Bedford Borough Council has been left “shocked and disgusted” after being told East West Rail is proposing to demolish a further 10 properties in Ashburnham Road – including multiple flats and long-established local businesses.
The East West Main Line Partnership, which is creating the route from Oxford to Cambridge, met with Council officers on Tuesday to outline their demands.
But Bedford Borough Council has vowed to fight the plans to demolish 2-20 Ashburnham Road.
Councillor Nicola Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment said; “This is absolutely abhorrent. It’s even worse than it being 10 homes – those 10 properties include Dom Polski Club which has been open for more than 60 years, a GP surgery, Council-owned temporary accommodation, and multiple flats.
“I am shocked and disgusted. East West Rail don’t seem to realise or perhaps simply don’t care about the impact on people’s lives, businesses, and this entire community.
“There has been no sign of foresight, no transparency. We still don’t know how they’ve reached the conclusion that this is necessary. Perhaps they just want to railroad us – well, it won’t work.”
Bedford Borough Council is waiting for further information on the plans, with Mayor Tom Wootton pledging to keep residents informed.
Councillor Gribble added; “East West Rail indicated at the meeting that if it cannot demolish these homes it could extend the project by a further two to three years.
“Bedford Borough Council is not prepared to pay the price for their shortcomings, nor will we let our residents do so, and we will offer those residents our full support.”