Conservative Councillors in Bedford Borough have called on the Mayor urgently to consider plans for the Batts Ford Bridge.  The Bridge, which was first suggested decades ago, would connect the Kingsway road adjacent to Borough Hall and Bedford College with River Street on the north side of the river.

The Council’s Conservative Group feels that it is now time to explore the potential benefits of the Batts Ford Bridge and make the case for Government funding to allow improvements to Bedford’s transport network. 

Councillor Roger Rigby said:

‘The Batts Ford Bridge idea is an old one whose time has now come due to the construction of the final phase of the Bedford Western Bypass and the opportunities offered by the demolition of the old Town Hall and the redevelopment of the bus station area.

‘Delivering Batts Ford Bridge offers the first opportunity in more than 50 years to redesign Bedford town centre’s road network which is creaking under the strain of modern traffic. 

‘As well as easing congestion, we have the opportunity potentially to pedestrianise vital areas and unlock the potential of the Riverside development which will offer new restaurants, a hotel and a cinema.   

‘Currently the High Street is a barrier running through the heart of Bedford.   This scheme would enable us to revive the High Street and St Paul’s Square and make it an important retailing hub once again. 

‘We urge the Mayor to release money to deliver the strategy and develop a new business case.’