Central Bedfordshire Council are proposing to close access for motor vehicles to Hillside Road, off Mayfield Road in Dunstable. See Map.

Their reason as stated in the Public Notice: "Reason for proposal: Central Bedfordshire Council want to sever the route at the junction with Mayfield Road to prevent rat running from Church Street (A505) to High Street South (A5183) rather than using
the main purpose built roadways and to alleviate the stress and problem traffic further down the route off the Downs Road area where vehicles try to reach Great Northern Rd. This will enhance the overall feel of the area for residents and greatly reduce the vehicle usage through the housing areas and then splintering off to other unsuitable side roads."

See the plans

I strongly object to this as a resident of Downside for the following reasons:

• Effectively Downside is being "cut off" from using local roads. There is no benefit to Downside residents for this road to be closed.
• Emergency vehicle access will be affected.
• Trade at our local shops and the delivery service of the local pharmacy will be affected detrimentally (I've spoken to them).
• This will potentially cause dangerous and difficult driving conditions for drivers turning RIGHT onto the A5 from Half Moon Lane (currently some residents prefer to use the traffic lights at Mayfield and feel safer). 
• This will cause congestion, and additional air pollution in Downside.
• Local school traffic will also be affected.
• If the A5 becomes exceptionally busy, which it frequently does, this will have a knock on effect for the whole area of Downside. 
• It's not solving the traffic problems in Dunstable, just pushing them elsewhere

You can email your comments to traffic.consultation@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk quoting ref A00075 by 21 April.

Please also sign this petition and I will send it to the council and our local MP.

Thank you for your support!