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Written by Ken Brunt - 13 Apr 2005
last update by Mark Bearton - 11 Mar 2009
and by Marcus Dawson - 19 Aug 2009
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Location notes
A rural location, on the outskirts of Bedford. The A421, the road bridge from which you shoot, is currenlty undergoing major road works.
Railway type and traffic
The Bedford Bletchley line is operated by London Midland trains that run a mostly hourly service between the two stations. Trains stop by request at Kempston Hardwick. There are no scheduled passenger trains on Sunday. These are operated by a small fleet of either 150 or 153 units.
Frieght is currently sparse along the route, but it frequently used by workings heading from the Midland Main line traveling to the south, cutting across to Bletchley.
Environment
This location is a bridge carrying the busy A421 over the railway.
Road directions
From the M1, Junction 13:
Take the A421, signposted for Marston Moretaine, the Bedford to Bletchley line will be on your right along this road. When you approach Kempston, after 7 or so miles, the A421 turns right at a roundabout. Park around here and walk along the A421 to the bridge location.

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Kempston Hardwick map co-ordinates
Parking
Given the current roadworks situation it would be best to park in the Interchange Retail Park, just to the east of the location, and walk back.
Public transport
The nearest bus services to this location are Stagecoaches services 1/2 from Bedford to Hastings Road in Kempston, which run every 6 minutes.
You would then need to walk along Harter Road onto Woburn Road (the A5134) then south to the roundabout where it meets the A421, thence along that road to the bridge. This walk would take about 15 minutes.

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Amenities
None at the location. Bedford is close by. There is a Little Chef westbound on the A421.
Accommodation
Bedford offers a variety of places to stay. Some local farms do Bed and Breakfast.
Sun Compass
Sun Compass using Suncalc by brought to you by Vladimir Agafonkin:
It might be necessary to adjust the time to suit your visit, this link should open with the current day.
Kempston Hardwick

Googly map
Streetmap links
Kempston Hardwick general view map
Kempston Hardwick close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Kempston Hardwick



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Photographic notes
This line runs north / south so each end of the day is best assuming the sun appears. You can only shoot one way that is trains heading north, unless you enjoy going away shots.


General views - All photographs © Ken Brunt unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking north - Image � Marcus Dawson


Fig 2 - Looking north - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>

This shot, taken in August 2009, shows the roadworks taking place under the current bridge. It is expected that there will be a new bridge built here. But, access notwithstanding, this should be a very similar shot to fig 1.
Currently you will need a minimum of a 70mm lens to 'get over' these works.

Fig 3 - Looking south west - Image � Marcus Dawson


Fig 3 - Looking south west - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>

To reach this shot from the A421 roundabout.
Enter the industrial estate and follow the road to the end (it will bear right) Park there and there is a foot path that continues on behind the fence round the units which leads you to a foot crossing which is the location.

This shot will be best suited to the winter months as the greenery at the side will grow to an intrusive height during the summer.

Fig 4 - Looking north west - Image � Marcus Dawson


Fig 4 - Looking north west - <i>Image © Marcus Dawson</i>

Same position as Fig 3. The current bridge for Fig 1 is in the background. It is also possible to walk to that location from here following the grass area and climbing a reasonably steep bank up to the A421.

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