The planned installation of a new footbridge at Manton Lane, which was delayed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 at a sub-contractor’s facility, is taking place this weekend.

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 18:00 on Friday 22 January and 06:00 on Monday 25 January. 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 9.00 to 18.30 on the Saturday and 10.00 to 17.30 on the Sunday.

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.

Conservative Deputy Leader, Cllr Roger Rigby commented: “We welcome this long overdue replacement of the bridge and the subsequent benefits such as reduced traffic delays and the better protected crossing of Manton Lane for everyone including Bedford Modern School pupils.”