“"Bury Park is an important part of Luton, but we know there are long-standing concerns about congestion, road safety and parking. We need to act on these issues and make the area safer and easier to get around. At the same time, we have listened carefully to the concerns raised by local businesses. They are an important part of Bury Park and we need to properly understand the potential impact of any changes before deciding whether a red route is the right approach. That is why we are taking forward the measures we can implement now, while commissioning independent work to understand the wider economic impact. We want Bury Park to be safer and less congested, but we also want it to remain a thriving place for local businesses. We also completely understand the concerns about parking. The 120 spaces already secured at Luton Town Football Club are an important addition, but we recognise there is more to do and will continue looking for opportunities to provide additional parking in the area. Our focus is on getting the balance right: making Bury Park safer, tackling congestion and improving the experience for residents, businesses, visitors and everyone who uses the area."
Luton Council Advances Bury Park Traffic and Safety Measures
New initiatives aim to reduce congestion and improve road safety, with further study on a potential red route's business impact.
By Rebecca Flint
••3 min read
AI
Street scene in Bury Park, Luton, with traffic management measures.
Luton Council is proceeding with a series of measures to enhance road safety, alleviate congestion, and address parking challenges in Bury Park.
The council is moving forward with plans to improve road safety, reduce congestion, and tackle parking problems in Bury Park. These measures are being implemented while further work is conducted to assess the potential impact of a red route on local businesses. Bury Park has historically faced issues with congestion, road safety, and inappropriate parking, with concerns repeatedly raised by residents, businesses, and other local stakeholders over many years.
The council is committed to addressing these long-standing issues and enhancing the area for all who live, work, shop, and visit. Following a change in administration, the council’s Executive has approved the introduction of measures that can be implemented without a red route. These include improving pedestrian safety by clearing parked vehicles around formal crossing points, introducing footway parking restrictions to ensure pavements remain clear and accessible, and extending loading bay hours with increased maximum stay times to offer businesses greater flexibility.
Further actions involve working with bus operators to review bus stop locations and their contribution to congestion, increasing parking enforcement subject to available resources, and continuing to explore opportunities for additional parking in the area. The council is also collaborating with bus operators to investigate the feasibility of increasing the use of low-emission vehicles within Bury Park.
Luton Council has already made 120 additional public parking spaces available at Luton Town Football Club on Hazelbury Crescent, accessible except on match days and the day prior. Officers will continue to seek further opportunities to increase parking provision, acknowledging the concerns about availability raised by residents and businesses.
An independent economic impact assessment will be commissioned to better understand the potential costs and benefits of the proposed traffic improvements, including the impact of a red route on local businesses. This assessment is expected to take approximately three months, with a subsequent report due to the Executive early in the new year.
The council will maintain engagement with residents, businesses, and other stakeholders as the work progresses. These measures follow extensive consultation and engagement conducted in 2025, which involved residents, businesses, faith groups, emergency services, transport operators, and other stakeholders, identifying significant concerns regarding congestion, road safety, and parking in the area.
Based on information from the official source: Luton Borough Council (06/10/2026)
