Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Giving back Dunstable's High Street

Friday, 7 May 2021

Monday (10 May 2021) sees the launch of the next phase of works to improve Dunstable’s High Street.

Over the last 18 months, we've been making improvements to Middle Row, Ashton Square, High Street South and Queensway, including improving the drainage to reduce the risk of flooding which the area has been prone to in the past.

The aim has been to create a more pleasant, safe and attractive High Street area, reducing the sense of vehicles dominating the road, giving greater priority to pedestrians and cyclists and improving accessibility between and within different parts of the town centre.

Thanks to funding support from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership with an allocation from the Local Growth Fund, the most significant phase of works begin on Monday 10 May and continue until the spring of 2021. High Street North will be remodelled, the traffic light timings will be changed and a four-way crossing will be installed at Church Street, West Street and Dunstable High Street.

The initial three weeks of works will include lane closures for kerb line works around High Street North and Queensway at the Junction of West Street and Church Street. From 21 to 24 May there will be a road closure due to an installation of drainage at the junction of High Street North / South and West Street / Church Street. Then, from 14 June for approximately three weeks, there will be a pedestrian guard rail on High Street North for footway works.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, our Executive Member for Community Services said:

It’s an exciting time for Dunstable High Street. Shopping in the town centre is no longer just about the ‘butcher, baker and candlestick maker’, people want a pleasant experience with a social aspect. We will be creating an environment which will encourage residents and workers to spend more time in their town centre and support local businesses.

The High Street improvements are just one of many investments we've been making to improve Dunstable, including the new leisure centre and library at the Dunstable Centre, new Creasey Park facilities and the new Integrated Health and Care Hub that we are about to start building.

Like any major regeneration programme, there will inevitably be some inconvenience. Signage will be displayed to give notice over the weekend and there will be regular communications in and around the area to keep people informed of temporary road and lane closures. Thank you for your patience and understanding over the coming months as we strive to minimise any disruption for local people.

Find out more about our work on Dunstable High Street.