New M1 junction 11 name prompts concern in Luton

Luton residents are concerned that the renaming of an M1 junction will increase traffic on an already busy road.

Junction 11 has been labelled Luton (c) pointing drivers into central Luton using the A505 Dunstable Road.

It replaces a sign that used to just indicate Luton. Junction 10 is closer to the town centre but is signed Luton south.

Dunstable Road resident Amreetpal Summan said the sign was "deceiving".

Junction 11 is geographically further from the M1 than Junction 10, and takes a slower route along Dunstable Road and through Bury Park, which can get very congested.

"They [motorists] will have a longer journey and a much busier journey," said Mr Summan.

"It's normally bumper to bumper here, especially in the rush hour so it is also going to be very frustrating for us because we will have many more lorries, cars, more noise and more disturbance and it's unnecessary when they can go a shorter, quicker distance via Junction 10."

'Reduce congestion'

South West Bedfordshire MP Andrew Selous said he would look very carefully at what happened.

"If the Dunstable Road does get very congested then I will certainly make representations to the Highways Agency to see if we can get the signage changed and we will do all we can locally to make sure drivers use the most appropriate route," he said.

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said that the sign change was to help people make the right decision about which junction to use and the wording was agreed with local authorities.

A statement read: "These signs are all part of the M1 J10 to J13 managed motorway scheme, which started in December 2009, to improve capacity, reduce congestion and improve safety".