CBC’s contractor Octavius began work on the A6/Clophill Roundabout Improvement Scheme in February 2023. Below is CBC’s May 25 update on the latest progress.
Works completed
We have continued to make good progress with the A6 north arm works:
- We have completed drainage and utility ducting across and north of Clophill Road, together with new kerblines and widened footways
- By reusing the existing drainage north of Clophill Road and realigning the new footway away from the A6, we have significantly reduced the requirement for traffic management and temporary traffic lights to complete these works
- Over the last bank holiday weekend, we removed traffic islands (north, east and south arms), put in new traffic signal ducting across the A6 and did surfacing works. The aim was to reduce disruption from upcoming works knowing traffic may increase due to Network Rail’s Kemspton Hardwick closure, which will divert traffic along the A6 until mid-July.
Works in progress
- Kerbing works around the High Street and The Green started on Monday 22 May
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Utility works and footway widening will continue on the A6 North (south approaching The Green). These works, together with the reconstruction of The Green junction, will then progress towards the roundabout and A507 east arm
- We will install a new bus shelter at the new bus lay-by in early June
- The new A6 bus stop should be in use from 19 June
- We will complete and commission a new toucan crossing in mid-June to provide a signalised crossing point between the High Street and Clophill Road
Phases of work
Below is the phasing of the works. We are underway with the first and second phases.
Phase 1 – North Arm (A6 Bedford Road)
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Widening and improvement works
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Road closures for resurfacing and lining
Phase 2 – Clophill High Street/The Green
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Road closures for resurfacing
Phase 3 – East Arm (A507 towards Shefford)
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Widening and improvement works
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Road closures for resurfacing and lining
Phase 4 – South Arm (A6 Bedford Road)
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Widening and improvement works
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Road closures for resurfacing and lining
Phase 5 – West Arm (A507 towards Ampthill)
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Widening and improvement works
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Closures – reconstruction and resurfacing
Phase 6 – Roundabout works
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Managed improvements and resurfacing
Phase 7 – Commissioning and landscaping
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Finishing work and toucan crossings
Forthcoming traffic management
We have now completed the road closure on Clophill Road. However, later in the programme, a shorter closure will be needed to construct the new raised table and surface the road (omitted for now as this forms the site compound access).
Below are works requiring traffic management in the coming weeks:
Week commencing Monday 22 May – parking suspended around parts of The Green and the A6/The Green junction
- Carriageway narrowing along the A6 and closure of the A6/The Green junction each day (off-peak hours 0900 to 1630).
- We will continue the north east footway works (where we stopped previously) and do utility, drainage and footway works, plus the kerb works around The Green.
Week commencing Monday 29 May (half term) – no parking around The Green and along the High Street this week, please
- Carriageway narrowing along the A6, closure of The Green, High Street and the A6/The Green junction each day (off-peak hours 0900 to 1630)
- We will undertake the removal of existing surfacing (Tuesday/ Wednesday) and resurface The Green and High Street (Thursday/Friday/Saturday)
- We will need to complete the High Street resurfacing works in two or three sections over two to three days. As a result, cars will not be able to park in certain areas during these days.
Week commencing Monday 5 June – no parking around The Green, please and parking suspended around the A6/The Green junction
- Road marking around The Green.
- Ironwork repairs around The Green.
- Carriageway narrowing along the A6 and closure of the A6/The Green junction each day (off-peak hours 0900 to 1630)
We will need to complete the High Street resurfacing works in two or three sections over two to three days.
We will maintain footway access to properties and businesses at all times.
We apologise for any inconvenience and disruption caused during the daytime road closures.
Important public notice
There is no parking for vehicles on Clophill High Street and The Green during the works and restricted parking to residents on the days we are resurfacing.
Co-op and The Green – there will be limited access to vehicles visiting the Co-op during the works due to no parking and we apologise for any inconvenience. However, we will maintain full pedestrian access.
The Flying Horse Pub – motorists will have access to the flying horse during the works as they can still access the car park.
Clear signage and traffic marshals will be in place for the road closures.
Bus stops and services
The Flying Horse and The Green bus stops are out of use, with temporary bus stops on Clophill Road.
As part of the improvement scheme, we are relocating the Flying Horse bus stop to a new location further north on the A6. We will continue to use the temporary bus stops until 19 June, when buses will return to The Green and use the new A6 bus stop.
Additional information
We are listening to local parishes and residents, taking onboard feedback and providing measures to discourage the use of side roads.
Clophill High Street and The Green will become 20 mph as requested by residents, subject to the making of the required Traffic Regulation Orders.
Also, please be respectful to Octavius staff during the works, and don’t use abusive language.
New flythrough of the improvement scheme
We have updated the digital flythrough to give you an impression of how the completed scheme will look.
You can watch it: Clophill roundabout scheme flythrough
Keeping you informed
We intend to provide regular updates as the work progresses, including information on traffic management arrangements.
Please let others know about this e-bulletin.
There’s further information at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/clophill