Travelling Sustainably in Leighton Buzzard
As a resident of Southern Leighton Buzzard you have access to a range of sustainable travel options, all of which offer fast, efficient routes in the town centre. Click on the links below for more information.
Rail Services in Leighton Buzzard
Buses
There are a number of bus routes that go to all areas of the town, that are easily interchangeable at the main bus stop in the High Street. As a resident of Southern Leighton Buzzard there are two very useful bus services for you to utilise.
The Dash Direct service (provided for by the Southern Leighton Buzzard Steering Group) operates every 30 minutes, taking you directly to the town centre and the railway station. Equipped with Real-Time Passenger Information on the bus and at a number of the bus shelters, you can easily find out when the next bus is due at your stop. Not only does this service operate via the town centre and railway station, but it also stops outside the Learning Warehouse on Grovebury Road. To help you on your way, the timetable and map for the Dash Direct bus service is shown on the Dash Direct page.
The second service is the number 36 which can take you to Morrisons, the town centre, canal towpath walks, Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre, Cedars School and the residential areas of Linslade.
The following bus services will take you to most of the surrounding towns and villages, including direct services to Milton Keynes, Aylesbury, Dunstable and Luton. Full timetable information for each of these services can be found at www.travelinesoutheast.org.uk.
| 10/10A | High Street, Heath and Reach, Stockgrove Park, Woburn, Ridgmont, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes (8 a day, Mon-Sat) |
| 27 | Railway Station, Heath and Reach (commuters mornings/evenings, weekdays) |
| 32 | High Street to Weston Avenue, Brooklands (School), Meadow Way (Youth Club) (half-hourly, Mon-Sat) |
| 33 | High Street, Weston Avenue, Meadow Way, Appenine Way (half-hourly, Mon-Sat) |
| 34 | High Street, Meadow Way, Appenine Way, Clarence Road (half-hourly, Mon-Sat) |
| 35 | High Street, Clarence Road, Appenine Way, Meadow Way (half-hourly, Mon-Sat) |
| 36A | High Street, Tescos, Golden Riddy, Rail Station, Knaves Hill, Grasmere Way, Chelsea Green, Cedars Way, Cedars School, Tescos, High Street, Morrisons, Billington Park (hourly Mon - Fri) |
| 36c | High Street, Tescos, Finch Crescent, Chelsea Green, Grasmere Way, Knaves Hill, Railway Station, Golden Riddy, Tescos, High Street, Morrisons, Billington Park (hourly Mon -Fri) |
| 49 Connect | Railway Station, High Street, Eggington, Hockliffe, Dunstable, Woburn, Woburn Sands, Ridgmont, Brogborough, Wootton, Bedford |
| 69 | Railway Station, High Street, Eggington, Hockliffe, Dunstable, Luton (hourly) |
| 70 | Milton Keynes, Bletchley, Leighton, Stanbridge, Dunstable, Luton (hourly) |
| 73 | Railway Station, High Street, Billington, Eaton Bray, Totternhoe (3 a day) |
| 139 | High Street, Hockliffe, Milton Bryan, Eversholt, Woburn, Aspley Guise |
| 150 | Aylesbury, Wing, Leighton Buzzard, Heath and Reach, Milton Keynes (hourly) |
| 160/165 | High Street, Woburn, Ridgmont, Stewartby, Bedford |
| 162 | High Street to villages south and north of Leighton Buzzard including Northall, Edlesborough, Slapton, Ivinghoe Aston, Soulbury, Stewkley, Brickhill |
| 164 | High Street to villages south of Leighton Buzzard including Slapton, Horton, Cheddington, Ivinghoe, Marsworth, Tring and Aston Clinton |
| 165 | High Street, Wing, Wingrave, Aston Abbotts, Cublington, Aylesbury |
| 167 | High Street to villages south of Leighton Buzzard including Ledburn, Mentmore, Marsworth, Ivinghoe |
Milton Keynes: 10, 10A, 70, 150 - at least once an hour.
Heath and Reach: 10, 10A, 150 - at least once an hour.
Dunstable/Luton (inc Hospital): 69, 70 - two an hour.
Aylesbury: 150, 165 - at least once an hour.
"Buzzer" buses: a door-to-door transport service specially designed for people who are less abled and find it difficult to use normal buses also operate throughout the town, offering transport within a 5 mile radius of Leighton Buzzard, Monday to Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm. For more information about this service please call 01525 853 566.
Dash Direct Bus Service
To help you explore Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area without the need for using your car, we have provided a new high quality, high frequency bus service "Dash Direct" for you to access the range of shops and services within Leighton Buzzard town centre and the railway station allowing you to travel throughout the national rail network.
Your very own Dash Direct Service!
These buses provide a reliable, comfortable, safe and friendly service into the town centre. Bus stops are be equipped with real-time passenger information, so you always know when the next bus is on its way.
Why worry about whether there will be a parking space in the town or at the station Why not just "Take the Bus and lose the fuss!"
The new Dash Direct (D1) service was launched on Tuesday 20th April 2010, with a number of launch campaigns running on Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd April 2010. The service currently operates at a 30 minute frequency from 05:54 to 22:00, Monday to Friday and 06:40 to 19:00 on Saturdays.
Additional stops have been installed along the route, making it easier for you to catch the Dash Direct service. These are positioned at the following locations:
- * Johnson Drive (near Draper Way - on Sandhills development)
- Chartmoor Road (near Eden Way)
- Chartmoor Road (northwest end)
- Grovebury Road (near Learning Warehouse)
- * Lake Street (The Sun Inn for Morrisons)
- Lake Street (southbound near Library)
- Billington Road (near The Maltings)
- Billington Road (near Narrowgauge Railway)
The stops marked * will be equipped with Real Time Bus Information
If you are a commuter to the station, the Dash Direct service will take just 12 minutes. If you also currently drive and park at the station, you can save yourself a fortune by using the new Dash Direct service! A day return ticket will cost you £2.50 compared to £6.50 to park at the station, plus you have the additional cost of petrol and the wear and tear on your car to consider! For more details of the bus service please keep an eye on this website and your local newspaper for continual updates.
For savings and fares information, please visit the Dash Direct page.
To help you plan your Bus, Train and Cycle journeys, why not visit www.transportdirect.info or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.
For any further information, please contact:
Email: tpc@slb.uk.com
Online: www.arrivabus.co.uk
Dash Direct Bus Service Timetable
To help you on your way, the timetable for the Dash Direct bus service is shown on the Dash Direct page or you can download a PDF version of Dash Direct timetable.
Substantial savings on your bus tickets can be made by using PlusBus. Why not have a look at what benefits PlusBus can offer you by clicking here.
Bus Routes Map
To view and print your own printable Bus Routes Map, identifying all the bus routes operating throughout the town, please click on the image below.
PlusBus Bus Pass
PlusBus is a discounted bus pass that allows you to buy your bus and train tickets at the same time. This gives you unlimited bus travel around town, at the start, finished or both ends of your journey.
You can buy your PlusBus tickets at the ticket office and Leighton Buzzard Station, by phone or online.
PlusBus also offers the following benefits:
- save time - buy tickets together for your complete journey
- great value - exclusive, discount price bus travel
- save money - Railcard holders get one-third off!
- go anywhere - unlimited bus travel around all of town
- save hassle - no need to keep change for 'exact fare' buses
- it's more flexible - travel on all participating buses.
Why not save some time and money now by calling 08457 000 125 or visiting www.PlusBus.info
For bus routes, rail times and journey planning, try the following:
- Traveline
www.traveline.info
Call: 0871 200 22 33 - National Rail Enquiries
www.nationalrail.co.uk
Call: 08457 48 49 50
Rail Services in Leighton Buzzard
Train travel from Leighton Buzzard Railway Station provides a fast option to get directly into London (only 32 minutes), as well as local services. Travelling via Milton Keynes, you can also connect to the west coast mainline, linking with all other parts of the country including Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.
Leighton Buzzard Railway Station is less than 2 miles away from Southern Leighton Buzzard and is easily accessible on the Dash Direct bus service provided for you. There is also ample cycle parking for those who are more energetic. Cycling or Walking via Chartmoor Road, along the old railway track to Cedars Way, then via Wing Road and Waterloo Road can be cycled in just 10 minutes and walked in little over 30 minutes. Why not incorporate walking or cycling into your next train journey!
Using the Dash Direct bus service, walking or cycling to the station will also save you money, with a daily car parking ticket costing £6.50 and an annual ticket over £700.00!
To help plan your journey by public transport and for more information about train times, please take a moment to click on the link below which provides the latest timetable information and route maps for you to print. Alternatively you could contact your local train operator by visiting www.londonmidland.com.
When you're out and about, you can also call TrainTracker on 0871 200 49 50 for timetable information or text LBZ to 84950.
For more information on travelling to and from the station, visit the Get On Track website at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/Getontrack. Get On Track aim to help people get to Leighton Buzzard Station quicker and more efficiently. For more information on Get On Track and how to access the station; please visit the aforementioned website.
To buy tickets for train travel anywhere in the UK, and for more information on your local train operator, London Midland, call 0844 811 0133 or visit www.londonmidland.com. You can also buy your tickets at the station ticket office.Below are a number of other phone numbers you might find useful when planning your journey by train:
- For Ticket Sales Call - 0870 5125 240
- For details of Station Parking and opening times, please go to www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/lbz/details.html (These details can be sent directly to your phone)
- For Cycle, Bus and Train journeys visit - www.transportdirect.info or call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33
- For more timetable information, please visit www.londonmidland.com/your-journey/timetables
- For any other enquiries call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50
While we're talking about rail travel, some little-known useful tips for outings are:
- Direct trains run from Leighton Buzzard to Kensington Olympia, Brompton (for Science Museum and Natural History Museum), and Clapham Junction;
- A branch line runs from Bletchley (one stop north of Leighton Buzzard) to Bedford with lots of interesting stops on the way (Woburn Sands and the Marston Vale Forest Centre);
- London Midland Trains offer book-ahead one-way tickets to places such as Birmingham, Stoke, Stafford and Crewe for only £5!
Rail Timetable
Leighton Buzzard Railway Station is easily accessible by using the new Dash Direct Bus Service, which runs at 30 minute intervals. To help you make the entire journey by public transport we have ensured that the Dash Direct bus timetable links with train arrival and departure times so there's no need to take the car and park it at the station all day! Not only will this help reduce congestion and reduce CO2 emissions, but it will also save you money.
Download Rail Timetable PDFs below:
- Northampton - Wolverton - Milton Keynes - Bletchley - Leighton Buzzard - London download here
- Bletchley - Bedford download here
- Birmingham - Rugby - Northampton - London download here
Rail Map
To view and print your own printable Rail Map, identifying all rail routes, please click on the image below.
Station Travel Plan
Station Travel Plans are an initiative launched by the government in the Rail White Paper: Delivering a Sustainable Railway (2007). The concept builds upon practice that has long been established in Workplace and Residential Travel Planning. Station Travel Plans can best be described as means of managing travel demand between a railway station and the community it serves.
This is achieved through the promotion of measures that aim to tackle local transport related issues such as congestion, and on-street parking, plus the environmental impacts of station travel.
A variety of measures, most notably improving infrastructure and services for non-car modes (e.g. cycle parking) and encouraging people to use these modes through better car park management and promotion are proposed to reduce the impact of rail passengers on the surrounding road network.
As a result of the White paper, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), with the support of the Department for Transport (DfT), has set up the National Pilot Station Travel Plan Programme. The purpose of this 3-year programme is to encourage rail passengers to travel to and from the station in a more sustainable manner.
Leighton Buzzard was selected by Bedfordshire County Council as being a good prospective pilot station due to its location within the urban area, the towns Cycle Town status and based upon the local commitment to sustainable transport.
The Station Travel Plan contains 11 key objectives, each aimed at transferring Leighton Buzzard station into an effective transport interchange facility, with high quality sustainable transport facilities and services which are well used. The objectives are:
- To achieve a modal shift away from single car occupancy travel as a means of travelling to and from Leighton Buzzard Station;
- To assist in achieving a reduction in both local and regional traffic congestion by securing a modal shift away from single car occupancy travel to and from the station, and by achieving an increase in the number of people travelling by train;
- To achieve an increase in the number of people travelling to and from Leighton Buzzard by train;
- To assist in achieving a reduction in Leighton-Linslade s overall carbon footprint by achieving a reduction of the average carbon footprint of passengers using Leighton Buzzard station;
- To achieve a significantly improved level of bus interchange at Leighton Buzzard station by improving both bus facilities and services;
- To contribute towards Healthy Town objectives by developing walking as a safe, convenient means of travelling to and from Leighton Buzzard station, particularly on short journeys;
- To work with Go-Cycle to achieve a significant increase in people cycling to and from Leighton Buzzard station, and to make the station a best practice example for catering for the needs of cyclists;
- To manage car travel to and from Leighton Buzzard station in a way that achieves a reduction in commuter parking on local roads, as well as increasing the use of vehicles with lower CO emissions and increasing the number of station users car sharing;
- To achieve and increase in the awareness of opportunities to travel to and from Leighton Buzzard station by non-single occupancy car through marketing and publicity initiatives;
- To identify barriers, both actual and perceptual, that prevent people accessing Leighton Buzzard station, and to tackle them; and
- To achieve an improved level of satisfaction with station facilities, including sustainable transport infrastructure.
For further details about the Station Travel Plan, the aims and key measures for achieving these aims, please click here.
Cycling
Cycling is a great way to improve your health, fitness and energy levels. Throughout Leighton Buzzard and the surrounding area there are many attractive cycle routes available; whether you are looking for a direct route to the town centre or railway station, or just a nice quiet cycle in the country, a range of cycling options are right on your doorstep.
There are also a number of nearby countryside cycleways, which are easily accessible. Why not take a moment to look at the printable cycle map below for details of picturesque cycle routes and great days out for all the family.
To help promote cycling throughout Southern Leighton Buzzard, we previously formed a close relationship with GoCycle. GoCycle were set up by Leighton Linslade Town Council as a result of a successful bid to become a Cycle Town. Whilst this initiative has now stopped, Central Bedfordshire Council still promotes cycling throughout the town the Southern Leighton Buzzard Steering Group are still focused on getting people to cycle rather than use their car where possible.
Please click for your FREE route map and just fill in our feedback form if you would like more information on cycling and the benefits it can have.
GoCycle made a number of investments in cycle infrastructure throughout the town, including cycle parking stands and off-road cycle routes.
To help you on your way why not click on the link below to download your own copy of the town cycle map. This map also identifies local bus stops and fun days out.
Why not try cycling to work/clubs/bus stops or even to the railway station. There are plenty of cycle parking spaces available in the town centre and at the station so you know your bike will be safe and secure until you return. More cycling tips can also be found at www.bikeforall.net.
Bicycle Security
Did you know...
A bike is stolen every 71 seconds in the UK. To help you keep your bike safe, ImmobiTags are available. These easy to fit tags are embedded into the bike frame, making it almost impossible to remove. ImmobiTag is linked to all UK Police forces, protecting your bike for life.
What is ImmobiTag?
ImmobiTag is a radio frequency identification device (RFID), designed specifically to be embedded into a bike's frame. Each tag contains a unique serial number that can be read by the Police, making the bike, registered owner's details and the bike's status viewable directly on their systems.
For more information or to purchase your own tag, visit www.immobitag.com/uk.
Bike Stamp Scheme
To reward you for making the decision to cycle, GoCycle also run a voucher stamp scheme through the "Bank of Free Wheeling!"
For each journey made by cycle to one of the designated 'cycle stops' you receive a stamp in your book. Each time you collect 3 stamps, you can call in to the GoCycle Offices at the White House on Hockliffe Road to receive a free cycling gift from the GoCycle team.
Destinations include:
- Page's Park
- Leighton Buzzard Garden Centre, Hockliffe Road
- Leighton Buzzard Library
- The Grove Lock or The Globe pubs
- Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre
- Stockgrove Country Park
- The White House, Hockliffe Road
- The Town Centre - Barringtons Cafe, Barista Bay, Room No.9, Absolutely Fabulous, Latte Heaven or All Saints Church Cafe
- Your local School
- You can also choose your own cycle journey and create your own stamp!
For more information and to obtain your own Cycle Voucher Book, call GoCycle on 01525 635 111 or visit www.gocycleleightonlinslade.org.
Tax-Free Cycle Purchase
The government is promoting a tax-free scheme called Cycle to Work where an employee can get exclusive use of a brand new bike and accessories at a discount of up to 50% on the price they would pay in a bike shop. Any UK employer can take part.
Under a Cycle to Work scheme, your employer buys the bike and loans it to you to get to and from work, or to use in your work. You pay for the benefit through a salary sacrifice arrangement, where an agreed sum is taken out of you salary for a set period, often 12 months. At the end of this time who will almost certainly be offered the opportunity to buy the bike for a nominal sum. Add up the figures and the total is much less that you would have had to pay if you had bought the bike yourself.
The GoCycle Team can advise your employer on how to set up a scheme and if they don't want to set it up themselves there are companies can do all the work for them.
Further details are available on the Cycle Loan Scheme webpage or by contacting the GoCycle team on 01525 635 111.
Cycle Route Maps
To help you discover the surrounding area by cycle, why not download one of these printable cycle maps to help plan your route.
Cycling in Leighton Linslade: A comprehensive town map of Leighton Linslade highlighting all the key cycling routes along with many suggested low traffic routes and all local footpaths - download a PDF here.
Leisure routes: 6 carefully selected leisure routes for a range of abilities from family through serious distance cyclists to the hardcore off-roader - download a PDF here.
Walking
Leighton Buzzard is small enough such that most places can be reached by a 30 minute walk. Not only is it a healthy and sociable way to travel, it's also free! The town centre is only 20 minutes walk from Southern Leighton Buzzard via Billington Road and Lake Street, with Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre on 25 minutes via the Grovebury Industrial Park.
Leighton Buzzard Railway Station can also be accessed by foot in less than 30 minutes! There are also a number of local walks to explore your new environment and local history. To help you on your way, please download one of the printable travel maps below or look inside your Residents Information Pack for more information.
If you wish to take a slightly longer walk, you can also purchase more detailed Ordnance Survey Maps from the Buzzard Bookshop. Further details of some lovely days out in the countryside can be found by clicking on the Days Out link.
Why not take a moment to look at the various walking and cycling route maps below.Walking Route Maps
The Greensand Ridge Walk - Leighton Buzzard to Woburn map - download a PDF here
Journey Planner
Transport Direct offers information for door-to-door travel for both public transport and cycle journeys throughout the UK. The site provides easy-to-use information to help you plan your journeys effectively and efficiently.
To plan your bus, rail or cycle journeys please visit www.transportdirect.info.
The site also:
- Compares public transport options with a car route to find a way of travelling which best suits your needs.
- Obtains a car route that takes into account predicted traffic levels at different times of the day so that you can make informed decisions about when to travel.
- Get an estimate of the cost of a car journey.
- Buy train and coach tickets from our affiliated retail sites without having to re-enter your details.
- Use PDAs and mobile phones using the latest browser technology (WAP2.0) over a GPRS or a 3G connection to find out departure and arrival times for railway stations throughout Britain and for some bus or coach stops.
- Calculate CO2 emissions for a car or public transport for a specified journey.
"Connecting People to Places"
You can also check live travel news, which provides details of delays/incidents on the roads or public transport network that might affect your journey. Live travel news
Planned roadworks and public transport engineering works are also identified.
Why not visit the live departure boards page. This will provide you with real time information for Buses, Trams, and Tube in London plus the National Rail Network.
Taxi Services Contact Details
To ensure we provide you with details of all your transport options, below are details of the various taxi firms operating within Leighton Buzzard. If you need to make a journey by taxi (to the railway station for example), why not share with someone else.
It will save you money and help to reduce your carbon footprint!!
| A.1. (Steve's) and D&R Taxis Tel: 01525 377 77 Vehicles: 13 Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
Leighton Taxis Tel: 01525 854 545 Vehicles: 7 Operational: 24 hours, 7days |
| Abacus Cars Tel: 01525 378 500 Vehicles: 5 Operational: 5.30am - 1am, 7 days |
Prestige Taxis Tel: 01525 852 113 Vehicles: 5 Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
| Dialacar Taxis Tel: 01525 850 605 Vehicles: 4 Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
Buzzard Airport Transfers Tel: 01525 631 008 Vehicles: 6 minibuses, 2 people carriers Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
| Diamond Cabs Tel: 01525 371 666 Vehicles: 10 Operational: From 6am weekdays, 24 hours at weekends |
www.Easy-Limos.co.uk Tel: 0800 043 9347 Vehicles: 6 Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
| D Burgin Tel: 01525 372 131 Operational: 5.30am - 1am, 7 days |
Elite Fleet Cars (Chauffeur services) Tel: 01525 984 930 Vehicles: 11 Operational: 24 hours, 7 days |
