Bedford square closes for improvement works
St Paul's Square is shut from today (23rd July)
There may be difficulty accessing homes, businesses and services in part of Bedford from today as the town's St Paul's Square is closed for more than a month.
The 37 day restriction's being brought in to allow improvement works funded by the £22.6m Bedford Town Deal.
Drainage works and resurfacing will be the focus of the works which will are planned to last until the 29th of August, with diversions in place and council and emergency services having made plans to get around the closure.
Samantha Laycock, Chair of the Bedford Town Deal Board, said, "This project is a key part of our vision to transform Bedford town centre into a more attractive, accessible, and people-focused place.
"The improvements to St Paul’s Square will not only enhance the look and feel of this historic space but also support local businesses and encourage more people to spend time in the town.
"We’re pleased to see the investment from the Town Deal being put into action and thank everyone for their patience while these important works take place.”
Councillor Andrea Spice, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Planning and Prosperity, said, "We’re working to create a more welcoming and sustainable town centre.
"While this phase of the project involves some short-term disruption, we’re doing everything we can to minimise the impact and make sure people are kept informed throughout the works."
For road traffic, during the closure diversion routes will be in place, as follows:
Traffic approaching from the High Street will divert via St Mary’s Street → St John’s Street → Kingsway → Cauldwell Street → Prebend Street
Traffic approaching from Cauldwell Street will divert either via Prebend Street (as above) or St Mary’s Street → The Embankment → Newnham Street → St Cuthberts Street → St Peter’s Street → Dame Alice Street → Bromham Road
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