Plans for the Woodside Link road are progressing well after Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive gave the green light.

Plans for the Woodside Link road are progressing well after Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive gave the green light to submit a planning application for its construction.
The new link road will connect Houghton Regis and the industrial estates in Dunstable to the planned new junction (11a) on the M1 north of the town. After initial work on its design, a planning application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate early in 2013, if required.
Executive Member for Sustainable Communities (Strategic Planning and Economic Development), Cllr Nigel Young, said: “The Woodside Link is a critical piece of new infrastructure, providing an arterial route through the planned new development area north of Houghton Regis, linking with the M1, connecting existing and future employment sites and residential areas to Dunstable, Houghton Regis and the wider transport network.”
By providing a convenient link between the industrial areas and the trunk road network, the road will stimulate further economic investment and will help provide much needed employment and job opportunities for residents throughout the area.
Cllr Young added: “The Woodside Link goes hand in hand with the A5 –M1 link and the detrunking of the A5 which is a fundamental part of our aspirations to regenerate Dunstable town centre.
“Not only that, but it will significantly reduce the number of heavy vehicles in residential streets, reducing noise and improving air quality, as well as freeing up roads for local residents.”
The Executive councillors agreed for an application to go ahead to the Planning Inspectorate, as well as initial work to investigate land acquisition, design costs and funding.
A Framework Plan to guide new development proposed for the north of Houghton Regis was also approved by the Council and provides technical guidance to help determine whether future planning applications are suitable. It identifies the Woodside Link as essential and critical infrastructure required for any development to be delivered, along with the A5 – M1 link road.


Press release from Central Bedfordshire Council

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/news/october-2012/october-2012-news-and-press-releases.aspx