Text Version

Bedford’s Western Bypass - the ‘Missing Link’

24th Jun 2009

The construction of the first phase of Bedford’s Western Bypass (the A421-A428) is progressing well however there remains no funding allocated to the final section (the A428-A6 Link Road) that is vital in bringing much needed benefits to Bedford.

We, the BDA, would like local businesses to show support for this vital missing link, in the form of a letter (template link below), to demonstrate to your local MP the need for the full completion of Bedford’s bypass.

There are seven key reasons why this link road is important to you and your business:

  • Congestion in and around Bedford causes significant delay which wastes business time and money.

  • Access to a wider base of customers and clients is restricted due to travel times.

  • Reliability of travel/delivery times is problematic for business.

  • “Travel to work” areas are limited impacting on recruitment and selection.

  • Environmental impact of congestion and high volumes of unnecessary traffic through Bedford town centre.

  • Business needs to have confidence that traffic conditions will improve in order to plan investment in the area.

  • A vital part of the borough’s transport infrastructure is the proposed park and ride north of the town which cannot be delivered until the last link of the bypass (A428 to A6) is completed

    • By 2021, there will be 16,000 new homes in Bedford. With heavy congestion clogging the town centre and surrounding A-roads at peak times we need to make sure that we plan a better future for Bedford that helps your business.

    Below is a link to a template letter addressed to your local MP which we hope you will use to demonstrate your support. Please cut and paste onto your business letterhead paper, adding any comments or strengthening the case as you see fit.

    We hope that your action will help us present a stronger case to Government.

    If you should add additional information to the letter to support the case we would appreciate you copying in this office.

    We are also requesting that businesses get their staff to sign a petition which can be downloaded and printed from the below link and please posted back to

    Patrick Lyons
    Bedford Borough Council
    Town Hall
    St. Paul's Square
    Bedford
    MK40 1SJ

    Thank you for your support.

    Click here for Template Letter

    Click here for Map Graphic

    Click here for Petition Sheet