NEW CROSSING FOR BEDFORD ACADEMY STUDENTS

Work to create a new signalled crossing for students at the Bedford Academy is now complete.

The "toucan" crossing for cyclists and pedestrians is located on Mile Road near the main entrance to the Academy and provides a safe crossing for hundreds of Bedford Academy pupils. New cycle paths and improvements to the Academy's bus stop will follow next year and improve access for hundreds of pupils every day.

Bedford Borough Council has secured a contribution towards the work from Sustrans, the charity enabling people to make more of their everyday journeys on foot or by bike. The charity received a grant from the Department for Transport to deliver new routes, in partnership with local authorities, connecting communities to their schools, colleges and wider networks, including the National Cycle Network.

Councillor Charles Royden, Portfolio Holder for Transport, said: "I am delighted that we have been able to secure funding to help us carry out these much needed highway works forBedfordAcademy.

"Many of the Academy's students live locally and walk or cycle to school. It is therefore extremely important that we carry out this work to make the road outside the Academy as safe as possible.

"The new crossing, cycle tracks and changes to the nearby bus stop will help us to achieve that as well as encouraging more pupils to walk or cycle to school."