Brickhill - Parish of Cyclists
Brickhill has one of the highest number of residents (2011 census) that cycle in the Bedford urban area with 5% of those travelling to work going by bicycle but with 55% of residents working less than 5km from their homes, there is scope for many more people to consider this mode of transport.
The area has easy cycle access and the bicycle is ideal to travel to the town centre, railway station, work, local shops, churches, community and leisure centres as well as to the number of schools which are used by local school children.
Safe Crossings
Brickhill is fortunate in having a number of safe signalled controlled crossings of the two main roads which are in the Parish: Kimbolton Road and Brickhill Drive.
1 - Pegasus crossing of Kimbolton Road near The Pheasant Public House linking Brickhill to the adjacent Mowsbury Park and the route to Mark Rutherford Upper School in Wentworth Drive.
2 - Toucan crossing of Kimbolton Road between Avon Drive (South) and Brickhill Drive linking the dual use track from Larkway to Lombardy Close and on to Putnoe including Putnoe Shopping Parade and Library and Putnoe Heights Church.
3 - Toucan crossing of Brickhill Drive (East) linking Brickhill via Larkway to Bedford Park and the Town Centre, and the flat way to Bedford Railway Station.
4 - Toucan crossing of Brickhill Drive (Mid) linking Brickhill via Kestrel Road for the Scott Lower and Beauchamp Middle Schools in Hawk Drive, to the south Birds area of Brickhill and Bedford Cemetery and Park and the Town Centre. This route is via one of the highest points in Bedford.
Immediately south of Brickhill on Kimbolton Road is a Toucan near St Andrews Church linking St Alban Road to the tracks to Polhill Avenue and Caves Lane leading to the Castle Road area, Russell Park, The Embankment and river Great Ouse.
Cycle Parking Stands
There are already a number of areas in Brickhill where there are bicycle locking points - 'Sheffield' stands, etc - Brickhill Drive and Avon Drive shopping parades, St Marks Community Centre, Brickhill Community Centre, Anjulita Court (Woodlands Park), Woodlands Park sports area, Baptist Church (chains).
If further ones are required in other areas of Brickhill please contact CCNB so they can be put on the Borough's list if required in a public area.
Please note that as part of planning applications all new dwellings (houses and flats) as well as all public facilities, businesses, etc have to incorporate a specific number of cycle parking stands as one of the conditions of the application's approval.