M1 to A6 link road

We are planning to build a new strategic road to create a northern Luton bypass - running from the A6 road to junction 11a of the M1, connecting with the A5 to M1 link road.

The new M1 to A6 link road will be 2.75 miles (4.4km) long with a dual carriageway at Sundon Park, and then a single carriageway connecting to the A6.

The road supports our priorities to enhance Central Bedfordshire by delivering improved infrastructure that will open up opportunities for employment, leisure activities and housing.

Our Development Management Committee agreed the planning application back in September 2019 subject to a decision from the Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government and Communities. He chose not to intervene, and we were subsequently given the go ahead for the link road.

The planned link road that will connect the A6 and M1 aims to:

• ease congestion: by relieving some congestion in Luton and ease traffic through local village, such as Lower Sundon, Upper Sundon and Streatley
• improve access: by improving access to Houghton Regis, Leighton Linslade, Dunstable and London Luton Airport
• create jobs: it will make the area more attractive to businesses. In particular, it will provide opportunities for businesses in aerospace, engineering and logistics to be located near to the airport, M1 road and Midland Mainline rail
• support new homes: it will be critical to support the proposed new local homes on the northern edge of Luton

The route

Open full size map image

The above map shows the proposed new link road route, including junctions.

Rights of way

The map also shows the proposed new and enhanced footpaths, bridleways, and cycleways.

These include a cycleway connection to route 6 of the National Cycleway Network (NCN6); improvements to the Theetway; better links to Holt Wood and to Sundon chalk quarry County Wildlife Site; and paths that could form part of our ambition to create a cycle route from Luton to Bedford.

Download the footpaths and bridleways map (PDF 3.5MB)

Protecting the environment

We want to limit the impact of this new link road on the environment as much as possible. This includes the impact on local wildlife and the visual beauty of the area.

We've done a number of studies and surveys to limit the link road's impact, these included:

• protected species (such as bats and great crested newts)
• landscape and visual impact
• public rights of way
• noise reduction
• flood risk

These studies and surveys will allow us to assess any environmental impacts of the new link road and inform mitigating actions to reduce the impact.

The results will form part of our Environmental Impact Assessment.

The M1 to A6 link road has been supported by South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) with a Local Growth Fund allocation of £32.75 million.

Due to the size of the investment, the Department for Transport will have final approval. Further private developer funding will provide the remaining finances.

Our Development Management Committee agreed to recommend the planning application for the proposed M1 to A6 link road to the Secretary of State in September 2019.

The Secretary of State for Housing, Local Government and Communities. He chose not to intervene as it is a significant infrastructure development and it is development in the green belt.

Development in green belt is permitted in very special circumstances where the benefits outweigh the harm to the openness of the green belt. Instead, the decision was left to us and we gave the scheme the final go ahead.

View the planning documents online, (reference CB/19/00887/FULL)

For more information, and further details of the M1 to A6 link road, including the full business case submitted to the Department for Transport (DfT) see below:

View full business case documents for the M1 to A6 link road