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Written by Richard Allen - 11 Jun 2015
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Location notes
A footbridge over the Midland Main Line just south of Ampthill Tunnel and the former Ampthill station.
Railway type and traffic
Standard south end Midland Main Line fare: HSTs, 222s, 387s, 377s (very few 319s now) and a reasonable amount of freight.
Link to Real Time Trains
RTT Link Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge
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Environment
This is a new footbridge which was built to replace a footpath crossing. It is located at the edge of an industrial estate which partly occupies the site of the former Ampthill station. It is pretty quiet; you will get occasional walkers and you might also get a friendly query as to whether there is anything interesting coming from the workers in the nearby units. There is no lighting so not much use after dark.
Road directions
From the M1 southbound, Junction 13:
Take the A507 towards Ampthill. As you approach the town, the road will bear sharp right; shortly afterwards you will come to a mini-roundabout at which you turn right (signposted "Ampthill Industrial Estate (Station Road)". Take this road until just before it ends in a cul-de-sac and you will see another anonymous road on the left. Take this road and after about 1/4 mile you will see the footbridge on the right. You can park on the road but if you're there during working hours, be careful not to block access to any of the industrial units.

From the M1 northbound, Junction 12:
Take the A5120 towards and past Flitwick to Ampthill; on the outskirts of Ampthill you will come to a roundabout; turn left onto the A507 (signposted Milton Keynes). At the next roundabout, the A507 bears right; follow the A507 and the Station Road turning is left at the second roundabout after you turn right.

If coming from the east, take the A507 from the A1 (M) junction 10; Ampthill is about 12 miles along this road and then follow the same directions as above.

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Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge map co-ordinates
Parking
There is some roadside car parking but as it is an industrial area, make sure you are not blocking access to any units.
Public transport
Probably the easiest way is by bus from Flitwick or Bedford to Ampthill town centre and then walk out of the town along Station Road until you get to the roundabout mentioned earlier. It is probably about a 20-30 minute walk from the town centre.

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Amenities
None at the location. Ampthill town centre has all the usual facilities and there is also a Shell petrol station by the A5120/A507 roundabout.
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.
Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge

Googly map
Streetmap links
Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge general view map
Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge close up map

Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Ampthill Industrial Estate footbridge



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Photographic notes
This location is only good in the afternoon when the sun is on the open, west side of the line. The bridge itself is caged in but you can poke the camera through some gaps to get a passable shot of a southbound train. Best shots are either of northbound trains from the bridge steps or southbound standing under the bridge - you can poke the camera through the gaps in the palisade fencing. OLE is not too much of a problem here.
The only clue that there was a station here (apart from the Station Road name!) is that the fast and slow lines diverge slightly just north of the bridge where the up platform used to be.


General views - All photographs © Richard Allen unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 1 - Looking north


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 2 - Looking south


Fig 3 - Looking north


Fig 3 - Looking north


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