Road safety red routes plan to be re-examined

56 minutes ago

Amy Holmes,Bedfordshire political reporterand

Euan Duncan,Local Democracy reporter

News image — Luton Borough Council has said the measures for Bury Park would improve traffic flow, reduce dangerous parking and ensure pavements and junctions remain clear

Holly Nichols/BBC Traffic queues along the left-hand lane of a busy shopping road in Bury Park, Luton, with pedestrians and trees on the pavement to the right. — Luton Borough Council has said the measures for Bury Park would improve traffic flow, reduce dangerous parking and ensure pavements and junctions remain clear

Plans for an 18-month "red route" road safety trial in Luton will be looked at again by councillors.

Luton Borough Council proposed the scheme for Bury Park, which bans parking and loading, but opposition councillors have called in the decision, including Lib Dem Lee Bridgen, who said there were issues in the area, but "this doesn't establish confidence a red route is the right solution".

Labour councillor Javeria Hussain, portfolio holder for sustainable transport, said: "We've received numerous complaints about congestion and safety over many years."

Plans, which would also include automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), will be re-examined at a council meeting on 3 September.

Google Bury Park Road seen from a crossroads. On the right is a United Reformed Church - a large brick building, with terraced houses further down the street. A line of cars and vans are parked on the left of the road, and a line of vehicles are queuing. — Opposition councillors have said local businesses in Bury Park have serious concerns over the proposals for red routes in Luton

Red routes are major urban roads marked with red lines where stopping, parking and loading/unloading are strictly prohibited, and council officers in Luton have recommended introducing them in Bury Park.

The plan was to monitor Dunstable Road from near the Esso petrol station towards its junction with Westbourne Road, and the council's Overview and Scrutiny Board was told there had been 56 reported accident casualties between June 2023 and June 2025, not including minor injuries.

The proposals were called in by Bridgen, who represents the Vauxhall ward, along with Independent councillor David Franks, of Barnfield ward.

Bridgen said: "A consultation produced 2,347 responses acknowledging congestion issues, yet the council's own analysis records strong disagreement about whether the red route will deliver the claimed benefits, with particularly serious concerns from local businesses."

But Hussain, who represents Farley, said: "There are difficulties around the safety of vulnerable people, such as mothers with prams and young children crossing the road and dealing with junctions where vehicles are illegally parked.

"Other concerns are erratic and careless driving, severe congestion that causes driver frustration, and emergency services unable to access side roads.

"The Labour administration took a decision to tackle these issues by balancing the needs of residents and local stakeholders, such as visitors and religious establishments, who were consulted throughout the process."

Proposals also included increasing parking in the area, with 120 spaces near Luton Town's Kenilworth Road ground available to shoppers and visitors, except on matchdays and the day before fixtures.

Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.