this project."

Cllr Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Highways, added: "We apologise for any inconvenience these works cause. This is a busy route into town, which is why we have found a way to keep it open while carrying out these crucial works. "

Transporting Bedford 2020 is an £18million project to tackle congestion hotspots in Bedford. You can find out more about the project at www.bedford.gov.uk/transportingbedford2020