The latest phase of changes to Heath Road in Leighton Buzzard will provide significant benefits for residents, making it easier to travel on foot or by bike to schools, play areas, and other local facilities and this will support their health and wellbeing.

Research shows that if residents can manage 10 minutes of physical activity a day, like walking or cycling, it has substantial benefits for heart health and reduces the risk of cancer.

Starting on Monday 6 March, Central Bedfordshire Council will narrow the carriageway and widen the footway between Kemsley Drive and Heath Park Road to create a safer route for active travel.

The project, endorsed by residents during the consultation, forms part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainability, tackling climate change, and supporting residents to live more active lives.

The reduced width of the carriageway will also help manage traffic speeds on a straight section of road that serves two popular local lower schools.

Cllr Steven Dixon, Executive Member for Sustainability and Public Protection, said: “We are proactively planning and delivering more dedicated cycling and walking routes to further enhance active travel options for residents across Central Bedfordshire.  On occasion, this will involve rethinking how to best use the available space within the highway, especially around the schools.

“By providing direct and easy-to-use routes like this one on Heath Road in Leighton Buzzard we are encouraging more people to leave their cars at home and make cycling and walking their first choice for many local journeys. The government has set a target that 50% of local trips in our towns should be walked, scooted, or cycled by 2030, which we endorse.

“Sustainable active travel offers significant benefits for our health and wellbeing and has a positive impact on our environment as we strive to reduce carbon emissions and play our part in addressing the climate change crisis.”

The Council secured funding from the second round of the Government’s Active Travel Fund for the scheme and is working with Sustrans on plans for further ambitious walking and cycling improvements.

It will take the Council’s contractor Milestone Infrastructure about four months to complete the work and traffic management arrangements will be in place in the form of traffic signals.

The Council recently carried out community engagement to gather the views of residents on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans. The feedback received is helping the Council refine its proposals for a much-enhanced cycling and walking network in Leighton Linslade and other communities across Central Bedfordshire.

There is more information on how the Council is embracing sustainability and responding to the climate challenge at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/be-green