A5 To M1 Link Gets Approval

22 October 2012, 16:00

The A5-M1 link has finally been given the thumbs up by the government.

The Secretaries of State for Transport and Communities Local Government has accepted the recommendation that the Dunstable Northern Bypass should be built and the Secretary of State for Transport is committed to building the road as quickly as possible.

A final decision is only dependent on the developers contributing £45 million and Central Bedfordshire Council £5 million. Both of these contributions are thought to be on track to be made.

South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous said “This is wonderful news for the whole of South West Bedfordshire. Traffic jams will be greatly reduced in Dunstable and Houghton Regis and villages like Totternhoe, Kensworth and Toddington will see much less through traffic. Leighton Buzzard and Linslade will get fast direct access to the M1 and the whole motorway network, which will help business growth in the town and Aylesbury will also benefit."

Mr Selous called for the bypass to be built in his maiden speech in 2001 and shortly afterwards presented a 25,000 signature petition to Parliament requesting the road be built. Alistair Darling announced the road would be built in 2003. 

Work is due to start in 2014. Power lines need to be moved next summer when demand is lower, before work can begin.