£4 million earmarked for bridge that isn’t broken
On Wednesday 19th November, the Conservative Mayor’s Executive plans to approve a £4m refurbishment of Kempston Mill Bridge.
The bridge was refurbished to a high standard and re-opened in 2022, so the reason given for spending £4 million is ‘for the Bedford and Milton Keynes waterway for future use as a navigational route by larger watercraft’.
Cllr Henry Vann, leader of Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, commented:
“This beggars belief. At a time when the Council is ‘in effect bankrupt’ the Mayor shows precious little sign of letting up on his spending spree and is proposing to spend £4 million raising Kempston Mill bridge. Worse, this isn’t even for safety reasons or maintenance – but for a canal project which whilst we might all support it, has a total earmarked cost of half a billion pounds!”
“Meanwhile there is only £1 million earmarked for the vital Queen’s Bridge from Kempston to Queen’s Park which needs to be re-opened as a matter of urgency.”
Even the Council’s own business case scores this project as only 25/70 – and admits there has been ‘no consultation’ (page 273, Executive papers).
“The Mayor’s plan seems to be, spend £4 million pounds so that taller boats on the canal – which is a long, long way from being built – can get under the bridge. This is irresponsible.”
“No-one thinks the Canal isn’t a lovely idea, but the Mayor’s obsession with this project above and beyond responsible finances is astounding. This is folly and waste of the highest order and we call on the Executive reject this nonsensical proposal.”
NOTES
Kempston bridge reopens a year after closure - BBC News
(Public Pack)Agenda Document for Executive, 19/11/2025 18:30