Major road improvement schemes

As the sub-national transport body for the region, England's Economic Heartland (EEN) is tasked with preparing the region’s advice to government in respect of investment priorities for the MRN, along with the large local major schemes.

Investment priorities for the first five year programme (2020-25) were submitted in July 2019.

The MRN is the country’s busiest and most economically important local authority ‘A’ roads. A specific new funding stream is dedicated to improvements on MRN roads. The MRN was classified following a government consultation in 2018.

In May 2019, EEHs partners submitted scheme proposals for consideration for the first five year programme. Following a review process, EEH is submitting 11 schemes to the Department for Transport.

Schemes being proposed are not ranked or in competition with each other, they have been reviewed on their own individual merits for inclusion in the regional programme.

They will be considered by the Department for Transport for a funding decision later this year.

Traffic modelling (which demonstrates how a highways junction or network will cope with specific levels of demand) suggests the current roundabout layouts will be operating over capacity in the coming years.

Based on the modelling, the proposal is to convert three of the four roundabouts (Kimpton Road, Crawley Green Road and Hitchin Road/Stopsley Way) to signalised junctions which will be designed to reduce traffic congestion.

The proposed junctions will not only assist with tackling congestion and reducing delays but also provide increased safety for all road users and prioritising more sustainable modes of transport.

Modelling suggests that the Eaton Green roundabout can be retained with minor adjustments required to the road layout.

The proposals aim to create a better environment for all road users, encouraging more people to travel by bicycle and on foot. We are suggesting new segregated cycle lanes and footpaths along Vauxhall Way with safer controlled crossing facilities for cyclists and pedestrians at the main junctions. The cycle route will connect with the following:

• Kimpton Road
• Parkway Station
• National Cycle Route 6
• Housing Development near Cockernhoe
• Turners Road North and South
• Active Luton Sports Village

Modelling identifies further benefits from the widening of Vauxhall Way. The additional capacity gained from the added lanes will help reduce queue lengths and allow greater flow of traffic to pass through the junctions.

The additional lanes also provide an opportunity at a later date to deliver a dedicated sustainable traffic lane i.e. bus or electric vehicle lane etc. The proposal is to provide a dual carriageway with two lanes in each direction and a central reservation along Vauxhall Way.

The proposal for Vauxhall Way aims to improve safety along the whole route. We are looking to enforce speed limits and provide separation between the directions of vehicle movement with a central reservation. We also aim to introduce safer crossings and street lighting for increased security at night.

The proposal is to remove footbridges and underpasses along Vauxhall Way in favour of controlled crossings.

The proposals for Vauxhall Way will aim to provide facilities along the corridor such as Variable Message Signs providing real time journey information to drivers, traffic and air monitoring units.

A green wall has been proposed adjacent to the southern section of Vauxhall Way, introducing a variety of interesting plant species. The proposals also include roadside planting of wild flowers and trees to mitigate the impact of potential tree removal and benefit the area aesthetically. This will encourage biodiversity as well as help to reduce noise and improve air quality.

We are also proposing sustainable drainage features which would contribute to a greener, more environmentally friendly way of managing storm water and flood risk.

The council proposes to mitigate noise and pollution through design via the choice of materials used when constructing the carriageway as well as strategic planting of trees to reduce noise and improve air quality. The proposed junctions and additional carriageway space along with the enforced speed limits will promote a steadier flow of traffic through the corridor reducing a build-up in traffic reducing the associated impact of noise and pollution.

It is perceived that roundabouts provide more capacity than signalised junctions. Traffic modelling (which demonstrates how a highways junction or network will cope with specific levels of demand) suggests that the current roundabout layouts will be operating over capacity in the coming years, resulting in increased delays on the network. Therefore mitigating works are required to tackle this. The council is proposing to install signalised junctions that have been designed to cater for the increased levels of traffic. Signalised junctions will also provide increased safety for all road users providing for cyclists and pedestrians as well as enabling the council to prioritise for more sustainable means of transport.

Junctions are not suitable for carrying out a ‘U-turn’ manoeuvres. It is advised that you plan your journeys in advance to ensure you are able to reach your destination safely. Each junction will be assessed individual with regards to traffic movements. If a genuine reason is required at any of the junctions, the council will investigate how to manage this situation on a case by case basis. If you feel that at any of the proposed junctions will restrict your current journey, please notify us and provide details via the consultation exercise.