What does the future hold for pedestrianisation in Leighton Buzzard High Street?

Leighton Buzzcycles and Leighton Linslade Living Streets believe that the scheme has benefitted the high street, making it safer, easier to navigate and more community-friendly.

It was first introduced in June 2020, and described by CBC as a “temporary arrangement”, which was part of an 18-month traffic order, ensuring that residents could socially distance. It also aided the return of the market.

Hoping it could be made permanent, Esther Clarke, secretary of Leighton Buzzcycles, said: “We are a local cycling campaign group, and we’re really keen to work with the councils to make the scheme work for everybody. There’s more space and freedom to move about.

“We recognise that disabled drivers need to park close to the centre, something the scheme would need provision for in the long term, and it would also be great to extend it to other town centre streets.”

Tom Littlehales, organiser of Leighton Linslade Living Streets, also suggested several benefits of permanent pedestrianisation, including: increased public events, a spacious and more appealing market; room for additional planters and street furniture.

Meanwhile, both groups would also welcome a high street cycle lane, and believe that pedestrianisation would encourage more families to walk into town, helping the environment.

Commenting on safety, Tom added: “I’m sure the majority of drivers are considerate, but some aren’t.You could cross the road easily to see a friend and hear the noise of children playing and people talking, rather than traffic.”

Both Esther and Tom are hoping to speak at a virtual meeting of Leighton-Linslade Town Council’s Partnership Committee on February 4, which will receive an update from a CBC officer on the revised timescales for reviewing the experimental traffic regulation order.

Leighton-Linslade Town Councillor Steve Owen, who has prepared a report questioning whether the trial is temporary or intended to be permanent, said: “There isn’t a proposal for permanence on the table at the moment.

“If it is intended to be permanent, it needs to be put to the public and organisations, such as the emergency services, cyclists, and so forth, so we can hear a balance. I have no strong views about pedestrianisation myself, but I am strongly opposed to any important change taking place without public consultation.”

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive Member for Community Services, Cllr Ian Dalgarno, said: “Let me make it absolutely clear at the outset that the pedestrianisation of the High Street from June 2020 is an 18-month trial and was introduced to make it easier for shoppers to safely socially distance. We’ve received a lot of feedback and the scheme has been tweaked a number of times in line with that feedback.

“As a council we take justifiable pride in consulting our residents before making decisions that affect their lives. So once we start to approach the end of the trial we will consult widely and we will encourage a wide range of stakeholders, residents, businesses and others to take part.

“We would also need to carry out a formal consultation with a range of statutory bodies as well as the public and businesses if there is a widespread desire to extend the period of pedestrianisation or make it permanent.”

Leighton-Linslade Living Streets aims “to make walking, cycling and wheeling the safe and easy choice for journeys within the town for those of all ages and abilities.”

Facebook : Leighton Linslade Living Streets.

Leighton Buzzcycles is encouraging residents to email their ward councillors with their views on pedestrianisation

Visit: https://leightonbuzzcycles.wordpress.com/What are your thoughts about pedestrianisation? We'd love to hear from businesses and residents. Email: [email protected]