Bring on the Busway

24 September 2010, 06:00

Work starts this weekend on removing the first in a series of former railway bridges which, for many people, will be the first physical sign of progress on the route.

The first bridge deck to come down will be at the Dunstable Road Bridge in Luton near the Sainsbury's at Bury Park.

Over the next two months another five disused railways decks will be removed as construction work picks up pace.  The removals will take place overnight between 10pm on Fridays through until Sunday evenings.

The 13.4km busway is due to open in 2012 with officials promising it will "revolutionise" public transport in Luton and Dunstable, reducing journey times between Houghton Regis, Luton town centre and the airport by half.

You can see details of the route by clicking here

There had been some concern that the project may be shelved because of reductions in public spending but the new Government confirmed in June this year that the funding would stay in place.

Some of the vegetation near the route was cleared earlier this year but for many people the removal of the bridge decks is the first physical sign of the project coming to life.

Councillor Tom Nicholls from Central Bedfordshire Council said: "The Luton Dunstable Busway will provide us with the viable public transport link that we need between Houghton Regis, Luton town centre and the airport."

The first bridge deck to come down tonight will mean some traffic diversions in the area which are via Hatters Way, Chaul End Lane and Dunstable Road or via Leagrave Road, Woodlands Avenue, Montrose Avenue, New Bedford Road and Telford Way.

Access to the shops and the petrol station will be maintained.

Other bridge removals will then follow on:

  • FRI 1st October: Church Street Bridge, Dunstable
  • FRI 8th October: Skimpot Road Bridge, Luton
  • FRI 22nd October: New bedford Road bridge
  • FRI 29th October: Kingsway Bridge, Luton
  • FRI 12th November: Guildford Street Bridge, Luton

The total cost of the busway project is £89.2 million with £80.3 million coming from Government funding.