Aspley Hill, Woburn Sands and Sandy Lane, Aspley Heath - Temporary Prohibition of Traffic and Proposed Experimental Variation Order

ROAD TRAFFIC REGULATION ACT 1984 - SECTION 14(1)
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
(ASPLEY HILL, WOBURN SANDS)
(TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF TRAFFIC) ORDER 2025

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Central Bedfordshire Council intends not less than seven days from the date of this Notice to make an Order the effect of which will be to prohibit any vehicle, except a vehicle being used for fire, police or ambulance purposes in an emergency, from proceeding along the length of Aspley Hill, Woburn Sands outside number 9.

This temporary closure is required to enable flood prevention works to take place and shall apply to such extent as may from time to time be indicated by the appropriate traffic signs. Where possible access will be maintained to property and premises but may be restricted from time to time according to local signing.

It is expected that the works will take place from 4 to 5 September 2025 between the hours of 9am and 3:30pm. The road will be closed at all times during this period.

The alternative route for this closure is via C94, A507, B5704, Woburn Road and vice versa.

The Order will come into operation on 4 September 2025 for a period of eighteen months or until the proposed works have been completed, as detailed above, whichever is the earlier.

For further information please contact Highways Helpdesk – 0300 300 8049.

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL
(PROHIBITION OF MOTOR VEHICLES)
(BOAT.NO 33, SANDY LANE, ASPLEY HEATH)
PROPOSED EXPERIMENTAL VARIATION ORDER 2025

Notice is hereby given that Central Bedfordshire Council intends to vary the below named Experimental Order under Section 9, Part IV of Schedule 9 and Paragraph 27 of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and all other enabling powers, after consultation with the Chief Officer of the Police in accordance with Part III and Schedule 9 to the Act.

Order to be amended:

Central Bedfordshire Council Prohibition of Motor Vehicles (BOAT. No 33, Sandy Lane, Aspley Heath)

Proposed Experimental Order 2025

Effect of the Experimental Variation Order:-

To add an exemption to the Prohibition of Motor Vehicles on the following length of road in Aspley Heath:-

1.  Sandy Lane (BOAT 33), from the crossroads at Aspley Heath Lodge where Bridleway No. 4 meets Byway No.33 and extending in a south-westerly direction for approximately 687 metres (ending at the county boundary).

The exemptions to be added will be for the following;

• Invalid Carriages

Reason for Original Experimental Order: The decision was been made to propose to prohibit all motorised vehicles in order to address inappropriate usage of Sandy Lane Byway. Reported inappropriate usage includes anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, racing and use of the Byway by unsuitable vehicles which have consequently damaged the road surface. The Prohibition of Motor Vehicles will prevent all motorised vehicles from using the Byway and this will be enforced using a coded gate and bollards.

Implementing this as an Experimental Order will enable the Council to monitor the scheme to assess it’s impact on addressing the anti-social behavior and its impact on the wider local area, and modify or remove it at any time should the need arise.

Reason for Variation to Experimental Order: It has been brought to our attention that invalid carriages can be mechanically propelled so by prohibiting all mechanically propelled vehicles we may be preventing some disabled users from legitimately accessing the byway.

Comments - Any comments should be sent in writing FAO Emily Hirst at the address below or by e-mailing highways.consultation@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 4th September 2025. Any objections must be in writing and state the grounds on which they are made.

All objections must quote unique reference number TRO-030.

Central Bedfordshire Council                                                  Gary Powell
Priory House                                                                Assistant Director
Chicksands                                                                             Highways
Shefford SG17 5TQ

14 August 2025