Sky-Diving Councillor Dies

Cllr Ros Williams, a Houghton Regis Town councillor for Tithe Farm has died. She was 75.

Cllr. Ros Williams passed away over the weekend. An inquest will be held later. Ros represented the Tithe Farm ward. She will be remembered particularly for her enthusiastic support for greater provision for the youth in the Town and in holding the police to account. 

Two years ago Ros was badly injured while taking part in a sky-jump to raise funds for a skatepark now constructed at Tithe Farm recreation ground. Above, she is pictured presenting a cheque to Houghton Youth Experience towards their funds.

David Hill, a former mayor of Houghton Regis "Ros was a valuable asset to the Town Council, she loved Houghton Regis and took her role as a Councillor very seriously. She had her own down-to-earth style of putting her views across and cared very much about people. After her skydive achievement, she became somewhat of a local personality, she supported and attended many Council functions and was recognised around the Town, she will be sadly missed."

David Jones, Liberal Democrat Group Leader: "Ros became a Town Councillor at the May 2007 elections. She quickly made her mark, particularly in her enthusiastic support for greater provision for youth in the Town and in holding the police to account. She spoke as she found, even if she did not always have her facts straight. And she had pluck - who could forget her parachute jump two years ago to raise funds for the skatepark, which went so unfortunately wrong for her?! "

Peter Williams, local branch chairman, Liberal Democrats, ""I was so shocked to hear this news, it was not long ago we celebrated her birthday, and I will have lovely memories of the evening, of recent she was trying to get about unaided, she will be sorely missed. I am so sorry. "

Photo: D. Hill.

---

Click Here for More Houghton Regis Notes

---

BusWay - A Question over Contracts

My MP, Andrew Selous, is apparently upset that Luton Borough Council won't give him contract details of the contract between them and BAM to build a £90 million busway between Luton and Houghton Regis.

If foul play is suspected over the timing of the signing of contracts, then I think Andrew Selous is right to pursue the issue. If the purpose is to get the contract cancelled in the hope that money saved will be directly shifted to constructing the A5-M1 link road, then I think the hope is naive.

Given that the busway construction has been funded, and is scheduled to be completed in 2012, I think we should accept it as a fait accompli. So, we should concentrate on doing what we can to promote the benefits of the scheme.

It will certainly be of use to people living in Houghton Regis, either directly, by improving journey times (and a smoother ride), or indirectly, by reducing congestion between Houghton Regis and other destinations during peak times.

The busway will, for the first time, be able to potentially offer Houghton Regis a direct bus service to Luton Airport.

I have FOI evidence from Luton Borough Council that 125,000 potential passengers will live within a 400m walk of one of the 250 bus stops that will be upgraded and will be served by a bus that will use the busway for some or all of their journey.

I accept that for many types of drivers, it will be difficult for them to be persuaded to use the bus, but those extra that do will reduce the travel times experienced by all users during present peak times.

But, I still need to be convinced that the bus operators are doing enough to understand the journeys that people currently make. I am sure they will want to maximise their passenger numbers and make their businesses succeed and will undertake the necessary research to make that possible.

---

Click Here for More Houghton Regis Notes

---