Bedford Borough’s Conservative Mayor, Tom Wootton, has welcomed the start of demolition work on the unsafe Queens Footbridge (linking Queens Park and Kempston) - an important step towards delivering a new and safe crossing for local residents.

The old bridge was closed after a detailed inspection in August 2025 found long standing serious structural defects. The problems were so significant that the Council had to decommission the bridge immediately on safety grounds.

With site conditions finally suitable, work can now begin to remove the old bridge and clear the way for a replacement that will be safe for residents as quickly as possible.

The demolition will take place over an eight-week programme starting from the 16th March 2026. Advance signage has already been put in place, and a signed diversion route will operate during the closure.

During the works:

• The lane from Ford End Road to the bridge will be closed until 15th May.
• Riverside footpaths approaching the bridge will also close between 13th April and 8th May while demolition takes place.

Mayor of Bedford Borough, Tom Wootton, said:

“Safety must always come first, and once the scale of the problems with Queens Footbridge became clear, it was obvious we could not leave it in place - residents expect infrastructure that is safe and reliable.

The removal of the old Queens Footbridge clears the way for a brand new bridge for residents.

We are pushing this project ahead at pace, working with ward councillors and other stakeholders to move the replacement forward as quickly as possible.”