Dear editor,
Another Freedom of Information request was submitted to East-West Rail many months ago requesting the construction impact of EWR on Bedford Town.
It has revealed a six-year bombshell that is set to cripple Bedford if the current proposal for route E goes ahead including:
- Demolition and rebuilding of four key bridges into and out of town- Ampthill Road, Cauldwell Street, Ford End Road and Bromham Road. These works will require full road closures on a rolling basis over at least six years.
- Possession of Bedford Hospital’s car park will be taken for construction activities with no plans for an alternative solution to meet the needs of those using or working at the hospital. Hospital officials are already on record stating that the hospital cannot function without a car park.
- Use of Bedford’s roads for the transport of materials for construction from the A1 and M1 will add to the unbearable congestion and pollution resulting from road closures and the subsequent diversion route
- The demolition of homes in the Poet’s area as the six-track option is confirmed
- This is not taking into consideration the remodelling of the Paula Radcliffe Way at Clapham Road roundabout to facilitate the ongoing railway lines and the destruction of virgin countryside.
Please head to the Bfare website which will take you to the detailed released drawings and plans from May 2023.
This project has not been accurately costed nor does a credible business plan exist. Does Bedford want a vanity project imposed on us or do we all insist on a full, transparent re-evaluation of options by independent experts?
There are credible, workable options that do not involve the demolition of homes or the chaos that is going to follow if we are to have an East-West connection as currently planned.
Again, we need a sustainable solution that is fit for the future without damaging the present. Bedford deserves better.
Cllr Nicola Gribble
Independent, Renhold & Ravensden
Editor note: EWR has been invited to respond to this letter.
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