Works to improve Bedford High Street and provide more space for pedestrians and shoppers will be starting in February.
Bedford’s High Street has been one lane for a number of months now, with temporary barriers put in place to help people social distance during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, this new, permanent scheme will see a different road layout with wider pavements on both sides of the road. Starting in February with the improvements expected to be complete by the end of November 2021.
Works will be undertaken in stages so that the whole road will not be closed at once; the length of the road from St Peters to Mill Street to be closed from February until July, with this length then re-opening and the southern half of the street down to the Embankment will then close. Signed diversions will be in place.
As part of these works, permanent loading and short term parking bays will be installed to help shops along the High Street function and attract shoppers, wider pavements will be created using high quality York paving and granite kerbstones, and the 20mph speed limit will be enforced by average speed cameras.
This construction work is being carried out by Henderson & Taylor Ltd on behalf of Bedford Borough Council.
The current government policy is that many construction activities, including essential road maintenance repairs, are essential activities and that they should be allowed to continue where they can be undertaken in accordance with Public Health England and industry guidance.
Access for emergency vehicles will be maintained at all times. We will also work with our refuse collection teams to ensure that your bins are collected on the scheduled day of collection and that street cleansing is carried out as normal.
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