Pocket Parks – The Lea Project

After years of being buried below Luton Town centre, part of the River Lea has been re-exposed by a hard-working team of people from Ryebridge Construction ltd; who picked up the job soon after plans had been established by the Luton 2040 team.

If you had asked around a few years ago, you’d find that most locals throughout Luton Town were completely unaware of this part of the River Lea running directly under the town centre! This is to no surprise, as that section of the river had been completely built over many decades ago; as the town itself began expanding and developing into the Luton we know today.

A plan to open up the buried part of the River Lea began in late 2020, with the main project beginning in March 2022; and although it’s not yet open to the public we are now properly beginning to see the full vision come to life! Before any work had begun in the area, it was nothing but an old, dingy car park with not much to look at – not ideal when Bute Street is one of the main routes used by commuters heading to and from the Luton train station. 

The “Open Lea Project” has been part of Luton’s 2040 vision, in hopes of improving the town and making it a better place for everyone who lives here! This phase of the project has received £958k of funding from the England European Regional Development Fund. Considering the success of this brand new project, there is hope that in the near future there will be a possibility of opening up more ‘Pocket Parks’ across Luton Town centre; in order to create more green spaces, and a much more vibrant and healthy environment for our community.

Not only will this create a more welcoming environment for visitors, it should help to provide a more open, natural and child friendly area for those who live and work in town.