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| Red line = new road to be constructed, to take A5 traffic to the M1, diverting it away from Dunstable. |
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| Complex layout for connecting Sundon Road and the A5 bypass road to the new M1 Junction 11A |
Environmental Impact
In a document highlighting Environmental impact, Highways Agency said that three historic building assets and two bridges would be potentially affected by the Scheme:
- Thorngreen House, a late 19th century dwelling with 20th century extensions. Set within a defined garden with mature vegetation along the boundaries.
- Grove Farm, a 19th century farm complex consisting of the main house, stables and barns. The house and stables are of yellow brick construction with the barn of more traditional timber construction. The building is currently in use as a livery business with modern outbuildings to the south.
- Chalton Cross Farm, an 18-19th century farmhouse set within a farm complex. The house is constructed from rendered brick and is set within its own grounds with clearly defined boundaries of dense vegetation.
- Houghton Regis Overbridge, a two-span overbridge carrying Sundon Road. Iron railings surmount the parapet and a crash barrier has been added to both sides.
- Chalton Overbridge, a two span overbridge carrying Luton Road from Chalton toward Houghton Regis and Sundon to the east. Iron grilles are attached to the inside of the parapet and a crash barrier has been added to each side.
The report also mentioned affected archaeological sites, identified as a Bronze Age pit, Thorn Baptists Burial Ground, Bronze Age ditches, Thorn Spring medieval moated site and water channels (following mitigation the Scheme would have a Slight Adverse effect on the Thorn Spring Ancient Woodland.
), medieval settlement north of Calcutt, Iron Age settlement, linear features, field boundaries late Iron Age
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| Table 7.10 from A5-M1 Link Chapter 7: Download |
Objections file 2012
Objectors letters were available to read online at http://www.persona.uk.com/A5dunstable/OBJ_docs/ - These documents have since gone from there, but may be available at gov.uk
Here is a sample:
Light pollution; and pedestrian access.
Network Rail - operational railway land adversely affected.
Doug Dix - wants access to J11a for Chalton.
Comments on detrunking. http://www.persona.uk.com/A5dunstable/OBJ_docs/OBJ-04.pdf
Peter Cole, an ex-lorry driver, argues that fuel costs will mean lorry drivers will NOT divert to use the Northern Bypass and instead will continue to seek to drive through Dunstable as that is the shorter route to J9 from Milton Keynes.
Alison Williams from Chalton argues that the people of Chalton will not have any access to Junction 11a and so it won't benefit them, yet some of their residents will be losing their homes.
Elizabeth Morris from Chalton expresses her concern that heavy goods traffic will still be travelling through Chalton.
The St Albans Diocesan Board of Finance, are freeholder owners of agricultural land expected to be used for house building in the north of Houghton Regis. They are concerned:
- that the plan not to connect Sundon Road to the Link Road will increase development costs and lead to a loss of land south of the Link Road that could be used more beneficially for development.
- that the nature of the compulsory purchase of parts of the Ouzel Brook.
- about excessive acquisition of their land on the north side of the brook.
- their loss of control over and under public rights of way on their land, once it becomes owned by the Highways Agency.
- and would prefer to see ecological mitigation works to be located to the north side of the Link Road.
- about matters relating to electricity cables, road drainage, drainage routes, and noise mitigation, which they feel may reduce the amount of land left to develop new homes on.
Mr T. Coles from Chalton argues for Chalton to be connected to J11A.
EDF Energy argue that "No alternative land, rights and apparatus for those proposed to be acquired and/or temporarily used ... are in place."
Owners of Long Meadow Farmhouse are concerned about noise, and light disturbance; the lack of a Highways Agency plan to recompense them for a brick wall; and the lack of a plan to recompense them for the loss of some outbuildings and their use as business assets.
The owner of Thorn Farm objects on the grounds of impact to business; lack of noise mitigation measures; concern of turning area for agricultral machinery on a proposed road; noise impact to commercial property; worries about fly-tipping.
Mr Buckingham, at Griffin Farm has concerns over the proposed use of nearby land plots. http://www.persona.uk.com/A5dunstable/OBJ_docs/OBJ-13.pdf
John Campbell argues that A5-A5 Bypass is always going to be needed, and A5-M1 would be a waste of finance.
The owner of Chapel Farm (chickens and livestock) argues that the lack of noise mitigation will affect his ability to farm profitably.
Kevin Cutler is a concerned villager who does not want to live in a concrete jungle, and objects as the A5-M1 link road would just encourage a new outer ring road for Luton.
Sustrans objects on the grounds that future walking and cycling routes are not protected; wants an additional crossing for the motorway and railway; proposes investment in TravelSmart could reduce car traffic by 14%.
Mrs Kitchen, Chalton. Concern over noise mitigation being too long to become a reality; creation of a dead-end road for fly-tippers; request for 30mph on the new Luton road.
Chalton Parish Council aant access to J11a from Chalton for residents, and for HGVs from Vauxhall Spare Parts; lack of clarity as to how pedestrians would move from one side of Chalton to the Sundon Road side on foot.
David Bough, Chalton, - concern over security on access driveway; concern over noise from J11a slipway.
Ronald Pearce, Chalton; Wants access to J11a for HGVs from Vauxhall Spare Parts.
Grove Farm; objects to track alterations, bridge location, and acquisition of some land that could be covered by rights of way.
M J Shanley, land leased to them at Chalton. Objects as no provision for access to land by BOAT (Byway Open to All Traffic) http://www.persona.uk.com/A5dunstable/OBJ_docs/OBJ-23.pdf
Neil Fraser, acting for clients, argues that the HA are proposing to take more land than they need, and what they will take will impact on the owner's enjoyment of the remaining land.
Chalton residents are concerned about health, noise, devaluation of property.
The movement of a bridge to access fields either side of the Link Road would increase farmer's fuel consumption.
AXA Sun-Life Plc (land holdings north of Houghton Regis) -"It is important that the road scheme / J11A make satisfactory provision for local access to be provided for the Houghton Regis urban extension and the Woodside Connection."; argue for a stub road to be constructed at J11a for the Woodside connection to be added on later; concerns over mitigation of noise for future residents in the Houghton Regis urban extension.; concerned that HA wants to take 10m maintenance strip beyond the extent of the highways, and argues instead for a 3-metre strip; concern over the creation of an ecological pond and other drainage (or potential flooding) issues.
OBJ-30.pdf makes comments about M1 J12, and HS2, comments not likely to be of any concern now.
CPRE - concerned that Woodside Link is only a proposal; a lot of words about light pollution, especially at J11a;
Chalton Parish Council. Repeat of above.
Chalton resident wants access for HGVs at J11a to save Chalton from the lorries.
LIH (land holdings north of Houghton Regis) objections basically go over the same objections made by AXA as above.
Lands Improvements Holdings (LIH) concerns over noise; too much land being taken by HA (10m when 3 metre would do); request for "accommodation" tracks; concern over ecology pond;
Richard Barker - concerns of a practical broader nature about traffic movements.
GM UK & Ireland - argues excessive land take; impact on business during construction work as 120-150 lorries a day will not be able to go as usual through Chalton. Would have preferred a link to J11a for north Luton traffic.
drainage; access to remaining farmland after land take.
High Speed 2 considerations (no longer relevant)
Unfarmable land left over. OBJ-42.pdf
Hertfordshire County Council on the proposal to detrunk the A5 from J9 to the junction with the new Link Road. "insufficient information" to comment. OBJ-43.pdf
Objection from EDF Energy (as above) via the Department of Energy & Climate Change - OBJ-44.pdf
concern over bridleways and provision for them.
Objects to forcing trunk road traffic through Chalton.
As above, different person with simliar complaint.
Chalton Lower School want local connectivity at J11a; 20mph speed restriction in village; 7.5 ton weight restriction in village.
Mike Penn wants local connectivity at J11a for Sundon, Chalton and Toddington Rd, Luton.OBJ-49.pdf
National Grid holding objection, depends on provisions to be made.OBJ-50.pdf
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Date: 28 June 2012 | HIGHWAYS ACT 1980 | ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT 1981 |
Report to the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Communities and Local Government
by David Wildsmith BSc(Hons) MSc CEng MICE FCIHT MRTPI
an Inspector appointed by the Secretaries of State for Transport and for Communities and Local
Government
SUMMARY: This is an article about a report on a proposed bypass around Dunstable, England. It discusses the purpose of the bypass, the different routes considered, and the potential impacts of the bypass. The report recommends that the bypass be built as planned, with some modifications. Some people object to the bypass, arguing that it will cause traffic problems and harm the environment. Others support the bypass, saying that it will relieve traffic congestion and boost the economy.
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Date: 18 October 2012 | Decision letter: A5-M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass | HIGHWAYS ACT 1980
ACQUISITION OF LAND ACT 1981 | A5 – M1 LINK DUNSTABLE NORTHERN BYPASS
SUMMARY: This is an article about a decision on a highway scheme. It discusses the background of the scheme, the Inspector’s recommendations, and the Secretaries of State’s decision. The Secretaries of State approved the scheme with some modifications. They also decided to defer the final decision and publication of the certificate until funding is confirmed.
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Date: 9th July 2014 | The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014 | Legislation
“This Order may be cited as The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014 and shall come into force on 24 July 2014....”
STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS2014 No. 1837HIGHWAYS, ENGLAND
The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014
Made9th July 2014
Coming into force24th July 2014
The Secretary of State for Transport makes this Order in exercise of powers conferred by sections 10 and 41 of the Highways Act 1980(1) and now vested in the Secretary of State(2) and(3):—
1. This Order may be cited as The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014 and shall come into force on 24 July 2014.
2. In this Order—
(1) all measurements of distance are measured along the route of the relevant highway; and
(2) —
(i)“the main new road” means the new highway which the Secretary of State proposes to construct along the route described in Schedule 1 to this Order;
(ii)“the new trunk roads” means the main new road and the slip roads;
(iii)“the plan” means the plan folio numbered HA 10/MP/107 “The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014”, signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport and deposited at Document Deposit Service, Communities and Local Government, Floor 13 (IMD), Ashdown House, St Leonards on Sea, Hastings, East Sussex TN37 7GA; and
(iv)“the slip road” means the new highways which the Secretary of State proposes to construct along the routes described in Schedule 2 to this Order and which connect the main new road with other highways or proposed highways at the places stated in that Schedule.
3. The main new road and the slip road shall become trunk roads from the date when this Order comes into force.
4. The centre line of each of the trunk roads is indicated by a heavy black line on the plan.
5. The Secretary of State directs as respects any part of a highway which crosses the route of any of the new trunk roads that—
(a)where the highway is maintainable at the public expense by a local highway authority, the part in question shall be maintained by that authority, and
(b)where the highway is not so maintainable and is not maintainable under a special enactment or by reason of tenure, enclosure or prescription, the Secretary of State shall be under no duty to maintain the part in question, until, in either case, a date to be specified in a notice given by the Secretary of State to the highway authority for that highway. The date specified will not be later than the date on which the relevant route is opened for traffic.
Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Transport
Iftikhar Mir Divisional Director Highways Agency
9th July 2014
Article 2(2)(i)
SCHEDULE 1
ROUTE OF THE NEW MAIN ROAD
The route of the main new road is about 5.2 kilometres in length, from a point on the plan marked A on the A5 Trunk Road, about 400 metres northwest of the centreline of its junction with Thorn Road at Houghton Regis in the County of Bedfordshire, easterly to a point on the plan marked B, about 250 metres southeast of the centreline of Sundon Road Railway Bridge at Chalton in the County of Bedfordshire.
Article 2(2)(iv)
SCHEDULE 2
ROUTES OF THE SLIP ROAD
The route of the slip road is as follows:
(1) Junction with existing A5(T) at Houghton Regis
A route from the south east bound carriageway of the existing A5(T) to the north east bound carriageway of the main new road which the Secretary of State proposes to construct at Houghton Regis (the slip road along this route being given the number 1 on the plan).
EXPLANATORY NOTE
(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order authorises improvements to the existing A5 Trunk Road and the construction of new lengths of trunk road and slip roads, to provide a dual carriageway between the existing A5 Trunk Road north of Dunstable and the M1 Motorway to the south of Chalton.
The route of the main new road is about 5.2 kilometres in length, from a point on the plan marked A on the A5 Trunk Road, about 400 metres northwest of the centreline of its junction with Thorn Road at Houghton Regis in the County of Bedfordshire, easterly to a point on the plan marked B, about 250 metres southeast of the centreline of Sundon Road Railway Bridge at Chalton in the County of Bedfordshire.
The routes of the slip roads are as follows:
(1) Junction with existing A5(T) at Houghton Regis
A route from the south east bound carriageway of the existing A5(T) to the north east bound carriageway of the main new road which the Secretary of State proposes to construct at Houghton Regis (the slip road along this route being given the number 1 on the plan).
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Date: 3 November 2016 | Meeting: Traffic Management Meeting | Various Roads in Central Bedfordshire
SUMMARY: This is an article about weight limits on roads in Central Bedfordshire. It discusses the proposed implementation of weight limits in three zones. The weight limits are intended to improve road safety and traffic management. They are also expected to reduce noise and air pollution. Some residents and businesses have objected to the weight limits, arguing that they will cause traffic congestion and harm the economy. The council is considering these objections and may make changes to the plans.
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Date: 05 April 2022 | A5-M1 Dunstable | Northern Bypass | One-year post-opening project evaluation |
This report provides an initial indication of the project’s performance after the first year following the opening to traffic in May 2017.
SUMMARY: This is an article about the A5-M1 Dunstable Northern Bypass, a new road built to relieve congestion in Dunstable, England. It discusses the project’s goals, the methods used to evaluate its success, and the findings of that evaluation. The project was successful in reducing traffic on local roads and improving journey times and reliability for road users. However, it is too early to say definitively whether the project has had a significant impact on safety.
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The Dunstable Northern Bypass opened to traffic on Wednesday 10th May 2017. The new route is part of the A5 and provides a fast link to the M1 avoiding Dunstable.
