Luton residents are facing heavy morning traffic following the completion of a road junction project at New Bedford Road, Kingsdown Avenue and Austin Road in Luton, Bedfordshire. Luton Council finished the work on 9 March 2026 to turn the junction into a Cycle Optimised Protected Signals (CYCLOPS), crossing, making crossings safer for people walking and cycling.
Drivers have reported that the new traffic light layout is causing significant backups during the morning rush hour. Some commuters using the Spotted: Luton community page say that queues now reach as far back as the BP petrol station on Barton Road.
According to Highways Industry, the project was designed to encourage more residents to travel on foot or by bike. The council stated that the changes are part of a wider plan to reduce pollution and create a healthier environment in the town.
The local authority is now looking for feedback from the community to see how the new junction layout works in practice. While the project aims to improve safety, many road users remain concerned about the increased travel times into the town centre.
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