The long-awaited completion of Luton’s inner ring road has moved a step closer with Government approval for the compulsory purchase orders required by the Council.
The confirmation by Transport Secretary Justine Greening follows a three-day public inquiry into the £24 million Luton Town Centre Transport Scheme, which will also deliver associated transport improvements on the north side of the town centre, heard by The Planning Inspectorate at the Strathmore Hotel in January.
Last month, independent inspector Mr JI McPherson informed Ms Greening that he accepted the “compelling case” for a scheme which is key to Luton’s future growth and long-term economic prosperity.
Subject to final confirmation of funding by the Department for Transport, work which is expected to take 18 months could now start by late 2013 with completion by early 2015.
Cllr Sian Timoney, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, said the scheme could help attract a £1.5bn investment package to Luton, delivering around 11,000 new jobs and up to 4,000 new homes.
She said: “Anyone who knows Luton town centre will be familiar with its congestion issues, particularly at peak times. Not only will this scheme provide additional vehicle capacity but traffic modelling shows there will be a significant reduction in that congestion which will also make the town centre more attractive for pedestrians and cyclists.
“It delivers major benefits for Luton’s retail sector and greatly improves prospects for the delivery of major regeneration, including the proposed mixed-use developments at Power Court and High Town Village and extensions to The Mall shopping centre. It could also help release much-needed funding for the improvement of Luton station.”
At the centre of the project is a new two-way single-carriageway ‘Gateway Link’ road which will run from the junction of Hucklesby Way and Old Bedford Road as far as a new signal-controlled junction with Church Street and Hitchin Road. This section of the route runs between Midland Road and the railway line and passes under the station multi-storey car park.
The route then continues into Crescent Road to another new signalled-controlled junction with Crawley Green Road, and from there the next section will be made dual carriageway as far as St Mary’s roundabout.
The scheme includes two new bridges, to cross the mainline railway and the Luton Dunstable Busway, and also a shared cycle/pedestrian route.
A new access road will run from Gillam Street to serve Midland Road while Guildford Street will be closed to through traffic to enable an improved pedestrian connection between the new railway-bus interchange and the town centre via a proposed new public square.
Cllr Timoney added: “The scheme we are promoting forms a fundamental part of the integrated and comprehensive regeneration of our town.
“The Transport Secretary’s decision is very welcome news. The Council has been working hard for more than nine years to get to this point where we can buy the land we need and enter the detailed design phase.”
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