Project value: £2.57m
Project theme: transport
Latest update: After various engagement stalls on Midland Road, our Major Projects Delivery Team has confirmed a start date of mid-August for the public realm improvements in that area. The contractor will close the northern side of Midland Road first, before moving on to the southern side; these works will be ongoing until early 2025. As well as repaving the road and pavements, our team is looking to upgrade street furniture and declutter the street. Our team is also working closely with building owners and occupiers to take forward a shopfront improvement scheme, where the Town Deal funds 80% of the cost to building enhancements for each shop taking part.
Midland Road is the main gateway route from Bedford Station to the town centre. It is currently in a poor physical condition, with unattractive buildings, narrow walkways and a poor carriageway layout creating a negative perception of the local environment.
The Midland Road Public Realm project involves the redevelopment of the Midland Road corridor from the station into the town centre. The project will create an attractive, vibrant corridor by improving the public realm and will enhance the walking route by reducing the carriageway width of Midland Road.
The reduction in the width of the road will still allow large vehicles to pass each other safely but also enable pavements to be widened along this route. Trees will be planted on the widened pavement to improve the urban environment, subject to any constraints from underground services and drainage. Street furniture and lighting will also be provided. Entrances to side roads will be narrowed whilst maintaining the level of the pavement across the junction to support priority for pedestrians.
View the Midland Road Public Realm project plan (PDF).