Higham Ferrers

[Snoopy10]

Hello
I am hoping to move to Higham Ferres area but need to commute to bedford school - I am new to the area but haven't found anything in Bedford I want and really like this town.
Does anyone commute into Bedford from here?
Any advice very much appreciated

Higham more of a village since they built Rushden Lakes and all the shops in Higham and Rushden died. I think they will bounce back with more specialist shops over the next few years.
Easy commute to Bedford on the A6 though. I live further east but know several people who commute on A6 from that area.

Since the A6 is where you'll need to be for commuting, make sure you've got easy access. I used to commute that way sometimes and the A6 does get very busy and slow, not unusual for commuting but make sure to factor in the extra time needed to your plans.

That's great news thank you so much for your replies.
Do you think I would miss the rush if leaving at 7:30? The Clapham roundabout appears to be gridlock at 8:30am although I know the Bromham road is temorarily closed, I don't know if it will be any better when it reopens as I have only just moved here.

The shops in Higham haven't died, they haven't changed! Traffic can be poor going into Bedford, have you run the route from where you're house hunting on google maps at the relevant times in the morning? That'll show you the trouble spots.

Higham is great.

That's good to hear :) I think Higham is very pretty. I guess I won't be the only one doing the commute from there then, Will just have to test the run on a school day when I get a chance. I really appreciate the feedback thank you.

No you won’t miss the rush at the Clapham roundabout at 07:30 - it’s often already snarled up by then (I drive out of Bedford that way on a morning between 07:20 and 07:35). Although it’s better coming from the dual carriageway than the new bypass. They’re fiddling with the road system around Clapham Road/Manton Lane at the moment and I think the plan is to put traffic lights on the Clapham roundabout - which may or may not help.

Thanks that is useful to know - hmm will try to pursuade dd that the school carpark is really fun at 6:30am! I guess I will have to sit it out with everyone else then - and try and save up for an electric car...

It’s a recent thing - linked to the bridge on Bromham Road being closed to traffic (due to the electrification work). It might only be temporary.

It would be about a 45 min commute most days at that time, before 7am and after 9.30 it would be 25 mins or so. There are always the back roads if the A6 is clogged up, not good in the snow though!

Back roads also a problem when the river floods (and traffic inevitably increases on the A6 when this happens).

Back roads - is there a preferable route? Does anyone here do the commute at all?

The only real alternative way into Bedford from that side is down Kimbolton Road (B660). I suppose it depends which school you’re aiming for. I’d definitely use the A6 for Rushmoor/BMS, and the B660 for St Andrew’s. It’s less clear-cut for Bedford School/BGS.

Thanks so much - I will have to give them all a test run at dawn :)