Trial red route approved for Luton's Bury Park

The route along a section of Dunstable Road in Luton aims to improve traffic flows where “it can take ten minutes to travel a third of a mile, when it’s really busy”, last night’s (Monday) executive meeting heard.

Bury Park is a key commercial, residential and community hub with high volumes of through traffic, public transport and pedestrian activity, according to a report to the local authority’s executive.

Numerous complaints have been received from the local community for many years about congestion, road safety and inappropriate parking behaviour, the report added.

Council leader and Labour Biscot councillor Tahmina Saleem told the committee: “This began as a result of need, with parking and safety the major concerns.

“That includes obstructed pavements from illegal loading and unloading, the obstruction caused by illegally parked vehicles at junctions, and parking on double yellow lines.

“There’s severe congestion. Initial proposals to address these issues were prepared last year. Our officers responded and updated the proposals after an extensive consultation.

“We recommend a trial red route is introduced for 18 months under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), including a three-minute grace period to allow drivers to pick up and drop off without receiving a fine.

“Footway parking restrictions will prevent vehicles illegally parking on footpaths, keeping them free for pedestrians and improving accessibility. One concern was adequate parking for residents.

“We sourced 120 spaces at Hazelbury Crescent, apart from football club matchdays and the day before a fixture. We’ll be extending waiting in loading bays from 7am to 10pm, rather than 7pm, and the loading bay stay from 30 minutes to 45 minutes to give businesses more time to load and unload.

“Disabled bay stays will increase from an hour to 90 minutes. We’re not removing any car parking spaces at all in Bury Park,” she added.

“It’s about stopping illegal parking and obtaining an improved traffic flow, with better enforcement of the current restrictions.”

Liberal Democrat group leader and Barnfield councillor Amjid Ali said: “It’s slightly disappointing you’ve not taken any of the recommendations from scrutiny on board.

“This is going to be detrimental to the area. I’m disappointed you’re pushing through something which is deeply unpopular in the area.”

The double red lines of the ETRO signify ‘No stopping at any time’, including no parking or loading, and will be enforced by cameras.

Asked about the three-minute concession, LBC’s highways project design and delivery manager Kieran Franzen replied: “This is in direct response to the faith groups, which raised concerns members of their congregation wouldn’t be able to visit their establishments.

“Some are elderly and vulnerable residents. It’s a permitted time for them to pick up and drop off their customers. The three minutes is a guideline.

“Time will be permitted to help someone get a wheelchair out of the back of a vehicle. It depends on the type of activity. For any offence, it has to be verified by a person. So there’ll be a manual employee monitoring the cameras.”

Labour Central councillor Mohammed Yaqub Hanif suggested: “It’s about changing the culture of the people who visit Bury Park, and how we conduct our daily lives.

“Can we not just walk to the shops, if possible? I’ve timed it, and it takes ten minutes to do a third of a mile in Bury Park, when it’s really busy. Something had to be done and this is going to be on a trial basis.

“If it doesn’t work, we’ll go back to the double yellow lines. There’s a massive social benefit. Concessions have been made. If there’s a funeral and a hearse has to pick up, those allowances are there.

“There are environmental targets too. All the shoppers are breathing in those fumes through bad practice.”