Important update for residents – Bishopscote Road and surrounding area
Traffic changes- Bishopscote Road area
What changes are being made?
We’re introducing new waiting restrictions on a trial basis on Bishopscote Road and at the crossroads twin roundabouts junction of Bishopscote Road with Bristol Road and St Margaret’s Road. These include:
- ‘School Keep Clear’ markings outside the new Denbigh Primary School entrance (Monday to Friday, 8am to 8.30pm)
- ‘No waiting at any time’ on the opposite side of the road
- ‘No waiting at any time’ at the twin roundabouts (Bishopscote/Bristol/St Margaret’s)
View the plan showing where these changes are.
Why are these restrictions needed?
We have made these changes to:
- prevent unsafe and inconsiderate parking
- improve road safety
- make it easier for pedestrians to cross
- protect driver visibility
- keep traffic moving, especially around the temporary Denbigh Primary School site
The scheme is being trialled so we can see how well it works.
What is an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO)?
An ETRO is a temporary order that lets the council try out new restrictions.
During the trial, we monitor how the changes work before deciding if they should stay permanently.
When does the trial start?
The ETRO began on 12 January 2026.
Who has been consulted?
We must consult the police, fire service, ambulance service, and groups that represent road users before introducing an ETRO.
Can residents object to the changes?
Yes, objections may be made to the ETRO being made permanent and must be:
- within six months of the start date or
- within six months of any changes made to the ETRO
We encourage residents to allow the scheme a few weeks to “bed in” before submitting feedback.
How do I make an objection?
If you want to object to the restrictions becoming permanent, please submit your objections in writing to
- Address: Highway Services Manager, Building 14, Central Depot, Kingsway, Luton LU4 8AU
- Email: [email protected] please quote reference EXP/P2267
Will the council monitor the scheme?
Yes we will monitor the restrictions closely, especially in the early weeks, to understand how they affect parking, traffic flow and safety.
What happens after the trial?
After reviewing feedback and monitoring results, we’ll decide whether to:
- make the restrictions permanent
- adjust them
- remove them
Following a recent inspection, essential repairs are needed at Denbigh Primary School to keep the building safe and secure for the future.
To complete the essential repairs, the school building will close from January 2026 and the school will move to a temporary site on Bishopscote Road playing fields until July 2026.
Preparations for the site are already underway to ensure everything is ready for the start of the new school term in January. We fully recognise that construction activity may generate increased traffic and congestion in the area and apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
Marshals will be in place to assist with vehicles entering and exiting the site and, where possible, construction traffic will be limited during school drop off and pick up times. These essential works are due to be completed by late December.
- Email any queries or concerns to [email protected]
- Leave a voicemail message by calling 01582 548451
Relocation of Denbigh Primary School to Bishopscote Road (playing fields) – questions and answers
What works are taking place on Bishopscote Road playing fields?
The site is currently being prepared as a temporary location for Denbigh Primary School.
This includes removal of soil from the site, installing portacabins and other facilities to ensure everything is ready for the start of the new school term.
The school will be on site from January until late July 2026.
When will the works start and end?
Preparations for the site are already underway and due to be completed by late December 2025.
Who is managing the construction on site?
The ground works are being carried out by our contractor, David Nott & Sons Ltd.
What are the hours of operation?
The works will generally occur Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, with the likelihood that working outside of these hours will be required if the weather deteriorates.
Will they be working on the site at weekends?
Yes, weekend works will be likely be required due to a high chance of poor weather slowing down works on site.
Will roads be closed or lanes reduced?
We don’t anticipate any road or lane closures. However, we will have to stop traffic to allow larger vehicles to enter and exit the site. Marshals will be in place to assist with vehicle movements at the site and, where possible, construction traffic will be limited during school drop off and pick up times.
What measures are in place to tackle the increased traffic and congestion these works may generate?
We fully recognise that construction activity may generate increased traffic and congestion in the area. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
Our contractors will have marshals on the road to control traffic flow into and out of the site when any construction traffic is being moved.
Where possible, construction traffic will be limited during school drop off and pick up times.
What measures are in place to control excessive dirt and mud caused by construction vehicles?
We have lorry wheel washes on site to minimise any transfer of mud onto the road and will employ a street sweeping vehicle, as required, if any build up of mud on the road does arise.
How noisy will it be?
Some noise is unavoidable, but our contractors will do their best to minimise noise and limit any particularly loud work to daytime hours. Construction noise will typically come from excavators, generators, plant and lorries.
How is safety being managed?
This is a managed construction site, with a principal contractor managing several sub-contractors as required. All works will be carried out in accordance with a detailed construction management plan.
The site will also have 24-hour security guarding in place to prevent unauthorised access.
When the school opens on the new site in January, this is likely to generate significant increase in traffic. How will this be managed?
We appreciate that you may have concerns about the potential disruption to the area, particularly in relation to traffic and parking when the school opens on the temporary site in January.
However, as Bishopscote Road is only a short distance from the current school, we're optimistic that many families will walk rather than drive to this new location.
We're working with the school to support this, including the potential to operate 'walking buses'. Walking buses may operate where groups of children walk together, under adult supervision, to and from the Denbigh school site to Bishopscote Road, and back.
In addition, to further alleviate traffic congestion, the school has agreed to adjust the start and finish times to avoid overlap with nearby schools. Other options being explored include identifying an on-site drop off area to ease parking in the immediate area.
How can I stay informed about progress or changes?
Updates will be shared on this website (Luton.gov.uk) and via our social media channels.
When will the works on the Bishopscote site finish?
The necessary works are due to be completed by late December 2025.
Who do I contact to raise queries or complaints?
Please email any queries or concerns to [email protected].
Alternatively, you can leave a voicemail message by calling 01582 548451.
Tell us your name, contact number and brief details of your enquiry and a member of our team will return your call as soon as possible.