Bedford Borough Council is having to pursue formal legal avenues under the Land Drainage Act in response to ongoing flooding issues under the railway bridge on Lovell Road in Clapham. This prolonged concern has been attributed to the failure of the drainage network situated on Network Rail's land adjacent to the railway bridge.
Despite numerous appeals and repeated requests made by the Bedford Borough Council for Network Rail to address the infrastructure, or to allow Council engineers access to fix the issue, a resolution has not been achieved. The persisting problem poses safety risks for both pedestrians and motorists when the road becomes flooded, particularly during periods of heavy rain.
Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, expressed concern over the prolonged inaction, stating, "The flooding issue under the railway bridge on Lovell Road has been a matter of serious concern for our community for several months, if not years. The failure of the drainage network on Network Rail's land poses a direct threat to the safety of pedestrians, especially children accessing schools in Oakley from Clapham, and motorists who use this route."
Acknowledging the urgency of the situation, Bedford Borough Council is taking immediate steps to address the safety concerns of residents. This is the only safe walking route to the schools in Oakley and so a temporary footway is under development beneath the bridge to facilitate safe pedestrian passage during the ongoing legal proceedings, this will be completed as early as possible in the new year.
The Council advises motorists to avoid this route during periods of heavy rainfall due to the potential risk of vehicles becoming flooded or splashing those on foot. The recommended alternative route for motorists to avoid the bridge during times of flooding is Milton Road – Highfield Road – Station Road, and vice versa.
The legal action being pursued by the Bedford Borough Council is a necessary step to enforce the resolution of this critical matter and ensure the safety and well-being of the community. The Council remains committed to finding a swift and effective solution in collaboration with Network Rail.