Friday 24 November 2017

Robin Hines — First Honorary Freeman of Houghton Regis

The Council were delighted to bestow the very first Honorary Freeman of Houghton Regis award. Presented by Town Mayor Joanna Hillyard on November 23rd 2017, the award was given to Robin Hines on behalf of the Council. Over 25 people attended the ceremony to witness many moving commendations made for Mr Hines' tireless work within the community across numerous roles.

After considering his many years of devoted service to the town, both formally as a councillor and informally assisting neighbours, the Council determined Mr Hines was deserving of the honour. He first joined the Council in 1995, serving four years before returning in 2007. Elected Town Mayor in 2010, he raised over £3,000 for charitable organizations through dedicated fundraising efforts.

The Town Mayor thanked Mr Hines on behalf of the Council and residents for his highly valued, significant contributions to Houghton Regis over the decades. In recognition of the award, he was presented with a framed scroll as a token of the community's deep gratitude.

Robin Hines in 2007

Robin Hines in 2014 - Pancake Race pose.

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Saturday 21 October 2017

Ward Councillors: How Many Councillors Should Houghton Regis Have?

I wrote this discussion document in October 2017...

Central Bedfordshire Council are consulting on Community Governance and everyone is asked to contribute by having their say (LINK). This is about the number of local town and parish councillors that should represent us, and what the ward boundaries should be. There are suggestions about the number of councillors an area should have, and where the ward boundaries should be. In the notes below I suggested keeping the present boundaries for Houghton Regis, but dividing some areas into more manageable sections, imparticular, Houghton Hall.

A Community Governance Review by Alan D Winter

It needs to be read in conjunction with CBC’s document.

Houghton Regis currently has 14 councillors representing Houghton Regis electors or 1 per 937 voters. The 1998 recommendations suggest there ought to be 18-19 councillors for the current number of electors.

In 1998 the National Association of Local Councils published its Circular 1126/1998 setting out guidance on the suggested number of parish councillors to be allocated depending on the size of the population represented. For a town the size of Houghton Regis, which had an electorate of 13,118 in September 2017, the circular indicates we ought to have 18-19 councillors now; 18 is equal to 1 per 728.

The Aston Business School in 1992 recommended between 13 and 21 councillors for electorates between 10,001 and 20,000.

The current allocation is 4 for Parkside (electorate 3,533); 4 for Tithe Farm (electorate 3,294), 6 for Houghton Hall (electorate 6,291).

On average Houghton Regis has one councillor per 937 voters in Houghton Regis. By 2023 the forward-planned electorate for Houghton Regis is expected to be 14,619, with most of that increase taking place in the Houghton Hall ward. To continue with the same numbers would mean 1,044 electors per councillor.

HOUGHTON HALL

The current allocation is 6 town councillors for Houghton Hall (electorate 6,291 Sept 2017); equal to 1 councillor per 1,048. The guidance allocation should be 8 or 9. Future growth figures indicate that by 2023, the electorate in Houghton Hall will rise by 1,450 with the impact mainly being felt on HH1 and HH5 registered areas.

When a bye-election occurs there are logistical problems in being able to reach all the electorate by all of the candidates, and though parties can help elect one of their own, the situation will be beyond the wherewithal for most Independent candidates.

Houghton Hall consists of 5 registers in 5 distinct areas, which could each be managed separately.

HH1 – Upper Bidwell and Thorn

HH2 – Houghton Hamlets

HH3 – east and west immediately adjacent to Houghton Hall Park

HH4 – Sewell with the south western parts of Houghton Regis

HH5 – Churchfields, an area between Tithe Farm Rd and Bedford Rd

HH1

has approximately 1600 electors now. Growth will come from new homes expected in Bidwell West. I have allocated three fifths of the CBC forecasted 1,450 growth to 2023 to HH1, or 870, making a new total of 2,470. – suggested allocation 3 councillors (1 per 823 by 2023).

HH2

has approximately 2150 electors – suggested allocation 3 councillors (1 per 716). This is a strongly distinctive area of its own with clear boundaries. No increases are expected in the number of electors.

HH3

has approx. 1130 electors Sep 2017. Increase will arise from development of Houghton Regis Central. 170 independent living units for older people (planning application CB/16/03378). I’ve allowed 1 fifth of the CBC forecasted 1,450 growth to HH3. 1130 + 290 = 1420. Suggested allocation 2 councillors (1 per 710 electors).

HH4

approx. 780 electors – suggested allocation 1 councillor. It includes Sewell. No growth built in for 2023.

HH5 – Churchfields

Approximately 620 electors and currently rising with new development as indicated below. One fifth of the 1450 growth (290) to 2023 has been allocated here, suggesting an allocation of 1 councillor (1 per 910). The area is marked in orange here.

PARKSIDE

The current allocation is 4 town councillors for Parkside (electorate 3,533 Sept 2017); equal to 1 councillor per 883. The March 2023 forecast is 3,563 equal to 1 councillor per 890.

Park1 area has around 2050 electors; Park2 around 1570 electors. Very little growth is forecast in either Park 1 or 2, but this forecast does not take into account a suggested new 385 homes immediately east of Park2 (Planning Application CB/16/04030).

Park 1 currently includes:

• Trident Drive 330 electors.

• Neptune Close and Neptune Square 20 electors;

If these were moved to Park2, that would leave:

• Park 1 with 1,700 electors and a viable new 2 councillor ward (1 per 850);

• Park2 would then have 1,920 electors. As a 2 councillor ward that equates to 1 per 960.

• Park2 with the adjusted forecast. Adding 250 from that proposed development for now, to the 1,920 gives a 2,170 electorate by 2023 in Park2. Potentially that could mean a 3 councillor ward and 2170 divided by 3 gives a ratio of 1:723.

TITHE FARM

The current allocation is 4 town councillors for Tithe Farm (electorate 3,294 Sept 2017); equal to 1 councillor per 824. No proposals.

Advantages of Smaller Wards:

1. More manageable for candidates in terms of visiting electors, leaflet production costs, leaflet delivery.

2. Cheaper for Council to manage in bye-election situations. Fewer polling cards to deliver, fewer polling stations need to be open, fewer boxes to take away for counting, fewer staff to manage the count.

The Now and Then Situation

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Thursday 17 August 2017

Houghton Regis Heritage Notes

Page Author: Alan D. Winter

This page for my "heritage" jottings about Houghton Regis

HOUGHTON-REGIS, a village and a parish in Luton district, Beds. The village stands near Watling-street, 1 mile N of Dunstable r. station; and has a post-office under Dunstable. The parish contains also the hamlets of Bidwell, Puddle-hill, Sewell, and Thorn. Acres, 4,500. Real property, £8,920. Pop., 2,169. Houses, 452. The property is divided among a few. The manor belongs to the Duke of Bedford. Houghton Hall is the seat of H. Brandreth, Esq. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Ely. Value, £400.* Patron, the Duke of Bedford. The church is early English; was recently restored; consists of nave, aisles, and chancel, with a a tower; and contains an effigies of a knight and monuments of the Brandreths. There are chapels for Baptists, Wesleyans, and Primitive Methodists, a large national school of 1847, an endowed school with £50 a-year, and a charity with £10. Imperial Gazetteer of England & Wales, 1866

PLACENAMES
In "A History of Bedfordshire", in reference to Houghton Regis, the book mentions that the following place names have been found:
LE VONTE
BOCHAMFORLONG
POLEYNNESCROUCH
THERINGSDENE
TETLOWE
LE REDEBRADE
TWAME
LENETHEZEMERE
LETUS
LE OTEDEN
LYTAREHUL
OTEHUL

TETLOWE ~ "A topographical surname. From the Old English personal name Taeta from the old Norse word Teitr meaning cheerful and the Old English word leah meaning wood clearing. So, a Tetlowe lived close to Taeta's wood clearing.

LETUS - A French surname.
more research needed on the others.

---

Rabbit Lane

Whenever I have used "Rabbit Lane", I have always meant it to mean that footpath/cycle track on the western edge of Houghton Hall Park, which comes out at Porz Avenue.

But I have an image of the 1762 survey map, copied in 1766, that refers to this as "Cook Lane" leading south from a point west of Houghton Hall. A little further over to the west is another track labelled "Adams Lane" which is more likely to be the present day route. Adams Lane and Cook Lane converge and become labelled, "Wood Way" a little further to the south.

The same route is referred to as "Malmsley Lane" in a 1946 map.

Pam Cameron, refers to it as Rabbit Lane in her account recorded here . Mrs Cameron says that Rabbit Lane ran alongside of Houghton Hall, it was named due to the number of Rabbits there. She remembers a relative going down there with Ferrets trying to catch the Rabbits, he had permission from Colonel Part first!

So, I need help here. Where is the proof of the name Rabbit Lane written? Or was it just colloquially known as Rabbit Lane?

----
1955 Aerial View and Conservation Area
44 Page 2008 Document, Conservation Area and Management Plan for Houghton Regis - 1955 aerial view of town centre. Held by CBC - Also a copy held here (Alan Winter's Google Drive).

A summary of heritage buildings in the conservation area is contained in the planning application for an additional building in the grounds of Treow House, 2015, application CB/15/00957.

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Spooky Woodlands Avenue

Hazel Keane: "Mum woke up one night and saw a man standing at the bottom of the bed. In the morning dad came home from working nights to find the front door keys in the lock of the front door. Having said that my auntie was a district nurse and was told many stories from the old folk of the village. One story was that there was a murder under the big tree in the lane behind 42 and 43 Woodlands."
16 November at 21:48 Facebook

Catherine Hirst: "Woodlands is a spooky road. Once three of my brothers saw what appeared to be a young girl in 17th century clothes gliding along the long path about a foot above the ground. Mum went to the library and found out that in the 17th century a lane ran along that line and it was higher than the path is now."
16 November at 20:27, Facebook

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Moore Crescent.
Moore Crescent Recreation Ground was acquired by the Town Council via a series of transfers between May 2000 and October 2001. Certainly, the Town Council is the owner under Title Number BD221973.
----

Houghton Regis Quarry: Kenneth Moore, The Man in The Moon, 1960

The film was about a group of pioneers who ran out of money in their quest to go to the moon, so they plonked a craft in our Houghton Regis quarry, and pretended they had landed. And you wondered where conspiracy theories started?

---

CUMBERLAND Richard Cumberland gravestone at All Saints churchyard states that he was Headmaster of the (Thomas) Whitehead Free School for 53 years. He died in May 1874 aged 87. Richard Cumberland was born in Houghton Regis and his baptism was at All Saints Church Houghton Regis on the 31st October 1788. He was the son of William and Ann Cumberland. The Cumberland family was a large Houghton Regis family, they appear in Houghton Regis around 1650 about the same time as the Brandreths and seem to have moved on by the end of the First World war. Cumberland St appears on the 1880 ordnance survey map of Houghton.

C. 3120. Grant by Matthew de Bayfeld of Dunstaple, clerk, to Gregory Sawine of Houtone, of land in Houtone, parts lying in the north field at Borhamforlong and Nynaker extending northwards upon Haselgraveforlong, and beyond Fancotepath, and parts in the little field, at Poleynnescrouch &c. with meadow at Podele extending northwards upon the pasture of the lord of Eyton &c. St. Peter ad vincula, 32 Edward I. Injured.
SOURCE : Deeds, C.3101 - C.3200, Sponsor, History of Parliament Trust
Publication: A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds: Volume 3
Author: H. C. Maxwell Lyte (editor)

THERINGSDENE:
C. 793. Grant by Henry le Smyth, of Dunstable, to Thomas de Chetindon, and Alice his wife, of land in the fields of Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Toturno, part thereof extending upon Carterweys, part in Theringsdene, &c. Tuesday after St. Andrew the Apostle, 12 Edward III. Seal.
SOURCE Deeds, C.701 - C.800, Sponsor, History of Parliament Trust
Publication: A Descriptive Catalogue of Ancient Deeds: Volume 1
Author: H. C. Maxwell Lyte (editor), Year published: 1890

Manor Park Estate

February 1950. Local newspaper reported that The HR Parish Council had suggested names for a new housing estate: Dusty Avenue, Manor Park Estate, Strange's Folly, Beechwood Avenue, Robin Hood Estate, Cumberland Estate. Manor Park Estate won. Mr Sandford protested saying, "It is not a suitable site for a housing estate, and I am afraid that the council will have all the backwash when houses are erected." T. Strange of 20 Park Avenue wrote a letter to the paper deploring the name "Manor Park", as the landowners of Manor Park had done all in their power to stop the village getting the site. The following week a letter from Mr Sandford suggested that Mr Strange should attend parish council meetings to find out what business was being done, and then criticism would be welcome. Mr Strange wrote back accusing Mr Sandford of misquoting him.

AYLESBURY DUCKS
Luton Times and Advertiser - Friday 22 January 1909.

"The late Mr. Joseph Green was probably the largest breeder of ducks in this country. His farm at Bidwell during the busy duck breeding season was a wonderful sight, meadow after meadow being crosly covered with the thouands of ducklings which he would be rearing for the London markets."

"It may be reasonably conjectured that there are far more 'Aylesbury' ducks put on the markets of London from South Bedfordshire than ever see the light near Aylesbury. A stranger to the district would be astonished to watch the celerity with which some of the experienced hands kill and pluck the ducklings on some of these local duck farms. In the height of the season sometimes on a single farm from 200 to 300 are killed daily and plucked ready for market".

Ever wondered how Sundon Road got its name?

The Parish clerk had been in the habit of referring to the unmarked road leading from the pond opposite The Chequers leading towards Chalton Cross as Chalton Road. But in June 1956 the question was asked as to what the name of the road actually was. After discussion, the councillors resolved to ask the Luton Rural District Council. In July the reply came back from LRDC requesting HRPC decide what they wanted it to be known as. A vote was taken on Sundon Road or Chalton Road, and the former won by 5 votes to 4, whereupon the LRDC were asked to supply signage and renumber houses in the road. (source: Houghton Regis Parish archives)

There are six bells in All Saints' belfry. Inscriptions:
1. John Briant Hertford Fecit 1815
2. J. Briant Hertford 1816
3. Newcombe made mee 1616
4. J Briant Hertford fecit 1811
5. O.B. John Dier made me 1580
6. Anthony Chandler made mee 1673
(3rd and 5th recast 1899)
The 5th bell is probably the earliest dated in the county.
This information comes from a map of the church.
http://www.allsaintshoughtonr.org.uk/the_church_bells_96.html

Bedfordshire's Yesteryears: War Times and Civil Matters v. 4 edited by Brenda Fraser-Newstead
p183. ISBN 1-871199-23-9
CLAUDE HORWOOD, b. 7 August 1911.
"My grandfather was a chemist in Dunstable and later at Wooton and Webb pharmacy. He then had his own shop in Brunswick Street. He moved from Houghton Regis to Luton while my father was still young. My father often used to meet him from work and it was very seldom that he saw any vehicle on the road between Luton and Dunstable - just the miller's wagon and carrier's cart which plied between Luton and Dunstable two days a week. The route was a dark lane from the area where Dunstable Road begins in the centre of Luton, up to Dunstable Road, with high hedges and overhanging trees. Father was frightened of going along this lane at night during winter, but when the light evenings came he would go to meet his father."
"My mother lived to be a little short of a hundred and has now been dead some thirty years. I was born when she was about forty-five. What she and father told me goes back many years. They lived in Houghton Regis before they married. My mother used to walk from Houghton Regis to the centre of Luton each day before she married, and worked a twelve hour day, starting at 6am. I believe she was a machinist then. She made this walk every day, and there were few buildings there then, just a laundry at the top of Beech Hill. The Gas Works had been built at this time, and Christ Church at the top of George Street, was in the process of being built."
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Bedfordshire Within Living Memory - Bedfordshire Federation of Women's Institutes.. 1992. ISBN 1 85306 200 6
p146:- (refers to pre WWII)
"There were two schools in the village of Houghton Regis. One was a council school and the other a Church of England school. I went to the C of E one which was situated on the edge of the village green where we were allowed to play - weather permitting. If not, we played in our playgrounds which were separated by a brick wall - one for the girls and infants, the other for the boys. The toilets were at the far end of the playground. Our school was heated by an open fire which had a large fire-guard. In the morning break we had Horlicks to drink which cost three pence per week. It was made by the headmaster in a large urn at the front of the classroom while we quietly got on with our work. When we were in the top class, we took turns to wash the urn in a large sink in the cloakroom."
"On Ash Wednesday and Ascension Day, being a church school, we used to attend church in the morning, and then go back to school for our Horlicks. Then we talked about why we had been to church and sometimes had a story read to us. We were then allowed the afternoon off school so that we could gloat over the children when they came out to play."
"Just beside our school were kennels where the hunting hounds were kept. If they were being exercised while we were playing on the green we were allowed to stroke them. They used to enjoy running about with us, but the kennel man just had to whistle and they immediately ran to him. If there was a Meet when we were at school, we were allowed to go outside to see them go off for the hunt."
"Until 1935 there was no senior school in the area, and the children stayed at the same school until they were 14 years old when they left to go to work. The year I was to go to senior school was 1939 so we had to have three weeks extra holiday because war was declared and the corridors of the school had to be reinforced with sandbags and a dug-out built. At first we used to go home for mid-day dinners, walking about a mile and a half each way, but when there was more danger from bombing, we were allowed to stay at school and take sandwiches to eat. The only children to have school dinners lived two miles or more away, although it was later changed so that all children could have school dinners. Our education was often disrupted by air raid practice, which we only had to use in reality a few times. Our male teachers were called up for service and we were always having our teachers changed. Many of them came from London with the evacuees."
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CCE 5244/1 1978

Source of acquisition: Acc.21139

Contents:
Epitome of title relating to the freehold property known as land forming part of Chantry Farm, Houghton Regis attached to examined copies of (inter alia)
Conveyance dated 9 Dec 1936 from Annie Louise Franklin of Chantry Farm, Houghton Regis, wife of Thomas Franklin of the same, farmer, to Richard Oakley Andrews of Chalton Cross nr. Luton, farmer, for £6500, of closes, fields or parcels of land [48.42a.,? in part/whole] forming the major part of Chantry Farm at Houghton Regis (as delineated on an annexed plan).
Includes an acknowledgement to produce a Conveyance dated 31 Dec 1914 between Charles Henry Bergne andf Hervey A'Court Bergne (1) Evelyn Frances Christobel Brandreth (2), Charles Henry Bergne (3), Daniel Henry Redhead (4), Redhead & Gray Ltd. (5) and ALF (6); and endorsed with memoranda of 9 subsequent conveyances of part (including The Elms and Lynwood, Park Road North, 1937-1974).
Supplemental abstract of the title of the trustees of Richard Oakley Andrews of The Bury, Sharpenhoe, farmer and Company Director, deceased to freehold estate in Bedfordshire (including Bury Farm at Sharpenhoe, Happyland Farm, Alton Farm, part Gostelow's Farm and Chapel Dairy Farm at Toddington and Chantry Farm and Easthill Farm at Houghton Regis (abstracting from 1960).
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/A2A/records.aspx?cat=004-cc_2-2&cid=-1#-1

The Lion Carving at Whipsnade Zoo

The landmark was started in June 1931. It was designed by R B Brook-Greaves, and was completed Easter 1933

Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal January 27, 1950
The Dunstable Corporation to pay £18,550 for Brewers Hill Farm under a compulsory purchase order.
Houghton Regis Rangers F.C. held a party for childrens players at the Memorial Hall last Saturday. A big tea was followed by a visit to Father Christmas and a film show. Later in th evening the Rangers entertained Skefko Atheltic, who they had earlier beaten, to a social.

Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal February 3, 1950
Three candidates for South Beds General Election are in the news. Moeran (Labour); Knight (Liberal); Fearnley-Whittingstall (National Liberal and Conservative)
Picture of N0.6 double decker bus with a broken axle near the grass verge on Poynters Road, Houghton Regis, during the sudden freeze on Monday.

MANOR PARK ESTATE
Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal February 3, 1950
On Tuesday night (31/1/1950) the Houghton Regis council deliberated over names for a new housing estate. Suggestions included: Dusty Avenue, Manor Park Estate, Strange's Folly, Beechwood Avenue, Robin Hood Estate, and Cumberland Estate. Manor Park Estate was chosen. But Mr Sandford wanted to record a protest in the minutes saying, "It is not a suitable site for a housing estate, and I am afraid that the Council will have all the backwash when the houses are erected." The report includes the names of the councillors who suggested each name. The following week, the Gazette carried a letter from Mr T. Strange of 20 Park Avenue, saying the councillors were all asleep, they had known about the scheme for some time, and they shouldn't call it Manor Park 'as the land owners of Manor Park did all in their power to stop the village getting the site".
- Cement dust was worrying the HR parish council. They decided to send a letter complaining of the dust to the management of the works.
- Council to ask for another telephone kiosk for the village to go at the northerly end of Houghton High Street.

Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal February 10, 1950
- Gen. Election candidate, Moeran, said the cement industry was a tight monopoly "which should be nationalised".
- Annie Bird, 85, of Bedford Rd, HR, died on Tuesday. Daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Bird of Bidwell Farm.
- Luton R.D.C. allocate quota of 4 new homes to Houghton Regis.

THEEDWAY
An Anglo Saxon charter of 966 for Linslade gives evidence of a trade route for salt in Bedfordshire. It was the main east-west route through the settlement known as Thiodwegthe from where 'Theedway' or 'or Ede Way' is probably derived. This route crossed the Ousel at 'Yttingaford' (now Tiddenfoot), and moved eastwards 12 miles across Bedfordshire, Eggington, Chalgrave, and converged into the Icknield Way, north of Luton at the foot of Warden hills. The northern boundary of Luton is established along the Theedway, and has been the boundary for at least a thousand years, and is the present limit of Luton's built up area. A section of Theedway survives near Linslade as Bridleway37 near Grovebury Farm north of the A505. (ref. Greensand Trust).

This route was noted in the Chalgrave Charter of King Athelstan in AD926 (1034) and was therefore in use during the Anglo-Saxon period (Blundell J H, 1925, Toddington, Its Annals and People. E. Ashby 1925). Possibly a successor of the putative Icknield Way prehistoric route, and its name means 'the people's road or highway'. It passes through all of Bedfordshire's Royal Manors, but avoids key settlements. The route may have been used to transport salt from the East Anglian Fens inland, avoiding paying tolls at towns and markets (Edgeworth, M, 2007, Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Bedfordshire, in Oake, M et al (ed),
Bedfordshire Archaeology – Research and Archaeology: Resource Assessment, Research
Agenda and Strategy, Bedfordshire Archaeology Monograph 9, 87-109 ). The origins of the route are unclear; it has been suggested that it was a prehistoric track, as concentrations of struck flint have been along its course (Austin, W, 1928, The History of Luton and its Hamlets, Volumes 1 and 2. County Press). The route remained important into the 18th century, when it started to decline. It was finally removed as a major thoroughfare by the 19th century enclosures.

Drunk in Charge of a Cart

Percy Hill of Dunstable was in trouble in November 1912. The Dunstable Borough Gazette reported that he was fined 3s 3d with 6s 3d costs when his case came up for not keeping to the left or near side of the road while driving a cart and while being drunk on November 15th. Defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. His accuser said that on arrival at the crossing near Houghton Regis the chauffeur had blown his whistle but the cart driver had not moved over. Then, about 100 yards further along the road with only 3 or 4 inches to pass, the chauffeur drove into a hedge and his passenger was thrown out.

First World War
At .dunstablehistory.co.uk
Articles contains items about Houghton Regis:

"The men paraded outside Dunstable town hall and went on to Houghton Regis where they bivouacked for the night on Houghton Green. Most of the men slept in the open in their greatcoats, on top of waterproof sheets and blankets, but someone found a tent for the officers"
PHOTO: "Marching through Houghton Regis"
PHOTO: Lt Berlin's funeral, Houghton Regis.
PHOTO: Chequers corner, Houghton Regis, scene of Lt Berlin's accident. The pond has now been filled in.
"There's a quite a well-known postcard issued in July 1915 which shows the funeral of Second Lieutenant Bertlin at Houghton Regis Church. He had been based with the Royal Engineers at Houghton and was fatally injured when his motorcycle hit a car while going round the bend near the Chequers pub in the village. He was brought “with all speed” to Houghton Hall and then taken to the military hospital at Wardown Park, Luton, where he died. The report of the accident and the subsequent inquest was given huge prominence in the Gazette, out of all proportion, you might think, to the less detailed coverage given to the other tragedies now occurring in France on almost a weekly basis."

PHOTO: "Pte F. Smith, of 95 High Street, Houghton Regis, was killed in action at Gallipoli. "

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Thursday 10 August 2017

Houghton Regis: Plans for 74-76 High Street

My objections sent in.

7th August 2017

CB/17/03450/FULL – 74-76 High Street, Houghton Regis

Site of Former 74 to 76, High Street, Houghton Regis

New build to create 3 x 1 Bedroom Apartments and 2 Studio Apartments (5 in total).

Objections.

1. The site used to house a commercial building that was demolished because it was unsafe. Demolition was permitted in CB/13/01129/DEM. Because there is archaeological interest in the site, the decision notice specified that "The Council's further express planning permission is required for the removal of the building foundations in connection with the redevelopment of the site." The application is therefore premature as there has been no application specifically for the removal of the building foundations.

2. Houghton Regis has a continuous record of almost all of its town centre shops being occupied. The proposed development is out of character with the immediate area which is predominantly commercial in character. The trend is to rejuvenate high streets as retail and commercial centres so this would represent the loss of a potential retail unit.

3. It is unclear from the supplied documentation where Cycling and bin storage areas are to be provided. If communal bins are to be provided at the rear, the applicant has not demonstrated that the Council is able to supply bins that can be manoeuvred along the narrow alleyway to the front of the property. It is unclear who the onus of moving the bins to a collection point and back again will be done by.

4. Growth of developments in town centre locations that are built without adequate parking spaces increases pressure on neighbouring streets for parking restrictions, resident only parking, and civil parking enforcement which in turn becomes a burden on Council administration in terms of parking complaints, staff time and costs. In that respect accommodations without parking are unsustainable.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Parking Strategy, forms part of the adopted Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) covering the period between April 2011 and March 2026. This specifies that a 1 bedroom dwelling should have 1 parking space per unit allocated as a minimum, plus visitor parking of 0.25 spaces per unit. Therefore this application for three 1 bedroom units plus 2 studio apartments should have at least 6.25 spaces. No parking spaces are provided which is wholly unacceptable.

5. For the alleyway on the western elevation, it is not indicated whether a lockable gate is to be provided or not. Being on a high street the alleyway could become a target for anti-social behaviour, therefore a lockable gate should be provided, to secure the route as a private one for the residents. In turn that would help to secure any cycles parked at the rear, and improve personal safety.

6. The application lacks a management construction plan detailing how the site is to be accessed during construction, codes of conduct for scaffolders, where construction traffic is to park, hours of construction operation, arrangements for pedestrians during construction, and who to contact for any breach of management construction policy.

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Wednesday 2 August 2017

Saved! Oakwell Park Petition Helps Save A Local Landmark Building

Oakwell Park is a site to the North of Thorn Road, Thorn, Houghton Regis. An interesting house surrounded by parkland, with a woodland to the east. A field to the west of this site is designated part of HRN2. Developers now have eyes on developing Oakwell Park for housing, including the demolition of this building.

This petition had 599 supporters. It was begun on 25 January 2017 by Alan Winter on Change.org and was addressed to Central Bedfordshire Council and Optimist Consulting. The petition drew the attention of many others, notably Dale Ingram MSc FRSA (Twitter description: "Historic Buildings & Planning Cons. & Expert witness. Pragmatic, ethical.") who knew about the listed building process.

Ultimately, the building was listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.

Oakwell Park

Oakwell Park, Thorn, Dunstable, LU5 6JH, is now listed on the National Heritage List for England.

Grade: II

List Entry Number: 1447639

Date first listed: 02-Aug-2017

List Entry Name: Oakwell Park

Statutory Address 1: Oakwell Park, Thorn, Dunstable, LU5 6JH

Read the full entry and details here.

Download Map Here.

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Wednesday 19 July 2017

Houghton Regis Town Council: Standing Orders! Six of One and Half A Dozen of the Other!

It's been a while since I watched a bit of theatre but, on reflection, in terms of theatrical entertainment, last night's Houghton Regis Town Council meeting was a good one. (link shows agenda)

In terms of getting anything done for the town, they achieved nothing.

The trouble is, the Council is hung, and on the key debates of the evening, to do with internal Policies of Council, voting was split, along the lines of {Labour + Lib Dem Cllr Robin Hines} versus {other Lib Dems and Independents}, with the mayor having the casting vote.

Standing Order 7a used to say (version as amended 30th January 2017) "PRESENCE OF NON-MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Any Councillor may attend, and with the permission of the Committee Chair speak on particular matters at a meeting of a Committee or Sub-Committee of which he is not a member, but may not vote."

Some meetings were going on too long, argued the Labour side, so they sought a change to this Standing Order, to ensure that non-members of a committee would not be allowed to participate in the meeting unless the meeting had a public participation session. The counter argument from the chair of Corporate Services - arguably the 'keeper of the rules' - was that it was up to members to point out to the chair the time, and if necessary to invoke another policy:

Standing Order 1w. "A meeting shall not normally exceed a period of 2.5 hours unless by agreement of those Members present."

Then, provoked by repeated speeches from the same councillors arguing the same points over and over again, the chair of Corporate Services reminded the meeting of Standing Order 13o RULES OF DEBATE - MOTIONS "Unless permitted by the chairman of the meeting, a councillor may speak once in the debate on a motion" (some exceptions to this rule are applicable) and suggested that as changes to Standing Orders were being sought, they should abide by them.

I don't think anyone in the meeting really wanted to stifle anyone's contribution, just that sometimes some of them think too much allowance is given to non-members at committees which prolong proceedings; they all seemed fairly content with the rule that says that non-members of committees aren't allowed to vote on decisions.

I've been at other meetings, Town Partnership for example, where the chair has only allowed non-members to speak after allowing most time to members. That seems like good practice to me.

At Xerox, we practised Lean Six Sigma, and if anyone is familiar with Kaizen, they will know that a properly planned efficient meeting knows what it can accomplish in a given amount of time, with a member of the meeting detailed to be the per-item timekeeper.

With the Labour group losing their motion (6/7), another motion was passed (6/7), ultimately changing rule 7a to read, "PRESENCE OF NON-MEMBERS OF COMMITTEES AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Any Councillor may attend, and with the permission of the Committee Chair speak on particular matters at a meeting, that is not in private session, - of a Committee or Sub-Committee of which he is not a member, but may not vote".

To me, that isn't plain English, and though understood now (I wonder if it really is?), future councillors may wonder at the sense of it.

PLANNING

On a separate issue, I attended one of their Planning meetings last week, and I still find it quite alien as a member of the public to be invited by the chair of that committee to participate throughout the meeting and sit at the table with elected representatives. Whilst I had things to say and was allowed to, I'm sure that the meeting was prolonged because of this. I was uncertain about any rules under which I could speak, and I was unsure how councillors potentially opposed to the chair's invitation would take my comments; I was on an uncertain footing.

As a member of the public, if I have comments to make on an application, I can make those direct to the planning authority; I don't need to make them through the Town Council. Controversial issues could arise, with members of the public who are oblivious to the Council's rules of conduct or who have no knowledge of Standing Orders. Even members of the council scarcely know those rules, especially at the start of a term of office, never mind 2 years in. So, I am a bit reserved about this practice and wary of what might go wrong.

PRESS & MEDIA

In Public Questions, I asked for Corporate Services to review their policy and define what "Media" means. Press Protocols does not define "Media", but does state, "Copies of Agenda and Minutes sent to Members for meetings of the Council or its Committees will be posted to the Media, without charge, at the same time."

Recently staff at HRTC had declined to send things to me because Media referred only to formally recognised press and media organisations such as the local newspaper. I reminded the members that my blogs had been operating since 2010 and that there is no local newspaper specifically for the town and that these days 'Media' ought also includes the Internet.

I also requested a notification system so that members of the public can be informed when new items are posted to the Town Council website. I already subscribe to such a service operated by Chalgrave Parish Council and find it very useful.

CODE OF CONDUCT ISSUES

They seem to be sorting themselves out; no point in writing anything about it here.

Click Here for More Houghton Regis Notes

Wednesday 21 June 2017

Petition to Arriva Affecting Bus Services in Houghton Regis

PETITION: To ask Arriva to change its proposals for Houghton Regis bus services from 18th June 2017. Change.Org

Background

From 18th June 2017, Arriva has announced that the A service will no longer serve Houghton Regis (see note 1). Arriva say they will change the routing of the Z bus service so that it will no longer serve Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close), and instead run its service via the A5505 and Parkside Drive through to its junction with Sundon Road.

It was further announced that the 38 service is to be discontinued, and the 33 bus service will serve those disenfranchised roads - Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close) - and take passengers only as far as Bedford Square, Houghton Regis (note 2). Also, the 33 will not travel to L&D Hospital, as the 38 does now.

These are the main grievances which this petition seeks Arriva to address, to bring about the best outcomes for passengers and the bus company.

1. The changes will disadvantage residents living in cul-de-sacs off Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, Parkside Drive up to Enfield Close. The proposals will take away their direct bus service to and from the L&D Hospital, and take away their bus service to and from Dunstable town centre. This will affect the disabled and elderly hardest.

2. Initial feedback to announced changes to timetables for A and Z services indicate that: 2.1 There will be confusion over whether an A bus from Luton will be travelling all the way to Houghton Regis or not.
2.2 There will be confusion over whether a Z bus from Houghton Regis will be going to Luton Airport, to Luton Interchange, or just to Dunstable Asda.

To resolve the issues:
3. To suggest to Arriva that at least some of the Z buses are routed every hour via the old route (Sandringham Drive, Windsor Drive, and Parkside Drive (from its junction with Windsor Drive to a point past Enfield Close)). This would restore a direct service for that catchment area to such places as Morrisons Houghton Regis, L&D Hospital, and Luton Airport (note 1).

4. To save drivers being repetitively asked by passengers about the destinations of A and Z buses, Arriva is asked to consider how best to mitigate this problem, such as the introduction of destination-specific numbers.

*Petition drawn up by Alan Winter,

note 1: currently proposed by Arriva after June 18th - the Z may or may not, change to an A at Asda Dunstable, and then may or may not continue all the way to Luton Airport; and that an A from Luton Airport may or may not travel to Asda Dunstable, may or may not continue to Houghton Regis as a Z.

Arriva timetables A-Z

note 2: In the other direction the 33 travels to Luton town centre. Timetable 33

Public comments made on Houghton Regis Page for Facebook on various days in 2017: 26th May, 27th May, 1st June, 7th June, SIGNATURES 243 at 08:48 on 21 June 2017

COMMENTS AT CHANGE.ORG

Name: Sarah S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TN
Comment: I will be unable to even reach my nearest stop now and I used the Z bus regularly to get to the hospital, will now have to pay out for taxi's

Name: Trudi H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UT
Comment: I will not be able to get into Dunstable or the hospital with my husband which he needs to get to, on a regular basis.

Name: Karl R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ED
Comment: As someone who regularly uses the A from Bedford Square to Luton Station, these new changes have utterly baffled me. Any changes which require passengers to repeatedly ask the driver about destinations and whether it becomes another bid mid route should have immediately set off alarm bells that the changes were poorly thought out.

Name: Tina M.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TJ
Comment: Cause I would have to catch two busses to get to dunstable and have to walk 10mins to get to a bus stop to get a bus that i don't have to change on.

Name: Julie S.
Location: dunstable lu55de
Comment: i think they should not take the A bus off from houghton as it is the quickest way to get to luton/airport so if you have to be in luton/airport for a early shift you will have to get to dunstable first, and the Z bus takes to long to get to Luton please the bus service as it is

Name: Jennifer R.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QQ
Comment: Changes to the bus routes use this service often

Name: Diane D.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HY
Comment: I don't wa to catch two buses to get to Dunstable and no busses to hospital is just not good enough.

Name: Laura D.
Location: Houghton Regis lu55sj
Comment: I will either have to walk at least 10 mins to get one bus to Luton or get two buses to get to Luton to work and it's not acceptable

Name: Karen I.
Location: Teddington Tw119hw
Comment: My elderly father and plenty of other elderly people i know rely on this route

Name: Janet S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pn
Comment: I have difficulty walking I have to rely on the buses to go out pleas do not change the buses thank you

Name: Alan S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HA
Comment: The proposed changes will disadvantage the residents in the Houghton Regis area including the elderly and disabled. Arriva are also promoting this as price cuts. It is not for the residents mentioned above. My current 4 weekly busway ticket costs me £50 but the "new" ticket will cost me £55. Another example of Arriva not running a public bus service for the public.

Name: Debbie K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JW
Comment: Why try to fix something which isn't broken!!? The way the A and Z buses run have been absolutely fine since the busway opened and has made alot of commuters lives alot easier and quicker! Originally the old 38 route from Houghton Regis to Luton used to take 45 mins or more depending on traffic (Bury Park) and that was on a good day! The A bus which serves Houghton Regis has been one of the best and most reliable services I have used in the 19 years I have lived here, Arriva need to rethink this decision!!

Name: Toma S.
Location: Watford Wd19 5bn
Comment: We need this bus service

Name: Vicki B.
Location: Chesham HP5 2QW
Comment: For residents and local businesses. This route is crucial to a lot of local people who cannot drive

Name: Stephanie L.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ns
Comment: Its going to make traveling to luton a longer journey

Name: Gillian Z.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HW
Comment: The proposed routes seem to ignore large parts of Houghton Regis, now meaning that 2 buses will now be required for what was previously just 1.

Name: Liz H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5je
Comment: Arriva is a bloody joke all the boss case about is makeing money and not the people who need this bus

Name: Tim P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5Fa
Comment: This effects my commute from Houghton Regis to London. It looks to be have been correctly researched . I am keen to see the data Aviv a have used ....

Name: Emma H.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5tf
Comment: No direct bus to the hospital

Name: Carol S.
Location: Luton LU3 3TG
Comment: I will have no way to get to dunstable with 4 children except via cabs so if they want to up local cab firms money they gone the right way about it!

Name: Gaye L.
Location: St Albans AL4 9YD
Comment: I do not live in St.Albans but moved over a year ago to Milton Way, Houghton Regis. I am retired & totally depended particularly on the Z bus to get me to the hospital, Luton town & station in particular. I also need the A bus to go to my daughter & Dunstable. I am devastated by these changes.

Name: Deborah R.
Location: Dunstable LU5 5UH
Comment: I am signing because I have disabilities which mean the changes will mean hardship for me and my neighbours also.

Name: Cheryl E.
Location: dunstable lu55rw
Comment: It is ridiculous to cut off the elderly along Parkside and Windsor drive, who can just about get to the bus stop outside their houses. It is wrong, arriva should be ashamed

Name: Chantel M.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hl
Comment: I honestly think it's appalling that people could disregard the elderly and there needs to travel and have a carefree life. Many individuals rely on this bus service and have for years to sweep it from under them is just another thing . Fair enough change happens but to benefit some within society and leave others without the same means of travel is just obsimal.

Name: Lesley H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: Please leave our bus alone we NEED it a lot of elderly people rely on this service

Name: Lesley H. Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RH
Comment: We need this bus to get to the hospital or if we need to go to Dunstable or just to do our shopping at Morrisons rethink this and leaver bus alone

Name: Julie B.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5hu
Comment: It will bad for older people trying to get to the hospital

Name: Angela H.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5BX
Comment: It's not fair on half of Houghton Regis to take away their bus service, especially to the hospital.

Name: Isabella S.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55db
Comment: Don't fix what's not broken.

Name: Jenny C.
Location: Luton Lu1 3qa
Comment: I need to get daughter to school and bus change has made this hard

Name: Lorraine D.
Location: luton lu31dz
Comment: i am disabled and i go and visit relatives in houghton regis stopping ithe bus t means i cannot visit as i cant get in carsand the bus is my only form of travel

Name: Jane C.
Location: Luton LU5 5BW
Comment: The people of Houghton Regis should not be overlooked when revising bus services. The direct A bus to Luton and the airport is a necessity for the disabled and elderly who will find bus changes and standing around waiting inbetween buses difficult, and a direct link to the hospital is a necessity for everyone, again, particularly the disabled, elderly and those with children.

Name: James C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: I am a local councillor for Houghton Regis and the lack of public consultation deeply concerns me. I feel Houghton Regis is getting a rough deal considering a large amount of Houghton Regis community land was compulsory purchased for the building of the Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis busway. I have concerns for the amount of money spent on the new bus shelters now a large number will be redundant. Has consideration been made for their removal or are they to be left for the vandals to ruin. If arrival do not want to supply bus services to Houghton Regis perhaps we should consider other companies or other forms of community bus services which suit the people of Houghton Regis.

Name: Christine C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5tp
Comment: You just get used to a service then change I don't like change!

Name: Louise C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: We need a decent bus service in Houghton Regis

Name: Elaine W.
Location: Dunstable Lu5 5jf
Comment: It mad to change the bus rout as we,v just got use to the last change and some people won't havr a bus at all

Name: Mr D & Mrs B P.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: We think we need more than one bus per hour, why not just scrap the 33 route and replace it with the Z route. The reason Windsor Drive is to be missed out is to save time (four minutes) but they will have missed out of picking up fares on the new link road. I wrote to L.Frostick general manager (4th June), she informed me (5th June) that she would reply in a COUPLE of days, to date she has failed to do so.

Name: Peter C.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RW
Comment: Use bus regular to go to as a and l&s

Name: Roksana C.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: I'm signing because I do not agreed regards changing time table and routes. From now on I need to take two buses to get to work as it was really convenient for all hospital employees.

Name: Carole C
Location: dunstable lu54un
Comment: This will be very inconvenient for the elderly and morhers with young children. Please reconsider.

Name: Caroline K.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5 HW
Comment: I need our bus to get to Luton, Hospitals and airport, as do my children and my Mother.... we are a growing town and need this to encourage people not to drive or help those who cannot drive

Name: Carole H
Location: Houghton Regis lu55jp
Comment: rely on these buses to get to work why change something that has worked so well for the last few yrs

Name: Laura D
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sn
Comment: I want the service to continue along Windsor Drive.

Name: Sorina R
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5HY
Comment: This changes affects me so much, it's not right to have ONLY one bus every 40 minutes on Windsor Drive! My son goes to school on Tithe Farm, we live on Tennyson Avenue and we have to be at school at 8:40am- how we get there on time if the bus comes 8:30am (and God knows if it's coming on time) ????????

Name: Rezia K.
Location: Luton lu1 1ul
Comment: I do not agree with these timetables. As everyone without transport depend on buses especially the vulnerable.

Name: Emily A.
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5pn
Comment: Kids will struggle to get to school and adults alike the service at the moment is brilliant why change it!

Name: Angela K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It's a joke esp for only ppl an the disabled :( some fine if hard to get to the bus stop now ! How are thy goin to ever get out if they take their bus service

Name: Sam S.
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HF
Comment: The changes mean either 2 buses to work or 1 much longer one

Name: D H.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qg
Comment: Family friends elderly

Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: I need access to Tudor drive and Luton and Dunstable hospital

Name: Carol E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55jp
Comment: I like the bus route as it is I need the bus to get to and from work and the a bus is good

Name: Susan O.
Location: Ventnor Po38 1al
Comment: I use this service for visiting family

Name: Bryan O.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5SN
Comment: Cannot see why the Z is no longer serving Windsor drive. The Woodside link doesn't serve any residents. Why would Arriva avoid potential customers?

Name: Christine B.
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: It stops at top of my road and I need it to continue doing that.
Name: Hazel K.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5ll
Comment: This is a life line for many in Houghton Regis. Arrival have already discontinued the E bus at weekends. Why in God's name was all that money spent on the bus way.

Name: Susan G
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5sr
Comment: i work at the hospital and do not want to get two buses there and back ever day

Name: Anthony K
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LL
Comment: The A bus is my lifeline for visits to Luton and beyond. I use it for Luton home matches as do numerous other people. What is the point in spending all those millions on the busway if Arriva have no intention of providing a service for the people.

Name: Patricia E
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5th
Comment: The service is adequate as it is. If the novelty is just being able to drive the new roads then just add an additional service don't take away the a bus!

Name: Lucy C
Location: Dunstable Lu5 4pn
Comment: In have family members who rely on the A bus for work and now it's all going back to the way it was before the busway and will take them twice as long to get to work

Name: Anne T
Location: Houghton Regis LU55Jf
Comment: Not only are they changing the route they are putting up the monthly fares. Why shouldn't houghton have the right to a bus direct to the airport.

Name: Sue O
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5RG
Comment: These changes will put many local residents at a severe disadvantage. Particularly the elderly and those with restricted mobility. It will make them virtual prisoners in their homes.

Name: Lurlyn C
Location: Dunstable CF44
Comment: As no longer a driver and get about on crutches depend heavily on the buses and got used to the A which connects to train and Luton itself from Houghton Regis and Z for hospital appointments.

Name: Rob L
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: It will have a detrimental affect to all residents in our area

Name: kim B
Location: houghton regis CF3
Comment: This is a vital link for local residents

Name: Warren H
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5hn
Comment: I get the A bus from houghton to Dunstable to work.

Name: Caroline M
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5 uf
Comment: I live in the Windsor drive area and use the bus daily to my place if work the Hospital. I also use it to get to Luton town centre and dunstable town centre. I don't own a car so I rely on the buses. It seems like your customers on this area have been forgotten about. Thanks arriva

Name: Pam H
Location: Houghton Regis lu5 5se
Comment: I. find this idea with the buses very confusing
Name: Pam G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5QE
Comment: To not have a bus going to the hospital is unacceptable. We are a town that is growing and will double in size and needs access to the hospital and other sevices .

Name: Elizabeth Johnson
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5uh
Comment: Take me 2 buses to get to work so now even more money to flipping spend

Name: SharonB
Location: Greenfield mk45 5dg
Comment: My parents live on Parkside Drive and rely on the bus to get them to do their shopping, doctors, hospital etc. This is a lifeline being taken away for them and many other people who totally depend on the buses to go about their normal life. Taking these routes away will limit some people's ability to get out and about and in the long term will affect their health both physically and mentally. This needs a big rethink! Come on ..... do the right thing and give the bus route back!!

Name: Ashleigh R
Location: houghton regis lu5
Comment: i love seeing my friends i have no other why getting there my mum has 4 kids and getting a buggy taxis cost alot and these buses are really popular please what ever u do not stop this bus i beg

Name: Samantha Thomlinson
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5UE
Comment: I suffer from Bi-Polar and personality disorder. I don't drive . I have my mental health groups in Dunstable. I use the service all the time. The system works,why change? This will severely impact on my mental and disability health.

Name: Gazmend R.
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rp
Comment: This decision will directly have an impact on our lives as my wife takes the buss everyday to Luton and Dunstable,

Name: Sinead K
Location: London Lu5 5ed
Comment: I am signing because not being able to drive and having bad health and always having to go to doctors and hospital cutting this bus route will stop me being able to get there as I can't afford taxis all of the time

Name: Angela W
Location: HOUGHTON REGIS LU5 5PF
Comment: HOUGHTON Regis is expanding rapidly......and the least we can ask for is a decent bus service that benefits all the residents of Houghton !!! What do we pay council tax for .....we pay more and more each year and the services in the town are getting less and less!! Shame on you ARRIVA!!!!

Name: Hazel E
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rw
Comment: This is an idiotic decision which will have a major impact on those who require public transport to facilitate aspects of daily living.

Name: Pamela H
Location: Houghton Regis LU55HX
Comment: It was fine the way it was. Name: Samantha B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5LU
Comment: I'm signing this because I personally think this is wrong, what about all the people who don't drive and are now going to be stuck in their house? No one can really afford to be paying for a taxi everyday. I know I for sure can't. Also all them elderly people who use these buses are going to now lose their independence, it's so sad really...

Name: Liam D
Location: hatfield AL10 0HF
Comment: I am signing this because I use this bus quite a bit to go see my mum in Houghton and to see my partner mum as well and his aunt do something useful and don't get rid of the service the z bus takes way to long

Name: Kelly B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5df
Comment: If they cancel this route it would mean walking 20 mins to a bus stop in order to get the correct bus for work into Luton centre

Name: Vasil I
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55rp
Comment: I'm signing because i use the bus
Name: Yvonne F
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5ST
Comment: The bus service is brilliant the way it is now - if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Name: Charlotte D
Location: Luton Lu4 0tt
Comment: I disagree with the changes. It easier enough to change something which dosent effect you forgetting those it does effect .

Name: Susan S
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rl
Comment: I will be cut off from my children the hospital Dunstable etc what's the point off a bus pass if I can't use it

Name: Angeline R
Location: Houghton Regis LU55DB
Comment: This effects my route to work. Will just have to use car again. Furious

Name: Sean M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5TR
Comment: I do not really see the need for the change as the service more than adequate as it is

Name: Deborah H
Location: United Kingdom LU5 5EA
Comment: we have paid enough of our public money on this bus way to service our town, no way should we be seeing cuts in it.

Name: Linda T
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5DN
Comment: My daughter uses the z bus from Tudor Drive to get to work in Luton;now she will have a 10minute walk to a bus stop and a bus journey of 50 minutes

Name: Nicola P
Location: Houghton Regis lu55qb
Comment: This stops running its the elderly who will suffer the most.

Name: Michael P
Location: Dunstable LU5 4HX
Comment: I can understand the changes to the A bus but the Z buses should maintain their existing calling points and not cut out people who have relied on them.

Name: Lyn B
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5pu
Comment: How can they cut the bus route not everyone has cars to use,people need a service to get to school college work ect.

Name: Sophia B
Location: Dunstable lu6 1lz
Comment: I like the bussway the way it is and find it very convenient the way its already layed out.

Name: Andrea M
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5AZ
Comment: My parents use the A & Z bus all the time with their bus pass to come and visit me in Dunstable to see their Grandson.

Name: Georgiana S
Location: Silver Spring
Comment: Outraged with this change to the buses in Houghton Regis/Parkside. I use the bus regularly as does my partner - not to mention the bus loads of people we encounter from the Houghton Regis Area on the full buses we have been on. We have never been on a bus that was not packed out on the A or Z route through the Houghton Regis/Parkside area. This change will make getting to and from Dunstable ridiculously long not to mention getting to and from work a lot longer and far more a hassle. The people that proposed this have obviously never ridden the route and talked to the people on it to see if this change was needed or wanted. The only change the A and Z buses required were more of them more frequently as they are always full. Absolutely disgusting!

Name: Lois P
Location: Luotn LU4 0RG
Comment: It is not acceptable to take this lifeline away from the elderly and disabled. Buses help people stay active, engaged, involved; removing this essential service will reduce quality of life for some of our most vulnerable residents.

Name: Rebeka H
Location: Bedfordshire Lu55te
Comment: I'm losing my only way to commute to Luton train staion for work I can walk that far and depend on the train along with everyone else in the Windsor drive area you have chosen the sake of 4 minutes off your rout over serving more than 10 bus stops absolutly desgusting!

Name: Stefanie H
Location: Leighton Buzzard LU7 2YQ
Comment: The vulnerable will suffer when bus routes are removed. Perhaps a marketing campaign to increase bus usage would be a start, making clear that it's up to everyone to keep routes viable.

Name: Rachel G
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 5JP
Comment: I use the A service, if these proposed changes go ahead it will make getting about with my baby very difficult, way to isolate people Arriva!

Name: Janet O
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: Please do not change the bus routes, or remove. Because without them I can't get to the hospital, I'm disabled and I rely on the buses to get me to my appointments. And I need to get me out of the house, so I go to Luton. If we lose theses buses you will be trapping me in my house, and my friends. There are a lot OAPs that need those buses. Think how would you feel if you couldn't go out, we can't afford taxis, and we don't all have cars.

Name: Mary F
Location: houghton regis lu5 5dn
Comment: This is a valuable service for our community.

Name: Linda V
Location: Luton lu2 0jl
Comment: You are taking away direct links The current A and Z were finr. if it is not broke dont mess with it

Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: Houghton Regis is never studied.

Name: Brenda Hart
Location: Bedfordshire LU5 5NQ
Comment: The travelling public in Houghton Regis had no idea this was to happen till it appeared on the Houghton Regis Page.What was Arriva trying to do get it changed by the back door and hope that the customers would not know it was changing until it happened.This is an insult to the intelligence of those concerned.Arriva Bosses you are pathetic and ignorant. Have you thought about your drivers who are going to take the flak on their routes.Of course not ,you are not going to be in the driving seats are you. You are not only ignorant,but I believe unqualified in your Jobs .

Name: Cheryl F
Location: Stanbridge LU7 9JD
Comment: This directly affects my elderly mother who is 87 years old and does not drive. There are many more elderly people with limited income in a similar position, as well as young families with children. Also, it is not safe for people to walk local streets late at night - these changes mean many will have to do so more frequently.
Name: Vicky W
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5rj
Comment: My elderly Grandmother will no longer be able to get the bus directly to dunstable. I feel having her waiting around for bus changing just to do shopping is outrageous and make her and many elderly people vulnerable and even make some elderly people house bound.

Name: Sarah S
Location: Victoria V8N3H9
Comment: My elderly aunt will be affected and she has no other transport.

Name: Lesley W
Location: Dunstable LU5 4LW
Comment: I don't suppose the person who drew up the new routes has ever travelled in that area!!!

Name: Marion P
Location: Houghton Regis Lu5 5dn
Comment: The bus service is fine as it is to travel from Houghton Regis to Luton now going the other way will take longer I thought the idea of the bus way was to make journeys quicker why cant they just change the letter of the z bus when it reaches asda

Name: Jonathqan V
Location: Houghton Regis LU55LX
Comment: Doubles my journey time into Luton, wasn't the busway mean't to encourage people not to drive to Luton which now because longer bus journey times puts them back in thier cars. So a backward step.

Name: Sarah B
Location: Houghton Regis LU5 6JE
Comment: Ridiculous bring back A service to Houghton regis

Name: Janine D
Location: Bedfordshire UK
Comment: Promises of a good, improved, service were made priot to the build of the bus way, but now, of course, the residents of Houghton Regis are being let down. The A route is an important link to Luton and London. We need an improved service with greater connectability not worse!

Name: Hannah J
Location: Houghton Regis Lu55qf
Comment: I've just waited 45 minutes for a bus to the airport which never turned up. With bus drivers telling me it will be the next one, making me late for work. I now have to get two busses, even though arriva stated I could get a z to Dunstable which would change to an a.

Name: Lu L
Location: luton lu50uj
Comment: My mum relies on these buses to get to the hospital twice a week.. and my kids use it to get to work.. this new set up is ridiculous & like someone above mentioned it may not effect those who don't use the bloody service... but those that do it will..

Click Here for More Houghton Regis Notes

Thursday 11 May 2017

A5-M1 Link (Northern Bypass)

A5-M1 link road opened 11th May 2017.

The A5 Trunk Road (A5 – M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass) Order 2014

The route of the main new road is about 5.2 kilometres in length, from a point on the plan marked A on the A5 Trunk Road, about 400 metres northwest of the centreline of its junction with Thorn Road at Houghton Regis in the County of Bedfordshire, easterly to a point on the plan marked B, about 250 metres southeast of the centreline of Sundon Road Railway Bridge at Chalton in the County of Bedfordshire.

See Legislation.gov.uk