This project seeks to reduce congestion and enable greater business productivity in the town by improving town centre traffic movement.

The purpose of this scheme is to improve journey time reliability and inform traveller choices on the key corridor in and out of Bedford, between the A6/A421on the edge of town through Active Travel Management.

Funding Stream: Local Growth Fund (LGF)
LGF awarded: £15.5m
Total project costs: £18.6 m
Delivery Partner: Bedford Borough Council
Project outputs: 10% increase in town centre footfall compared to 2019 data, eight junctions with physical capacity improvements and 3.9km of road improved by 2021
Project status: Expected completion December 2021

Website: https://www.bedford.gov.uk/transport_and_streets/highways/transporting_bedford_2020.aspx 

SEMLEP agreed to Bedford Borough Council’s request to merge the Bedford Town Regeneration Scheme and the Bedford Southern Gateway Project. originally submitted to SEMLEP's Board for Local Growth Fund investment.  The total value of the Bedford 2020 scheme is now £18.4M with an LGF contribution of £15.5M.

The Board approved the funding, following submission of the business case and independent appraisal in July 2018.  

Download the SEMLEP Board paper for Bedford 2020

Download the Fore Appraisal report

Download the project's Value for Money statement 

Download the full project business case

March 2021: Bedford High Street works update