Time limited parking on Leighton Buzzard road scrapped after backlash
Parts of a traffic scheme targeting commuter parking in Leighton Buzzard have been shelved because of “a massive negative response” from residents, a meeting heard.
A traffic regulation order proposed to introduce ‘No waiting at any time’ double yellow lines on Soulbury Road Service Road and introduce single yellow line time-limited restrictions across the remainder of the road, according to a Central Bedfordshire Council traffic management meeting report.
Highways officers met with ward councillors to review concerns about commuter parking there, said the report. “The planned time‑limited restrictions would prohibit parking daily for two hours between 10am and 12pm, along most of the road, with double yellow line restrictions at the junction with Soulbury Road.
“On requests for a residential permit scheme, CBC guidance indicates that such schemes are most suitable in areas where many properties don’t have off‑street parking and rely on the availability of on‑street capacity.
“The high level of objection to the time‑limited restrictions shows that their impact is greater than anticipated and would outweigh the intended benefits.”
Resident Stacey Lynch told the meeting: “Commuter parking is no worse now than previously.
“There are extra vehicles from people living locally, as there are more cars per house,” she said. “People should park better, so more vehicles can fit into the available space. My main issue is where do people without driveways park?”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Victoria Harvey explained: “There’s definitely an issue from Leighton Buzzard railway station.
“It’s expensive, as it costs about £10.50 a day (to park there). So we’re getting a huge amount of pressure on all the neighbouring roads.
“The double yellow lines round the road entrance is crucial because of issues with emergency vehicle access and waste lorries having to back up against the traffic flow to reach some bins.
“Residents’ parking is what many people really wanted. I’ve been begging Network Rail and our MP for lower (parking) charges at the station. The single yellow line and waiting restrictions will be detrimental to many people’s lives.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Russ Goodchild said: “The consultation process outcome is a great disappointment, given the massive negative response to the proposals.
“It’s evident a solution is required to deter rail commuters from using these residential roads to avoid high charges at the station car park. The residents’ parking scheme isn’t a possibility because there’s so much off-road parking provision.
“So the agreed scheme is very much a second choice. The parking limitation proposals should be dropped in favour of the status quo, allowing residents to return to the drawing board.”
Independent Leighton Linslade West councillor Steve Owen added: “The time-limited restrictions have encountered far more opposition than was originally thought to be the case. I wouldn’t want that part to proceed.”
CBC’s head of traffic management Kyle Stewart confirmed: “We’ll introduce junction protection at the Soulbury Road Service Road junction and not proceed with the rest of the scheme.”
Independent Aspley and Woburn councillor John Baker, who chairs the meeting, noted that of 16 public consultation responses all were against any time-limited restrictions, saying: “We’ll proceed with the junction protection and put the other aspect to grass.”