Roads Minister Baroness Vere has announced £32.7 million of funding that will enable a vital link road reducing congestion, journey times and ultimately improving road safety and air quality. In addition, the new link will look to level up the community creating 3,600 new homes and 2,800 jobs.

Roads Minister Baroness Vere said,

Residents in Bedfordshire deserve quicker and easier journeys and I know many have been frustrated by poor east-west connections north of Luton.

That’s why I’m pleased to be backing the new link road, which will support the construction of new homes and jobs, drastically improve accessibility, and make the area more attractive to new business.

Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council, Councillor Richard Wenham, said,

We are delighted to have secured funding from the Department for Transport for this key new link road, which will deliver improved east-west connectivity across Central Bedfordshire and the wider area and facilitate the delivery of up to 3,600 new homes and a rail Freight Interchange, which are important in meeting a wider housing need and strengthening our economic offer.

Notably, it’s not just motorists that will benefit from this new scheme, with the project looking to contribute towards the wider Net Zero by 2050 aim through a 3-metre-wide active travel path on the south side of the link.

Construction looks to commence in January 2022, with completion pencilled in for January 2024.

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