e-petitions - Reintroduce Buses to Leighton Buzzard High Street on Market Days for a Thriving Local Economy!

We, the undersigned, recognise the immense potential of our vibrant community and firmly believe in harnessing every opportunity to enhance our local economy. It is with this vision in mind that we urge you to support the reintroduction of buses to our high street on market days. Together, we can bring about a positive transformation that will not only increase footfall but also generate numerous benefits for our town and its residents.

Footfall Matters: Let's Multiply the Energy!

By reintroducing buses to our high street on market days, we can create a convenient and accessible transportation system that encourages more people to visit our market and independent businesses. The increased footfall will inject fresh energy into our local businesses, supporting our hardworking independent businesses and helping them thrive. More visitors mean more customers, amplifying sales and fostering economic growth.

A Boost for Local Traders/Retailers: Flourishing Commerce!

Our dedicated market traders and independent retailers work tirelessly to provide quality products and services. However, limited access our high street acts as a barrier, hindering their potential customer base. By reintroducing buses to the high street on market days, we can remove this obstacle and open doors to a wider clientele. More customers mean more sales for our market traders and independent businesses, leading to increased revenue and enhanced job opportunities within our community. Let's empower our local businesses to flourish and secure a brighter future for everyone.

Sustainable Progress: Good for Our Environment!

Reintroducing buses to our high street on market days aligns with our commitment to a sustainable future. By encouraging public transportation, we reduce individual car usage, alleviating traffic congestion and lowering carbon emissions. This eco-friendly approach helps preserve our environment and contributes to the global fight against climate change. Let's take a significant step towards building a greener community while ensuring the prosperity of our local economy.

Together, We Can Make a Difference!

We invite you to add your voice to this crucial cause by signing our petition to reintroduce buses to our high street on market days. Your support will send a clear message to our local authorities, demonstrating the collective will of our community. Together, we can create an inclusive and thriving local economy that benefits residents, traders, and visitors alike.

Sign the Petition Today! Let's revitalise our high street, drive economic growth, and build a brighter future for our town.

Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community and create opportunities that will enrich the lives of everyone. Join us in shaping a better tomorrow by reintroducing buses to Leighton Buzzard high street on market days!

#TransportationRevival #ThrivingEconomy #CommunityUnity

Supporting details

Footfall on market days has dropped drastically, especially for independent businesses, when the weather is awful footfall is non-existent and the market closes early (if it opens at all), sometimes around 12pm and no-one can access the high street by public or any form of transport, so it seems like a bit of waste! Right? Especially as many shops don't close till 5pm or later.

In winter months, and occasionally other times of the year as recently as July this year, when the weather conditions are commonly dreadful the market does not open sometimes or will open but close very early. This has a huge impact on independent and national businesses and reduces their income drastically and is not sustainable for our high street. However, if buses were able to access the high street on market days (one being a Saturday!) the impact would be less.

Retailers do not have the luxury to be able to choose if they open or not or close early as they still have rent to pay, business rates and staff costs. The market traders do not have to pay any fees if the market decides to close. Hence why the residents of Leighton Buzzard are subsidising the market as it is making a net loss of circa £58k per year, with the likelihood these losses will increase. However, by reintroducing buses again the town can attract new market traders and reduce the cost burden on Leighton Buzzard residents.

Recently independent businesses in our town have publicly advised they have lost over 60% of trade on market days, this has only been since buses were stopped on market days. Let's support our independent retailers in any way we can to increase footfall and this will also attract more retailers.

For over 70 years our town has always had buses access the high street on market days and for some reason without a public consultation they have stopped! Why? Who had the right to make this decision without asking the public? This is your chance to have your say and have buses reintroduced to our high street on market days.

If the council also decides to go ahead with developing the towns busiest car park (Duncombe Drive) how then will the remaining visitors to our market and shops be able to access it? No buses and no parking facilities. What next? The likelihood is no market or independent retailers...

Let's inject some life back into our high street on market days and let it thrive once again by signing this petition to reintroduce buses to our high street on market days.

Sign this e-petition