VIDEO: Landmark for Luton Dunstable Busway

Portfolio holder for transportation, Cllr Dave Taylor, said: “This signals that the Luton Dunstable Busway – the second longest in the world and the longest in an urban environment – is nearing completion and we are looking forward to bus services commencing in the late summer.

“It will revolutionise bus travel in Luton, Dunstable and Houghton Regis with a superb, smooth ride quality and dramatically reduced journey times.”

Since work began in February 2011, six bridges have been demolished and rebuilt and three new structures addded.

These will ensure that services can bypass congestion hotspots across Luton and Dunstable and deliver the shortest possible journey time for passengers.

The 13.4 km busway from Houghton Regis to Luton Airport includes 7.4 km of guideway, comprising more than four thousand 4.8 tonne pre-cast concrete beams and and 2,598 pads to support them.

If all the beams were laid end to end, they would stretch for 17 miles.

Test runs along the entire route are due to begin on Monday (June 3).

Three operators – Arriva, Centrebus and Grant Palmer – are finalising partnership agreements with the two councils to run services.

Arriva has invested £1.7 million in a fleet of 11 new buses already operating in Luton.

Driver training will begin later next month with the route expected to be in operation late August to mid September.

More than 150 bus stops away from the busway have been upgraded with up-to-the-minute passenger information, raised pavements for level boarding and many new shelters.

A smart new bus interchange has been completed at Luton train station.

A new cycle route will run along the entire busway length and continue alongside Dog Kennel Downs, Blows Down and over the M1.

> Now watch Natalee Hazelwood’s riveting video at www.lutontoday.co.uk