Motorists and pedestrians rejoice – Midland Road will fully reopen to traffic on Wednesday, 11 June, six months after it was partially closed as part of the Town Deal regeneration project.
With newly widened pavements, a reduction in the width of the road and the addition of new lighting and street furniture, it’s the first part of the council’s vision for the future of Midland Road.
Since January, the road has been operating as one-way while the public realm improvement works took place, helping to enhance the major walking route from the station towards the town centre.
As the main gateway to the heart of the town, Midland Road’s glow-up was funded through the Bedford Town Deal – a £22.6m government investment to help revitalise the town centre.
The Town Deal is a partnership between the Government, Bedford Borough Council, and the Bedford Town Deal Board, working together to deliver a shared vision for the town’s future.
Samantha Laycock, Chair of the Bedford Town Deal Board, said: “These works aim to transform this key gateway into Bedford town centre, creating a safer, more attractive, and welcoming environment for pedestrians, visitors, and residents alike.
“We would like to thank the various specialist teams for completing these works in such a busy area. This is just the beginning of Midland Road’s transformation thanks to the successful bid and we can’t wait to see the end result.”
Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity at Bedford Borough Council, said: “Reopening Midland Road to two-way traffic is a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance Bedford’s town centre.
“These improvements will not only make the area safer and more accessible but also create a vibrant, welcoming space that residents and visitors can enjoy for years to come.
“We thank everyone for their patience during the works and look forward to unveiling the completed scheme in June.”
You can find out more about the Towns Fund and the Towns Fund projects, which include the Midland Road regeneration project, here.
Update: This article was updated on 2 June 2025 at 09:30am to amend the date after Bedford Borough Council confirmed it had been sent out in error.
