ROADWORKS to make sure Houghton Regis High Street can cope with increased traffic from the new Morrisons superstore will start next month.
Signs have gone up in the town telling motorists to expect delays when 20 weeks of roadworks get started on July 2.
But a Central Bedfordshire Council spokesman said yesterday that the works had now been postponed until after July 9, when the Olympic torch relay passes through Dunstable.
The changes are being funded by Morrisons as a condition of their planning consent for the new store, which is due to open in August.
The main changes will be the installation of small roundabouts at the main entrance and also at two junctions along Houghton Road, which are currently controlled by pedestrian crossings. New bus stops will also be created.
Existing traffic lights in the vicinity of the roadworks will be switched off until the work is complete, a spokeperson said.
Councillor Brian Spurr, responsible for Sustainable Communities at the council, said: “Roadworks are being planned to minimise disruption as far as possible.
“The section of road in question is wide enough for three vehicles and so it will be possible to keep two-way traffic running and most of the work will take place overnight. No diversions will be necessary.
“The roadworks have been delayed until after the Olympic torch relay has gone through Dunstable on July 9. “Notices about the roadworks will be updated to reflect the later start date.”
Motorists can expect congestion this weekend when Poynters Road closes for resurfacing.
The road will be closed from 8am on Saturday (June 30) until 6pm on Sunday, July 1, for the whole length of the road to be resurfaced.
And work on the Luton Dunstable Busway will mean a significant road closure in Dunstable next month.
Station Road from its junction with Church Street to the entrance to Stokers Close will be closed from July 10 to July 27.
