Death threats reported in red route row

60 minutes ago

Martin HeathBedfordshire political reporter

News image — The scheme mainly affected Bury Park Road, Leagrave Road and Dunstable Road

Holly Nichols/BBC A busy high street lined with shops and restaurants, with steady traffic moving along a two-lane road. Storefront signs include Bundu Khan, Deejay Hair & Beauty, Lifestyle and BK Restaurant. Cars queue along the street while pedestrians walk on the wide pavement beneath mature trees. Streetlights and banners line the road, and the scene is set under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. — The scheme mainly affected Bury Park Road, Leagrave Road and Dunstable Road

People have received death threats in a row over new traffic restrictions, according to a Luton councillor.

Luton Borough Council is planning an 18-month trial of a red route in Bury Park, which would involve a ban on street parking and loading.

Labour's Alia Khan told Thursday's full council meeting that there had been "death threats" and an "abhorrent social media campaign" against the move, which left some feeling "unsafe".

Councillors voted to refer the plan back to the executive committee for reconsideration.

The trial would mean painting double red lines on main roads with fines for parking, loading and waiting.

More parking spaces would be provided, including 120 at Luton Town Football Club, and the maximum stay in disabled parking bays would be increased to 90 minutes.

Some changes were made to the proposals following a consultation, but many people remain unhappy.

Martin Heath/BBC Alia Khan wearing a black top with a floral pattern stands in the foreground of a residential street lined with red-brick terraced houses. A small red hatchback car is parked along the kerb behind her, while wheelie bins and a few pedestrians are visible further down the road. The scene is photographed in daylight, with the person in sharp focus against a softly blurred background of houses, parked vehicles and pavement. — Labour's Alia Khan said there had been an "abhorrent" social media campaign against the red route plan

Khan, the Labour cabinet member for housing, told Thursday's meeting: "I'm sick and tired of how dirty it's got."

She said "people have had death threats" and urged fellow councillors to keep the debate "respectful."

Liberal Democrat councillor Lee Bridgen said there was no place for personal abuse.

He said: "We all went to the trouble of campaigning to be elected to represent our local communities and whether we agree with our opposition or not, we're all doing it for the best possible reasons."

David Franks with short grey hair and a grey beard stands on a residential street wearing a purple and maroon striped polo shirt. The image is framed as a close portrait, with detached and semi-detached houses, parked cars, hedges and trees softly blurred in the background. The photograph was taken outdoors under a cloudy sky, with Franks in sharp focus against the suburban streetscape behind. — Independent councillor David Franks said there was no evidence of the economic impact of the scheme

Speaking to the BBC, independent councillor David Franks said he had seen "no evidence" that the council had "done any study into the economic impact of double red lines".

He said: "Bury Park shopping centre is vibrant, it's busy and there is a big fear that the red route system is going to change that and that would be a real shame."

Javeria Hussain wearing glasses, a dark blazer and a light blue striped shirt sits in a bright indoor setting. A small microphone is clipped to the blazer lapel. She is seated in a vivid yellow chair, with additional yellow seating and a softly blurred office or meeting space visible in the background. The image is framed as a close-up portrait with warm indoor lighting. — Javeria Hussain, the cabinet member for public realm, said the ruling Labour group had tried to balance competing needs

Javeria Hussain, the cabinet member for public realm, said stakeholders had been consulted in an extensive consultation.

She said: "We are still speaking to everyone who has an important stake in Bury Park.

"But it's about balancing the needs of the residents that actually live there against the various stakeholders, which is why we took a decision to tackle safety concerns and also those around congestion."

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