Screens to put residents in the picture

10 October 2007

Leighton Buzzard looks set to benefit from a new sustainable transport scheme, which would see the construction of 1,300 low carbon homes equipped with real-time travel information screens.

The project has moved closer to reality after the Department for Communities and Local Government agreed a £1M cash injection last week. The money completes a £7M public-private package to help deliver Bedfordshire County Council’s proposals to reduce car dependency in part of the town by 20%.

The scheme, in the Billington Road area of Leighton Buzzard, aims to increase public transport use as well as promote walking and cycling alternatives. The project could see 1,300 new homes in the area provided with up-to-date service information.

A real-time screen in kitchens will help residents plan their journeys before they leave home. Other features of the scheme include secure cycle parking for every home, and increased cycle parking in the town centre and railway station; a bus service up to every 15 minutes to the town centre and railway station; and completion of a safe Route to Schools programme. Also included will be ‘civilisation’ of the main link road from the new estate to the town centre along the principles of shared space, making it a safer and more pleasant place to walk and cycle.

Tom Wootton, Bedfordshire’s cabinet member for highways, said: ‘This money will be invested to design new schemes which will give residents a high-quality alternative to using their cars. ‘It will have wider benefits too, as it should help reduce congestion in this old market town and reduce air pollution.’

Victoria Harvey, of South Bedfordshire Friends of the Earth, which helped develop the project, said: ‘This exemplar scheme will show that a low carbon transport system not only improves quality of life for all in Leighton Buzzard, but also revitalises the town centre.’

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