MP and town close ‘shocking’ ownerless road to push council to act

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

WEDNESDAY 27^th AUGUST 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alistair Strathern, the MP for Hitchin, alongside Shefford Town Council, closed Old Bridge Way for one hour this morning to call for action to fix the road from Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).

Strathern was joined by 75 others, who all came out at 7 30am on a workday to make their voices heard.

The crowd was made up of all ages, with kids playing mini golf with the potholes and adults mingling and holding signs.

Old Bridge Way, a main through way through the town of Shefford, has been in an appalling condition for years. With countless deep potholes and cracks, Strathern’s office regularly hears from constituents whose cars have sustained damage on the road.

The road’s private owner left it to rot and, after transferring it to a new entity, the company was then liquidated. In the meantime, Central Beds Council have refused to resurface or adopt the road.

With it ownerless and unsafe, Strathern and Shefford are calling on Central Beds Council to step up and make the road the standard locals deserve.

Strathern has previously written to CBC calling for action with 500 signatures and met with their transport team. With no action on the horizon, today’s protest marked the next step in their push for action.

The hope is that the physical demonstration of how much this important road matters to people – which serves homes, businesses and the town centre – will force CBC to act.

Alistair Strathern said:

“Shefford came together this morning to call time on the status quo, and demand action from CBC to fix this shocking road.

“I am so pleased and proud of how, across age, politics and background, our community united this morning.

“For years, the road has been in a dire state with the council failing to take ownership or force the previous owner to adequately maintain it. 

“After the previous owners finally shirked their responsibilities and left the road to the crown estate, it’s fallen into an accountability black hole.

“If the council don’t act, this crucial through road will fall into an ever-declining condition. 

“Today we sent a signal not only that Old Bridge Way must be fixed, but that the countless private infrastructure nationally in disrepair must be looked at.

“My office will be continuing to push CBC to do everything we can to get the action Shefford deserves.”

Notes for Editors

You can see pictures from the protest attached.

A small section of Old Bridge Way – still allowing access to Morrisons and all businesses – was closed this morning from 7 30am to 8 30am. 75 people joined Strathern at the protest.

You can see a post from Strathern after the event here.