Replacement riverside footbridge is welcome, but wait is far too long
The confirmation from Network Rail that it will replace the riverside path footbridge it removed over the railway line near Prebend Street in Bedford is welcome, especially in light of its initial intention to provide no alternative to the existing underpass, which is prone to flooding and has a notoriously low height clearance of 4 feet 9 inches. The previous footbridge was removed as part of the Bedford element of the important Thameslink Programme improvements to allow for 12-carriage trains, and Network Rail's original approach was to claim that the existing underpass was sufficient for path users and no replacement crossing was required. We objected and after a process of negotiation it accepted our argument that this would represent a loss of a public right of way, and responded with plans to create a new path and underpass with a greater height clearance. Following survey works, Network Rail has now confirmed that they will construct a replacement footbridge instead, with visually striking spiral ramps
