Billington Road: Why the New Supermarket Plans Work for Everyone

A design that works for everyone: Better paths, safer crossings, and smarter traffic flow for a growing Leighton Buzzard

At Leighton BuzzCycles, we believe that development in our town should work for everyone. Because the revised plans for the Lidl site on Billington Road (CB/25/03665/FULL) now reflect the high standards for safety and accessibility advocated by the community and local authorities alike, we are happy to say that we are no longer objecting to the proposal.

A Collaborative Success for Residents

This new application confirms that our original calls for better infrastructure were part of a wider consensus. It is clear that the developer has listened to a unified voice; many of the critical gaps identified in the previous design were raised not only by us but were also highlighted as essential priorities by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) and the Leighton-Linslade Town Council (LLTC) Planning Committee.

Key Improvements in the New Plan

We are glad to see that the technical requirements set out by the planning authority and the community have been addressed to ensure the site is safer and more accessible for everyone:

• Continuous 3m Wide Shared Paths: Connecting the Theedway junction and Chartmoor Road along Billington Road, and—crucially—extending directly into the site to provide safe, off-road access for shoppers.
• Chartmoor Road Access: The inclusion of dedicated pedestrian access from Chartmoor Road (subject to the necessary approvals), providing a vital link for residents to the north.
• Safer Crossing Distances: The main car park access road has been reduced from three lanes to two, significantly improving pedestrian safety.
• New Pedestrian Refuges: Central refuges have been added to the Lidl access road and Billington Road.
• Secure Cycle Parking: Sheltered stands for 12 bikes are now positioned at the store entrance for maximum security and convenience.

Ensuring Final Safety Standards

While this design is a major step forward, we continue to stand with the Town Council and CBC in calling for a few final refinements to ensure the “safe pedestrian routes” promised are fully realised. Specifically, we remain aligned on the following requirements:

• Mandatory Left-Turn Exit: Restricting exiting vehicular traffic to a left turn to manage flow and improve safety—a point strongly emphasised by the LLTC. Drivers will find it just as easy to access the shop, and this specific measure will allow traffic to flow much more easily. By avoiding the kind of delays and congestion often seen with right turns at Grovebury Retail Park, this design ensures a smoother experience for all road users.
• Formal Zebra Crossings: Upgrading the proposed refuges to full zebra crossings for the internal access road and to serve the Sandhills estate.
• 20mph Extension: Extending the 20mph zone south to the Theedway junction to protect all vulnerable road users.

Moving Forward

Because these revised plans now address the core safety objectives shared by Leighton BuzzCycles, the Town Council, and the Planning Authority, we are satisfied to move forward without further objection. This outcome demonstrates that when the community and local government speak with one voice, it leads to better, safer infrastructure for the whole of Leighton Buzzard.

Full details are available on the CBC planning portal under reference CB/25/03665/FULL.