Repairs to Leighton Buzzard’s multi-storey car park lift expected by early September

An apology for the ongoing disruption has been issued by Central Bedfordshire Council, which has been waiting for the necessary parts to arrive.

The public lift was targeted by vandals during one incident, while other problems have included trolleys being pushed off the roof of the West Street car park.

Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Steve Owen has been asking for “a prompt response on the lift repairs”, having contacted CBC assets officers.

“They replied on April 2 saying ‘soon’, but just back from holiday in May and still no lifts working,” he told the local democracy reporting service.

“I asked them again and the answer was ‘shortly’, which isn’t acceptable,” he explained. “The lift is needed by the old and the disabled. Their trips to the town centre for medical appointments and shopping are being made impossible.

“CBC officers aren’t sharing with us what they’re doing. Have they even got a plan? They won’t tell us. I’ve asked the assets portfolio holder and Independent Biggleswade West councillor Steve Watkins to intervene and tell us when the town can expect action.

“I reckon if this was a car park in Biggleswade or Ampthill it would have received action a damn sight more quickly.”

CBC’s executive member for business, housing and public assets councillor Watkins said in a statement: “After anti-social behaviour at Leighton Buzzard multi-storey car park, the public lift was significantly damaged and requires full refurbishment.

“The parts required have been ordered. Once these arrive, it requires about five weeks to fit. The lift is expected to return to service in early September 2026.

“We apologise for the disruption and thank users for their patience. Alternative car parks are available across the town, with details on our website.”

These issues have been discussed by the now disbanded CBC police and crime advisory panel, and by its Leighton-Linslade partnership committee.

Bedfordshire Police has suggested to the local authority that it pays to put up some barriers, or alternatively closes off the top deck.

At the partnership committee meeting, CBC Liberal Democrat Leighton Linslade North councillor Kevin Pughe said: “Bedfordshire Police thinks at strategic level it’s lowered the (crime) risk.

“But the police’s story didn’t match our experience on anti-social behaviour. We set a priority around the town centre, where trolleys are being lobbed off the top of the multi-storey car park.

“The county force has been in touch with CBC assets. Police are suggesting the council pays to put up some barriers or alternatively closes off the top deck.

“The local authority has had a formal response from the police about the car park being dangerous because of this anti-social behaviour. The town centre has extra policing, which is meant to be over and above.

“We need to ensure we get value for money from the cameras and from Operation Dodford to tackle vandalism and anti-social behaviour locally. We’ll review that with the police.

“Operation Dodford needs reviewing. We don’t spend the entire budget every time. The town council assets are getting damaged.”