Shelved Bury Park red route would cost 'significantly' less than enforcement say Luton Labour councillors

Proposals by the borough council to ease congestion, improve pedestrian safety and provide more parking return to committee for detailed analysis around aspects of the highways department scheme.

The experimental red route on a stretch of Dunstable Road was part of a package of measures approved by LBC’s executive under its previous Labour administration.

Opposition councillors called in the plans and then became the ruling group, after a breakaway by several Labour councillors to form the Independent Alliance led to a vote of no confidence and a change of council leadership.

Now the minority Labour opposition group has decided to call in the decision taken by the Liberal Democrat and Independent Alliance coalition, which shelved the red route in favour of more enforcement of current parking restrictions.

Labour High Town councillor James Taylor and Labour Northwell councillor Amy Nicholls have tabled their objections, prompting a meeting of LBC’s overview and scrutiny board.

Giving his reasons, councillor Taylor explained: “The proposal asks for more enforcement officers, meaning extra costs to the council to staff this request.

“We want to fully understand what these cost implications would be and why the executive deems any possible additional revenue expenditure on staff to be value for money for local taxpayers, when an option exists for a capital spend which is significantly lower.”

Councillor Nicholls has “concerns about reviewing bus stops and the potential impact on disabled, elderly and more economically disadvantaged bus users, of which we know there are a significant number in Bury Park”.

She added: “We want to fully understand what’s being proposed or reviewed, as well as the potential impact on our Luton 2040 commitments.”

Council leader and Liberal Democrat Barnfield councillor Amjid Ali previously described the coalition’s alternative plans as “a more practical and structured approach”.

Among the priorities for the opposition coalition is for LBC officers to commission an independent economic impact assessment of the highways scheme for Bury Park.

Once its decision has been scrutinised in line with a council standing order, the board has three options, according to a report to councillors.

“It may indicate there’s no objection to the called in decision being implemented immediately, refer that decision back to the executive for reconsideration and may recommend it’s amended in some way, or refer the decision to a full council meeting,” said the report.

“A full council meeting cannot change the executive decision, but it may debate the matter and refer it back to the committee, or support it proceeding straight away.”

Earlier this month, the executive agreed “action is required to tackle the concerns raised by the community around congestion, safety and inappropriate parking behaviour in Bury Park”.

The committee supported “elements of the scheme that can be implemented without the need for prior red route designation, as well as increasing enforcement staff, subject to available resources”.

Officers were also asked to review the bus stop locations in the area, as resident feedback suggests some of these contribute to the congestion.