Bedford Borough Council is pleased to announce the imminent completion of major highway works on Paula Radcliffe Way, with the road expected to be fully reopened to traffic on Friday, 15 December 2023.
The extensive project, which involved crucial repairs to the road surface, drainage system, road barriers, and bridges along Paula Radcliffe Way, has been undertaken to enhance the safety and functionality of this key transportation route.
Unfortunately, the completion of the works faced a brief delay following further testing and inspections that lead to the entire crash barrier system needing to be replaced rather than repaired, as was previously hoped. The Council would like to express its apologies for any inconvenience caused by this delay and would like to assure the community that every effort has been made to expedite the completion of the project.
Jim Weir, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Highways, and Transport at Bedford Borough Council, commented on the successful conclusion of the highway works, stating, "The completion of these essential works marks a significant milestone for our community. We understand that the construction period has caused inconvenience for many, and we sincerely appreciate the patience and cooperation of residents, businesses, and road users throughout this process."
The Council acknowledges the understanding and resilience of the community during the construction period and wishes to extend its gratitude to all those who were affected by the necessary road closures and diversions. As with all projects of this size, the Council will be reviewing the entire project to identify any learning opportunities for future works.
The completion of the Paula Radcliffe Way project reflects Bedford Borough Council's commitment to maintaining and improving the infrastructure that supports the local community.
The full Bedford Borough Council 2023-24 capital maintenance programme can be found on the Bedford Borough Council website: www.bedford.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/roads-and-pavements/highway-network-management/. The list of carriageway resurfacing sites is compiled using a scoring matrix based on a number of measurable criteria, to ensure that the roads in the worst condition are prioritised. Each road in the Bedford Borough road network is assessed and scored on an annual basis.