Junction 10A - changes from this weekend

A reminder that a new road layout becomes operation tonight, and there will be road closures over the weekend.

8pm, Friday 27 February

New road layout will be in operation from 8pm Friday 27 February and this information is not yet available on current mapping. Please follow the direction/diversion signs and ensure you stay within the speed limit.

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M1 Spur Road and New Airport Way (A1081)

Full closure, eastbound carriageway (heading to airport), no exiting M1 at J10

Description: M1 between Junction 10 and Junction 10a and New Airport Way between Kidney Wood roundabout and Capability Green will be closed for the whole weekend.
Closes: 8pm, Friday 27 February
Opens: 6am, Monday 2 March
Delays: Likely

London Road, north and south of Kidney Wood roundabout, Luton and Central Bedfordshire

Description: Diverting traffic through new underpass involving:

• two-way lights (09:30am to 3:30pm) at location of new road tie in (near Junction 10a roundabout)
• three-way traffic lights (at all times) at the new road tie-in just north of the junction of Newlands Road and London Road

Starts: Friday 27 February
Finishes: Monday 22 March
Delays: Likely
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M1 Spur Road

Partial closure, both carriageways

Description: Night time closures in both directions for central reserve work.
Time: 8pm to 6am
Date: Monday 2 March to Friday 27 March
Delays: Likely

Further details are available here.

Police appeal for witnesses following fatal collision

Taken from ringmaster / Safer Beds Community messaging:

Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal collision between a Nissan Micra and an HGV in Whipsnade Road, Kensworth, at around 8.30am this morning (17 February).

The incident occurred opposite the Dunstable Downs visitor centre and officers closed the road; the road was reopened at around 12.55pm.  The driver of the Nissan Micra, a 30-year-old man from London, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. The lorry driver received minor injuries and was treated at the scene.  The victim’s next of kin have been notified and the police are currently supporting them with specially trained officers.

PC Andy Ralph, from the Forensic Collision Investigation Unit, said:  “Our thoughts are with those concerned this morning and their families. A full investigation is taking place and I would ask any witnesses to contact us with any information.”

If you have any information please call PC Ralph on 101 or text 07786 200011.

Solar proposals on Beds/Herts border

A company called Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd are investigating the possibility of installing a solar farm at Lawrence End Park, a site which sits partly in North Hertfordshire and partly within the parish of Hyde in Central Bedfordshire.

There will be an open evening to look further at the proposals and put questions to the representatives; it is due to be held at the village hall in Peter's Green, 5:30PM until 8PM on Monday 02 March 2015.

Ongoing works at M1 Junction 10A

You will have noticed that the works to redesign the junction are now quite advanced; there will be more road closures or restrictions over the coming weeks.  Full details are available from Luton Borough Council (who are managing the scheme) here.

Local road users should be especially aware that the new link roads and underpass will soon start to be brought into operation so, in addition to the existing restrictions, be prepared to be diverted onto new routes which may be less familiar to you.

Aerial shot of the ongoing works, courtesy of Luton Borough Council

Crime figures for January 2015

CBC Highways - stats for January

January 2015 saw a 70% increase in emergency street lighting repairs compared to December 2014.  A spike in demand for emergency repairs is common in the winter months, but the maintenance team aim to resolve all urgent enquiries within 24 hours (and indeed are currently managing to do so).

Ongoing improvements in Dunstable

Insider Media press release Nov-14

There has been talk for a while now of impending changes at the White Lion Retail Park in Dunstable, and it is now very much looking like things are going to happen.

Central Beds Council have been keen to work with site owners, retailers and the local Town Council to make the town an attractive place to do business in.

Luton On Sunday 15-Feb-14

(click on either clipping to enlarge)

These changes make Dunstable a more attractive place to shop whilst simultaneously opening up job opportunities; that can only be good for the town itself and also neighbouring rural communities like Caddington and Kensworth who are only a short car drive or bus ride away from these facilities.  In time, the new A5/M1 link road will also remove a lot of the traffic that currently passes through Dunstable Town Centre.

We also look forward to welcoming BBC Three Counties to their new base in Dunstable in the near future when they vacate their old home in Hastings Street, Luton.

Twilight at the Museums

Picture taken from University of Cambridge advertising

I apologise for promoting an event a little distance away from south-west Bedforshire, but Cambridge is only an hour away (or less) by car and, as this event is scheduled during half-term, a visit is a realistic proposition.

Cambridge is obviously famed for its university, but also contains some fascinating and well-stocked museums.  This is an annual event where many of the museums open to the public in the late afternoon and early evening, and a lot of the exhibitions are designed to be experienced under torchlight.  It is also suitable for just about all ages so it's a great night out for the kids.  Further details are available here.