A509 Lay-by, Emberton

11.28.00pm GMT Tue 1st Jan 2008

Some years ago, Milton Keynes Council closed off the old part of the A509 adjacent to Emberton Park which had formerly been used as an unofficial lay-by. The closure came about following a request from Emberton Parish Council, who were concerned about the number of accidents involving vehicles entering and leaving the lay-by and also the level of crimes involving the theft of items from motor vehicles parked there. At the time, the speed limit on the A509 was 60 mph, with many vehicles noticeably exceeding it. The speed limit was later reduced to 40 mph, again as a result of a request from Emberton Parish Council. This led to a number of questions about the feasibility of opening up the lay-by for parking again, given that the speed of vehicles on the main road was now much reduced.

The matter was discussed briefly at a meeting of the Milton Keynes North East Area Forum in Weston Underwood on Wednesday 5th December. Delegates were advised that the Emberton Park Steering Group, which includes Councillor Sam Potts and the two Milton Keynes Councillors for Olney ward along with parish councillors, is looking into the feasibility of short-term parking within the park and it was agreed to await the outcome of the group's deliberations.