Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Friday 31 July 2015
Black Squirrels in Houghton Regis
I suppose people who live there are accustomed to black squirrels, but I think this is the first time I've ever seen them. Two were darting about on this tree that is close to a roof in Dell Close, Houghton Regis when I spotted them this afternoon.
Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Another place to look is 'Rabbit Lane', the cycle/footpath that runs from Cemetery Road to Porz Avenue on the western side of Houghton Hall Park. I've seen one there is November 2016, although it scurried away before I could get my camera ready.
Sunday 26 July 2015
Houghton Regis Cemetery: HRN2 Outline Approved Without Land Identified for Cemetery
I attended the 2-hour debate at CBC on Wednesday this week on whether to allow the outline planning permission for HRN2 in Houghton Regis or not. It was all a forgone conclusion, really. The Conservatives have a huge majority, and none of the 4 councillors representing Houghton Regis, 3 of whom are that rare opposition, even has a vote on the DMC.
Lots of objections were put in. It's in the green belt, the number of allotments doesn't match how many should be provided per household, road safety concerns with the road layout proposal, traffic volumes on Bedford Road, the original proposal for a wildlife visitor hut had been removed, there was a need for a new cemetery in the town and no provision for one. There were nods to some of these, but in the voting, the need to create new housing seemed to take on the majority opinion.
Who knows, maybe some of these concerns will be worked out before the full planning permissions go through? I doubt they all will be. Some of those things needed to have been "set in stone" before the outline was agreed upon. In fact, one of the Tories said as much, and then said he'd still be supporting the outline application. Beggars belief.
So, what are the options for a new cemetery, now? Orchard Close was investigated for its suitability, by the Environment Agency, then dropped due to covenants protecting it for open space for recreational use. The other original choice was Windsor Drive, which might have also been used for allotments, but local opposition is expected there. That site is even closer to the water table, so is less suitable than Orchard Close. That's a big problem for any site within Houghton Regis Parish. The water table. There might just be other plots on the edges of the parish our town councillors might look at, like at Sewell (still in the parish), but environmentally special and sensitive to many people.
With the Town Council having few options left, I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes for the next few years. Perhaps a new approach altogether is needed? After all, a town council does not HAVE to provide a cemetery. But typically, burials in parishes where you are not a resident, are charged THREE times higher than someone who does.
Maybe Central Beds Council needs to start looking to provide a central cemetery? It could be run profitably (as is the Conservative way), if charged correctly, after all, no crematorium runs at a loss.
Lots of objections were put in. It's in the green belt, the number of allotments doesn't match how many should be provided per household, road safety concerns with the road layout proposal, traffic volumes on Bedford Road, the original proposal for a wildlife visitor hut had been removed, there was a need for a new cemetery in the town and no provision for one. There were nods to some of these, but in the voting, the need to create new housing seemed to take on the majority opinion.
Who knows, maybe some of these concerns will be worked out before the full planning permissions go through? I doubt they all will be. Some of those things needed to have been "set in stone" before the outline was agreed upon. In fact, one of the Tories said as much, and then said he'd still be supporting the outline application. Beggars belief.
 |
| If not Orchard Close, and not the HRN2 site, where? |
So, what are the options for a new cemetery, now? Orchard Close was investigated for its suitability, by the Environment Agency, then dropped due to covenants protecting it for open space for recreational use. The other original choice was Windsor Drive, which might have also been used for allotments, but local opposition is expected there. That site is even closer to the water table, so is less suitable than Orchard Close. That's a big problem for any site within Houghton Regis Parish. The water table. There might just be other plots on the edges of the parish our town councillors might look at, like at Sewell (still in the parish), but environmentally special and sensitive to many people.
With the Town Council having few options left, I wouldn't fancy being in their shoes for the next few years. Perhaps a new approach altogether is needed? After all, a town council does not HAVE to provide a cemetery. But typically, burials in parishes where you are not a resident, are charged THREE times higher than someone who does.
Maybe Central Beds Council needs to start looking to provide a central cemetery? It could be run profitably (as is the Conservative way), if charged correctly, after all, no crematorium runs at a loss.
Sunday 5 July 2015
Nuisance Off Road Bikers
Op Meteor
Learn about Op Meteor, Bedfordshire Police's campaign to combat this nuisance.Nuisance Off Road Bikers
5/ 7/2015- A campaign to have more barriers installed around Parkside to help combat nuisance motor-bikers that ride around the footpaths of Houghton Regis has stalled.
Central Bedfordshire Council has responded to a resident's request for barriers, saying that "the highway capital programme for this year has been agreed upon and is already fully committed".
Another line of attack was to approach the Council's Housing department. But the Council have stated that there is no evidence that the perpetrators of the anti-social noise are Central Bedfordshire Council tenants. Therefore the authority do not have any authority to challenge the youths directly, so the matter needs to be dealt with by the police.
The reply puts the ball in the court of the police and local CBC councillors. Can't see any point in the last suggestion, unless the officer replying is suggesting his hands are politically tied unless a bigger fuss is made.
And the remark about a fully committed highways budget is, I would suggest, complete twaddle. There is always a bit extra to be found somewhere, though it might be nearer the end of the financial year. It's funny how they happily put funds into an opposed one-way contra-flow on Easthill Rd, then financed a new cycle path across part of the Village Green and made a path wide enough to take a quad bike at the back of Hammersmith Close (and omitted to put in barriers big enough to stop them) all without telling local representatives what they were doing.
The police have told me they are planning a series of further actions against the illegal use of bikes this summer, and the new Sergeant for Houghton Regis will be useful, but with the biggest will in the world, I can't see the problem ever going away.
Bikers Discussed Over a Video Put on BBC Three Counties Radio 7/7/2015
BBC3CR Facebook discussion
'Catch me if you can' - A teenager's message to the police about off-road motorbiking. It remains a problem in Dunstable and Houghton Regis.Our reporter Tony Fisher recorded this short video of the motorbikes in Dunstable.
Posted by BBC Three Counties Radio on Monday, 6 July 2015
Houghton Regis Crossers: Riding on Footpaths
21/2/2015Riding on public footpaths is illegal,
without helmets is illegal,
on fields without permission is illegal,
and if the rider has no insurance that's also illegal.
If confiscated for all those illegalities the bikes can be crushed, and some certainly have been over the years, I wouldn't want to see that sort of financial loss for any local family.
We need to form a group that will reach out to these young people, to educate and train them properly.
What can be done about motorbikes riding on footpaths and bridleways?
The Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management:
What can be done about motorbikes riding on footpaths and bridleways?
The Institute of Public Rights of Way and Access Management:
This is a criminal offence if done without lawful authority, which may be the landowner's permission, and even with permission it can still be an offence if motorbikes are ridden inconsiderately or cause damage. The legislation is enforceable by the Police as for other road traffic offences. It is sometimes possible to provide physical barriers that will prevent users of motorbikes gaining access to footpaths, but this is usually less effective on other routes. Ultimately, the Police have powers to confiscate motorbikes and prosecute riders where an offence has been committed.
Is there a solution?
I see the issue as age-related, late teens, a bit of money in their pockets, and they find they enjoy doing something that is fun. Maybe they move on to proper motorbikes and learn to act responsibly.
Is there a solution?
I see the issue as age-related, late teens, a bit of money in their pockets, and they find they enjoy doing something that is fun. Maybe they move on to proper motorbikes and learn to act responsibly.
A few years back PC Darren Bambury was running a great club for young riders to learn bike skills.
I think we really could do something like that again. That,of course, depended on Darren's sense of responsibility and his joy of motorbiking. A way forward might be for responsible bikers in our neighbourhood to step forward to run a bike club to teach responsible riding, the law, mechanics and so on.
I could speak to the Town Council about using a community worker to help to set one up and possibly allocate some funding for it, but this would need people with the right skill set from our neighbourhood to agree to get involved.
Learn More About the Law and Requirements for Riders
https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped
Blue Waters Woodland
Update 22/2/2015
I could speak to the Town Council about using a community worker to help to set one up and possibly allocate some funding for it, but this would need people with the right skill set from our neighbourhood to agree to get involved.
Learn More About the Law and Requirements for Riders
https://www.gov.uk/ride-motorcycle-moped
Blue Waters Woodland
Update 22/2/2015
I had a walk around Blue Waters Woodland this morning. I see from the CBC website that cycling and horse-riding are not permitted (though goodness only knows how that is stopped!)
Doesn't say anything about unhelmeted youths on pop-pop bikes, though, of which I saw three riding around churning up the pathways.
It's quite muddy at this time of year, anyway, so boots are required. You can imagine how the corners are being churned up. When it dries out a bit, it's going to take a lot of effort to rake the surfaces back to flat, assuming that the pop-pops don't continue and make it too expensive to restore.
The website also says of the site: "Friends / volunteers – None, but aspirational"
It's quite muddy at this time of year, anyway, so boots are required. You can imagine how the corners are being churned up. When it dries out a bit, it's going to take a lot of effort to rake the surfaces back to flat, assuming that the pop-pops don't continue and make it too expensive to restore.
The website also says of the site: "Friends / volunteers – None, but aspirational"
Therein lies the answer. It's the local people there that need to decide if they want a nice place to walk and watch butterflies, or to let it be taken over by youths looking for a bit of fun.
From the CBC website:
Blue Waters and Plaiter's Way
"Recent works have created surfaced paths around and between these 2 small sites. A natural play area has been created for children to enjoy. A great place to spot butterflies on a sunny day. Perfect for a short stroll or a picnic.
Nearest Postcode - LU5 6 LU5 6RJ
Car park - None
Walking - Open access and public footpaths
Dogs - Welcome but must be kept under control
Cycling - Sorry not permitted
Horse riding - Sorry not permitted
Access Information - Entrances are accessible to manual wheelchairs / buggies, surfaced paths. Circular paths/routes.
Picnic - Seating on site, but not specific picnic benches
Toilets - None
Cafe - None
Friends / volunteers – None, but aspirational"
Blue Waters and Plaiter's Way
"Recent works have created surfaced paths around and between these 2 small sites. A natural play area has been created for children to enjoy. A great place to spot butterflies on a sunny day. Perfect for a short stroll or a picnic.
Nearest Postcode - LU5 6 LU5 6RJ
Car park - None
Walking - Open access and public footpaths
Dogs - Welcome but must be kept under control
Cycling - Sorry not permitted
Horse riding - Sorry not permitted
Access Information - Entrances are accessible to manual wheelchairs / buggies, surfaced paths. Circular paths/routes.
Picnic - Seating on site, but not specific picnic benches
Toilets - None
Cafe - None
Friends / volunteers – None, but aspirational"
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