Calls for speed cameras on Old Bedford Road after serious collision in Luton

The collision on Friday closed a section of the road between Priory Gardens and Bradgers Hill Road
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Speed cameras should be installed on Old Bedford Road in Luton, it has been claimed, following another serious accident.

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision involving two cars. One vehicle collided with the wall of a property, and both ended up on the pavement.

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Three fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene, along with a specialist rescue unit with cutting equipment.

Three fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene. (C) Bedfordshire Fire and RescueThree fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene. (C) Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue
Three fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene. (C) Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue

The incident closed a section of the road between Priory Gardens and Bradgers Hill Road, shortly after 4pm, on Friday.

A recent traffic survey revealed nearly a third of vehicles travelling at more than 20mph over the 30mph speed limit on Old Bedford Road, according to Liberal Democrat Barnfield borough councillor David Franks. However, it is not known if speed was a contributory factor in this incident.

A Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “The incident involved two vehicles, which had collided, and two people had to be removed from the cars.

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“They were left in the care of the East of England Ambulance Service.”

Three fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene (C) Bedfordshire Fire and RescueThree fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene (C) Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue
Three fire crews from Luton and Stopsley attended the scene (C) Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue

Cllr Franks has written to the council’s corporate director place and infrastructure Laura Church and service director public realm Alex Constantinides, who’s responsible for highways, asking for action. The Liberal Democrat group leader has been campaigning for speed reduction measures along Old Bedford Road.

“The local authority has the results of a speed survey carried out over a two-week period, about 18 months ago,” he explained.

“This showed around 30 per cent of vehicles travelling at in excess of 50mph.”

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“How many more incidents, how many more injuries, how many more deaths do we need to have before we get proper digital cameras in Old Bedford Road? There’s a map dated 2007 showing that traffic collisions on this road are a frequent event.”

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “We were called to a report of a collision involving a black Vauxhall Corsa and a grey BMW at around 4.05pm on Friday.

“The driver of Corsa was found to have obtained serious injuries, which aren’t believed to be life threatening. The road was closed for a short time while both vehicles were recovered.

“Anyone who may have seen anything in the area at the time, or may have dash cam footage, please call 101 or use the online reporting tool, quoting the reference 288 of 17 April 2020.”

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A spokesperson for Luton Council said: "Enforcement of speed is a police issue and Luton Council has worked closely with Bedfordshire Police over recent years to increase the amount of enforcement.

"Speed cameras are strategically placed across the town, with the locations selected based on accident history and speed of traffic.

"Our records show that on Old Bedford Road between Stockingstone Road and Cromer Way there have been 8 slight injury accidents in the three years 2016 to 2018 and although this road is on our local safety scheme list for consideration, it is some way behind other areas of greater priority.

"We continue to monitor all injury accidents and work hard to reduce these."