Leighton Buzzard residents face four months of ‘major’ roadworks along A4012

Central Beds Councillor Mark Versallion (Heath and Reach ward) says he is disappointed that developers working on the Clipstone Park site, on land east of Leighton Buzzard, need to dig up the road once again to allow electrical work to take place for the 2,500 homes on the site.

It means more disruption for drivers using the A4012 from Leighton Buzzard to Hockliffe, down the A5, left up to Tebworth, through Toddington, and past The Fancott to the Sundon substation by the M1.

Cllr Versallion said: “[There will be] 24-hour traffic lights all the way.

“We had several months of electric works last year to supply the new development but now the roads will be dug up again, starting January.

“I’m asking hard questions and ensuring the council does all it should to challenge the responsibilities and accountabilities of developers that increase journey times and make a mess of our roads.”

He added: “Many people are already unhappy about the houses being built there, and this just rubs salt into the wounds.

“However, we are where we are, and we now have to minimise the negatives.

“Hopefully they can do it in sections so it won’t be the whole length for the whole time, but we haven’t got the details.”

In a joint statement, the developers Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and David Wilson Homes told the LBO: “The amount of electricity required to support the new homes and associated facilities at Clipstone Park is being delivered in phases, as agreed with UK Power Networks (UKPN).

“The planned roadworks will enable additional capacity to serve power to further new homes and facilities at Clipstone Park, as outlined in the approved planning permission for the development.

“The roadworks will be carried out at the cost of the developers and we would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience they may cause.”

They also pointed out that the upcoming works will also reinforce the local network in Leighton Buzzard, not just that of Clipstone Park.

Central Beds Council has informed the LBO that Power On will be undertaking the work for the consortium of developers for Clipstone Park.

A Central Beds Council spokesman said: “Power On is undertaking electricity network upgrade work, which is likely to start in January, for the consortium of developers for Clipstone Park.

“Two way traffic lights will be put in place in sections of approximately 100m at a time, to install a 33kv electricity cable that must run to the primary station in Chalton to support Power On’s network.

“There will be no cost to the taxpayer for these works. Power On will be charged for any road permits required, all the works and they will also restore road surfaces needed.”