Position Note on Major Transport Proposals Affecting November 2005

NAME DESCRIPTION AND STATUS

Road Schemes

National Projects (Highways Agency (HA)/ Developer led) A421 Bypass Secretary of State approved Orders September 2003. Contractor appointed to do detailed design and construct. Works started and opening September 2006. M1 Widening J6a-J10 Added back to HA programme in 2003. Increases M1 to dual 4-lane. Procedures complete, details published cost £241m. Start of works late 2005 M1 Widening J10-J13 Added back to HA programme in July 2003. Increases M1 to dual 4- lane. Initial proposals at consultation. Start works post 2008. A5 Northern Added to HA programme in July 2003. Needs to be co-ordinated with Bypass A5-M1 M1 and Northern schemes. Additional planning study to test fit with MKSM. Consultation Sept 2005. Start works early 2009. A5 Dunstable Eastern Effectively dropped from national programme, but 1991 preferred route Bypass continues to be protected, subject to outcome of work on Dunstable Northern. Expect safeguarding to be dropped by HA Spring 2006, see below for local scheme. A421 Improvements Added back to HA programme in July 2003 and route investigation work (-M1) underway. Initial consultation complete and Preferred Route announcement made December 2004 and contractor appointed Nov 2005. Orders and Public Inquiry expected in 2006. Start of works 2007/8. A1 Sandy/Beeston Bypass Expected to be considered in the new Regional Transport Board context, with feasibility information based on an update to Multi-Modal Study evaluation. De-Trunking A6 and A428 confirmed in principle in 1998 and completed. Further transfers to follow on existing A421 and bypassed A5 as schemes progressed.

Local Projects (County, Borough Council/Developer led) Bedford Western Bypass Single carriageway scheme funded mainly by development ( A421-A428 Loop and West of ), but with LTP and ODPM/EP contributions. Highways procedures, housing application and legal agreements all underway. Initial works autumn 2005, main contract June 2006 start. Bedford Western Bypass Also development led (land north of Bromham Rd) and connects close A428-A6 to end of A421-428 section and to end of Clapham Bypass. Construction planned after some development implemented. A6 Diversion Development led scheme to facilitate the . Implementation dependent on progress finalising the detail of development planning consents, but anticipated start early 2006. A507 Bypass Local bypass, with Husbourne Crawley bypass included via Mill Road improvement. Provisionally accepted for funding in LTP, although a shortfall in total resources being addressed. Planning application and highways orders approved. Opening envisaged August 2007. Western Bypass Bucks CC led scheme with BCC contribution via LTP. Provisionally accepted for funding in LTP, Public Inquiry completed and approval given. Construction of main scheme started autumn 2005 for opening 2007/8. Luton Northern Bypass (M1- Confirmed as supported by Secretary of State July 2003 (subject to A6 and A6-A505) environmental concerns). Linked to development strategy for the area, and following a successful bid to ODPM, study to review routes underway. Implementation process and timing uncertain.

9/14/c Eastern Relief Development led scheme included in local plan, with planning Road application determined May 2004., subject to planning agreements. Luton East Corridor Proposal to upgrade existing route from M1 to Airport. In LTP and provisionally approved. Planning application revised to avoid impacts on Luton Hoo. Public Inquiry completed, awaiting Inspector’s report. Funding now anticipated through ODPM and opening 2008. Subsequent scheme to improve M1 J10a anticipated. Dunstable Northern Link Mentioned in Multi-Modal studies but not included in Government Road decision July 2003. Dunstable Northern Bypass expected to make passive provision for the scheme. Initial feasibility study anticipated to explore need, and may seek to safeguard part of existing A5 eastern bypass. Luton Town Centre Scheme to remove traffic from the town centre by improving circulation to the north. Programmed to start 2009. A421 Improvements to MK Joint feasibility study into improving the A421 west of the M1 into . Initial technical work and consultation informed LTP2 submission. LTP2 bid anticipated.

Rail Schemes Thameslink Programme Capacity improvements in to allow current Thameslink services to fan out north and south. Procedures still ongoing, with implementation expected post 2008. Main infrastructure change in Beds will be platform extensions (MML). East West Rail (EWR) EWR Consortium and SRA promoting Western Section (Oxford- Bedford). ODPM study identified in MKSM strategy and now exploring funding and delivery implications. No progress on Bedford-Cambridge section. Wixams Station (Elstow) Studies into feasibility and deliverability by developer ongoing, in discussion with local authorities and DfT. Developer contribution determined and ODPM contribution being sought through Community Infrastructure Fund.

Bus Schemes Translink Guided bus scheme using disused rail line between Luton and Dunstable. Transport and Works Act application made December 2003 following LTP funding acceptance. Public Inquiry ended July 2005 and awaiting Inspector’s report. Anticipated opening 2009.

Schemes included above are generally those costing over £5m where evaluation/promotion work is underway. Other longer-term schemes are being considered in principle for the Regional Spatial Strategy but not listed above.

9/15/c