Unsuitable Shefford road is at route of the problem

HGVs entering and leaving the town are currently advised to use Ampthill Road, but members of Shefford Town Council favour Churchill Way.

The road, which is part of the Taylor Wimpey housing estate built in Shefford in the late 1980s was originally intended for HGV use. But it has never been adopted by Central Bedfordshire Council.

Central Beds would have to adopt the road for it to be used for HGVs. But for this to happen the other organisations that own sections of the road would need to come to an arrangement with the authority. As well as the council the road is also partly owned by Taylor Wimpey and by developer Richard Daniels.

Shefford Town Councillor Ken Pollard said: “Ampthill Road is the route that HGVs use at the moment but as everyone knows it’s not particularly suitable for that kind of traffic.

“It is a relatively narrow road with traffic islands and it is also a route that many parents use to take their children to Shefford Lower School.”

Shefford mayor Councillor Paul Mackin added: “Lorries that supply Morrisons with their deliveries use Ampthill Road quite a lot but because of where the road is they are limited, especially on a Sunday for example when they can only make one delivery.”

Councillor Brian Spurr, Central Bedfordshire Council’s executive member for sustainable communities services, said: “The Council is in discussions with all of the parties involved to get the whole route adopted and under the control and responsibility of the council.

“The legislation covering this matter does not however give the Council power to force the owners to offer roads for adoption, or to enforce any timescale so this process has to be one of negotiation.”

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said: “We can confirm that we are extremely close to finalising the handover of the roads at this development to the local highways authority, and expect this to happen early in 2012.

“Once the handover has been completed, it is up to the local highways authority to decide on specific uses and priorities for its public highways.”

The Chronicle was unable to make contact with Richard Daniels for a comment.