Big road project hits businesses

It's nose-to-tail in the one-way queues

Drivers and traders in Bedford are facing four months of delay and upheaval with a major road improvement project.

The work, which is costing £2.5m, is causing severe disruption in the town centre.

The B531 Kempston Road is so worn it is effectively being rebuilt and the scale of the work is borne out by the congestion on the mile-long stretch.

The road, one of the major routes into Bedford, has been made temporarily one way and the traffic queues are having an effect on business.

"In an urban area like this householders and people living and working adjacent to the scheme are very concerned about the noise, the vibration and the dust," said Stephen Potter, of Bedfordshire County council, who is in charge of the project.

It has actually been going on for three weeks now and our passing trade has dropped by 40% Butcher Clive Ashpole

"So here the decision is that we work just during normal working hours and we don't impact on the residents outside those hours."

That consideration does not appease traders who are angry there is no compensation for their loss of trade.

Some are threatening to withhold business rates.

"It has actually been going on for three weeks now and our passing trade has dropped by 40%," said butcher Clive Ashpole.

"I am trying to get round it by a doing a delivery service to help people as best I can but with the congestion there is a limit to what you can do."