Railway bridge repairs to close key road near Bedford for more than …

Repairs to a railway bridge between Bedford and Ampthill have closed the bridge and a section of the B530 Ampthill Road to traffic, with the closures set to remain in place until mid-July.

The railway bridge at Kempston Hardwick closed to traffic at 6am on Monday, May 8 and will remain closed between 6am and 5pm daily until Friday, July 14. The closure is in connection with a £1.5 million programme to strengthen the bridge, which carries the Midland Main Line over the B530 Ampthill Road in Kempston Hardwick to improve the reliability of train services for passengers.

During the work, Network Rail engineers will repair and strengthen the bridge's steel girders and bridge deck, and improve the drainage and guttering on the structure. The work to reinforce the bridge will ensure that rail journeys will be more reliable and on time, and less maintenance on the bridge will be required over the coming years.

Whilst the bridge is closed to traffic, a signed diversion will be in place via the A6 Wixams Bypass, Wilstead Bypass, Ampthill to Mauden Bypass, and Hazelwood Lane. Drivers should check their route before setting off.

References

1. ^{^} Three Central Bedfordshire recycling centres set to briefly shut to the public - here's when (www.bedfordshirelive.co.uk)