Local town and MP join forces to shut ‘ownerless’ road in a push for council action

After a key but poorly maintained thoroughfare in Shefford was left to fall into an ownerless blackhole, defaulting to the Crown Estate when its owner went into liquidation, the town’s residents, together with their MP, are uniting to demand action.

On Wednesday 27th August, from 7:30am to 8:30am, Alistair Strathern MP and Shefford Town Council will join local residents in a community-led road closure of Old Bridge Way. The protest will highlight the deteriorating condition of this vital thoroughfare and call on Central Bedfordshire Council to take ownership so urgent repairs can finally be carried out.

Old Bridge Way is currently ‘ownerless’, with no authority accepting responsibility for its upkeep. This followed previous owners selling it to a company that was promptly liquidated, returning it to the stewardship of the Crown Estate. In the meantime, the road’s crumbling surface has left residents facing mounting bills to repair damaged tyres and alloys, while also posing risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

Refusing to accept further inaction, residents are transforming the protest into a celebration of community spirit. For one morning only, Old Bridge Way will become a hive of activity, complete with games, food, music, and banners, to show just how essential the road is to daily life in Shefford and the surrounding villages.

Commenting, Alistair Strathern MP said:

“Old Bridge Way is a key road for Shefford and surrounding villages, and it’s simply not acceptable to let it crumble because of a bureaucratic stalemate. 

“I’ve heard from countless residents who have had to fork out an eye-watering amount in damages despite the state of the road not being their fault.

“It can’t continue, and that’s why together with residents and Shefford Town Council, we are saying enough, it’s time to take action.”

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