Leighton–Linslade Government Act 1972 the district was merged into South Bedfordshire in 1974, and was downgraded to a parish. Leighton–Linslade is recognised as a Cycling town by Cycling England, from whom it receives funding to promote cycle use. The parish participates in international town twinning: Leighton–Linslade Leighton–Linslade is a civil parish in the district of Central Bedfordshire in Bedfordshire, England, with a population of 37,469 at the 2011 Census. It consists of the settlements of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade, which have a single town council. The River Ouzel provides the border between the parts, with Leighton to the east and Linslade
Leighton Buzzard railway station and North Western Railway replaced the first station in February 1859 by another more permanent structure located to the south. The new building had an imposing frontage featuring arched windows. Access to the Dunstable branch was controlled by Leighton No. 2 signal box situated to the north of the station, while the actual branch signals were controlled by the main line box to the south. In 1874, land was purchased to the south of the station alongside the Dunstable branch for the construction of goods sidings, which eventually became known as "Wing Yard". The LNWR was absorbed by the London,