Media centre

Monday 25 Jul 2022

Work to bolster a Bedfordshire bridge gets underway

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

Today (Monday 25 July), essential work to upgrade a bridge in Oakley, Bedfordshire has begun, keeping it strong and reliable for drivers and passengers over future decades.

Highfield Road bridge, which carries road traffic over the Midland Main Line between Bedford and Wellingborough, will be reinforced over the coming months with new support for the historic foundations.

This will make sure that the bridge remains stable, secure and safe for both road and rail traffic well into the future. Teams will also use this time to inspect and repair any structural damage to reduce the need for future maintenance.

To do this safely, temporary scaffolding will be erected, and this section of Highfield Road will be partially closed to cars on weekdays from Monday 25 July until Friday 2 September*. The road will remain fully open in both directions during weekends and pedestrians will always be able to cross.

Gary Walsh, Route Director for East Midlands at Network Rail said: “Safety is our top priority and completing this essential upgrade in Oakley will mean that Highfield Road bridge remains safe and reliable for both drivers and rail passengers for many years to come.

“We’ve worked carefully with the local authorities to identify the least disruptive time to carry out the work, and we have chosen to do it during the school summer holidays to keep the impact on the community to a minimum. I do apologise in advance to those who are affected by this work.”

Some early morning and late night services will be retimed to keep workers safe, so passengers should check before they travel with National Rail Enquiries.

ENDS