More than 15k penalty notices handed out in town

A consultation is under way over plans to reduce congestion and improve safety in Bury Park, including in Dunstable Road (pictured)

More than 15,000 penalty charge notices have been issued in one of the busiest parts of a town over the course of 12 months, according to a council.

Luton Borough Council said the demand to keep traffic moving is one of the biggest challenges in the Bury Park area, which is home to small businesses, communities and places of worship.

The authority is looking at ways to tackle the issue, including fines for parking on double red lines and adding extra loading bays and disabled spaces.

Javed Hussain, deputy leader of the Labour-led authority, said: "Increasing pressures on the road network have led to more congestion, unsafe and indiscriminate parking, and reduced pedestrian safety."

The authority said 15,395 penalty charge notices (PCNs) were issued in the Beech Hill ward, which includes Bury Park, between 1 October 2024 and 30 Sept 2025.

So far 10,314 have been paid, but the "payment rate is likely to increase over time as those currently unpaid notices go through the statutory process".

Four officers are deployed to the area six days a week, said Hussain.

"To help us tackle this problem, we're proposing a range of trial and permanent safety and traffic measures to reduce congestion and create a safer more accessible environment," he added.

If approved, the scheme will stop people parking on double red lines to keep the traffic moving and ease congestion

The authority said the proposals "are focused on better enforcement against illegal parking, easing congestion, and making the area safer for everyone".

The key measures include trialling red routes along Leagrave Road, Dunstable Road and Bury Park Road to cut congestion and also to prevent illegal parking.

Hussain said a one-way system along Kenilworth Road would better manage traffic flows.

He said the red routes were clearly marked with double red lines and signage and would be in place for an 18-month trial period.

"These restrictions prohibit stopping, parking or loading at any time to ensure traffic keeps moving," he added.

"Designated parking and loading bays will remain available along the route."

A consultation on the authority's proposals is due to close on 9 November.