Category Archives: Photos

Bypass, Photos

Easter Monday on the bypass with ‘Katie’

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Walking the new western bypass from Biddenham to Bedford on a sunny Easter Monday afternoon with Storm Katie’s tailwinds behind us was a pleasure.

It was a bit tougher on the return journey with Katie’s winds trying to hold us back. And the errant BBQ wasn’t fired up so no chance of refreshments to help us on our way.

But not long now till a peaceful walk along that route will be disturbed by the traffic for which the bypass was designed.

Looking to the Sainsbury roundabout from the railway bridge
The railway bridge
Looking west from the railway bridge
Looking west toward the roundabout that will lead into the housing development
Not fired up so no sausages today!
There’s just something about an abandoned BBQ by a soon to be busy road – the road builders must have spent happy hours here
Further toward the roundabout which will lead into the housing development in due course
Looking toward Biddenham from the roundabout that will lead to the housing development
Closer to the roundabout near which are due to be playing fields
Looking from the playing field roundabout up towards Bromham Road

 

Bypass, Land north of Bromham Road, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 7 February 2016

update – 7 February 2016 

With the new bridge now straddling the Midland Mainline line north of Bedford station, the  completion of the Northern Bypass looks very much on schedule (date yet to be confirmed), but …

update – 11 February 2016
At the February Parish Council meeting, Jon Gambold reported that the opening of the bypass may be delayed due to potential major road works required on Tavistock Street that are expected to take six weeks. Concerns were raised that if the bypass is opened before the Tavistock St work is completed, substantial volumes of traffic will come via the bypass to Biddenham and then along Bromham Road to get to Bedford!
So the present plan is to delay opening the bypass until the work on Tavistock St. is completed, it is understood this work has not yet begun – watch this space!

 

Not many cars! – are you sure it’s open?
oops – not open yet!
Biddenham past, Photos

Biddenham Turn Estate

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Fear not – this isn’t a new proposal to create an estate off Biddenham Turn!

In the late 1950s a development was planned – the Biddenham Turn Estate – and subsequently constructed. We know it now as Darlow Drive and Elger Close.

An illustrated brochure was published and the cover and some pages are reproduced below. It’s fascinating to compare the aerial photographs with that part of the village as we see it today. And can you spot the steam train? A real blast from the past.

Biddenham Turn Estate

Bypass, Land north of Bromham Road, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 26th September, 2015

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26 September 2015: 

some photo’s of the bypass as it continues to stretch towards the new Clapham roundabout + a few shots of the old Biddenham GC – now very overgrown. A lovely evening,  sun and clouds combining well with the hot air balloons also taking a view of progress maybe …

towards the Brougham Road & old Golf course
back into the setting sun
Bypass, Land north of Bromham Road, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 27 July 2015

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27 July 2015: The focus of work on roundabouts has now switched particularly to the Clapham Road/Sainsbury’s roundabout and also to a roundabout that will give access in due course to development on the land north of Bromham Road. Work continues on the road itself.

The site offices have been removed from the land off Gold Lane, as work on the Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout is virtually complete, apart from final signage, planting and any other remaining tweaks.

We have heard nothing further yet about whither on the section of fence on the Bedford side of the roundabout that has been the source of much debate since its construction. One does fear we may grow old together!

Bypass, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 23 June 2015

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23 June 2015: Lots of new signs and bollards and work is nearing completion at the Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout. There is finishing and planting to be done, but the sore thumb is the large, stark section of fence, for noise abatement, near The Baulk, which is causing dismay and discontent in the village.

Our local councillors are in discussion with the Borough Council to try and identify a way of achieving the aims of the monstrous fence but in a way that sits more easily and aesthetically in the landscape.

 

Bypass, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 1 June 2015

1 June 2015: Today is the first day of the British summer, as you can tell from the sky. But great changes around the new Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout following the three weekend closures and subsequent work.

Bromham Church is peeping over the top of the fence erected on the Bromham side of the new section of road, and a taller fence is now being constructed on the Bedford side. New signs are going up, new lamp posts are in place, and fencing and barriers are in place around the entrances to the underpass. Work continues apace here and at the Sainsbury’s end of the new section of bypass where a very big new roundabout is taking shape.

Bypass, Photos, Roads

Bypass Update – 26 April 2015

26 April 2015: The first weekend closure at the Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout and much work done and much new tarmac now laid. Work progressed speedily and the roundabout reopened to traffic earlier than expected at around 4.30 pm today. The cycle underpass was also passable to pedestrians viewing the weekend’s work.

Views around the Bromham Road/Deep Spinney roundabout:

Views around the next new roundabout along the new section of bypass where work continues: