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Saturday, 28 May 2022

28 May 2022
Houghton Regis Town Council has created a 'Fun free Community Event For All' on the Village Green for Thursday, 2nd June starting from 4pm.

Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service. 

From 2pm St Vincent's is promoting a disco/ race night with Prosecco and cream scones.

The Met Office say that from Thursday, things look likely to settle down for most with good periods of dry and fine weather. 

Dunstable Downs is likely to be busy as a beacon lighting event takes place, and organisers are trying to encourage people to walk, rather than drive. But, Houghton Regis has it's own beacon to light, so come along and witness that!

Here is a schedule of what is planned by  Houghton Regis Town Council on the village green:

4pm Event opens -  REMEMBER to bring your own picnics.
🔹 Craft Activities for children hosted by the Houghton Regis Youth Council.
🔹 A VIP area for HR retired residents. arranged by the Houghton Regis Later Living Social Group.
🔹 Face Painting from LS Events.
🔹 Music from Perfect Personalised Parties, UK.
🔹Lawn Games to play!
🔹Fairground attractions.
🔹Refreshments in the Pavilion from Jewels Houghton Regis, and, pick up your very own souvenir Jubilee Travel Mug!

Timetable
🕓 4:15pm Last Of The Summer Ukuleles.
🕔 5:00pm Déjà Vu 2 will be performing.
🕕 6:00pm Krisgar Entertainments Jubilee Magic and Puppet Show.
🕖 7.40pm Déjà vu 2 second performance.
🕘 9:00pm-9:15pm Beacon Lighting.

Notes
Beach Shelters may be brought but can be no larger than a  gazebo, please.

Disabled parking to be on the west side of the Village Green (Blue Badge holders only).








Tuesday, 24 May 2022

Peel St Car Park – Experimental Order to be made Permanent

An experimental order for Off-Street Parking at Peel Street Houghton Regis, was discussed on Tuesday at a traffic management meeting of Central Bedfordshire Council. 
An off-street parking order was brought in by CBC to restrict parking to 2 hours as construction traffic at All Saints View was using the car park denying local people the opportunity to park.

The car park ideally serves visitors to the Peel Street surgery and to Bedford Square, but it is not a car park owned by Central Bedfordshire Council. Reading from the report to the hearing it seemed as though the temporary parking arrangements there would be withdrawn resulting in a free-for-all once again at the car park. Remarks in the report stated: 
  • Limiting the parking in this car park provides a challenge to satisfy all needs. Those who previously used the car park under previous restrictions are prevented unless an exemption is issued. The volume of the requests for exemptions, currently at 64 is considered by Highways disproportionate to the problem and resource intensive. 
  • The primary reason for the introduction of the restrictions was due to prevent construction workers preventing use by others and so, now this has stopped due to completion of Priory View it is felt the experiment should come to an end and the signs removed from site, with CBC notifying the landowner of this. 
  • Central Bedfordshire Council has no obligation to provide parking for staff of Bedford Sq or the Dr surgery and promote[s] active other sustainable modes of transport.

Cllr Pat Hamill requested by letter that the scheme continue while all Saints View Phase 2 is underway. Cllr Susan Goodchild told the hearing that the scheme was working very well, and spaces could be found by vulnerable people and wanted to see the scheme continuing.

Cllr Dalgarno said the scheme achieved what they wanted it to achieve, he had received thanks from local residents, no complaints, and recognised Phase 2 of the building construction was underway. He agreed that the temporary order should be made permanent




Sunday, 22 May 2022

Anger Over Hospital Parking Queue




In Luton, an angry local resident has complained about missing her bus because the bus could not pull into a bus stop as it was blocked by a queue of cars.

The woman, who did not want to be named said, “I was waiting for the Z bus outside the L&D hospital and watched as cars queued up to park.  When my bus came I couldn’t get on and it couldn’t discharge its passengers because of the queue. 

“My eyes were drawn to a prominent yellow sign saying ‘Do not queue for car park.  Section 137 Highways Act 1980.  Maximum fine £1000.’ And yet there they were, about 4 cars queuing.  As the car nearest me had the window open I politely pointed out the sign to the lady driver and she said she hadn’t seen it.  I think it may be too high for drivers right underneath it to see it.  She kindly left the queue and drove off allowing the next car to join the queue and the bus nearly to reach the bus stop, but not quite. 

“More waiting for all as I watched an ambulance having to make a 3-point turn to get into the ambulance bay due to two lanes queuing, one for the car park, the other for the zebra crossing.

“I think it would be more helpful to point drivers to the next available space in another car park.  The fear of not being able to park at the hospital and missing my appointment is the reason I use the bus but there may come a day when I can’t walk far enough to catch it, and anyway, it gets held up too! 

“I wonder if the southern end of the road doesn’t need to be designated only for residents, workers and hospital staff and visitors, ambulances, deliveries and buses.  In other words, a NO ENTRY to Lewsey Road unless on business in the hospital or a resident in Lewsey Road and connecting roads, though access for them could be from Leagrave High Street.  Any thoughts?”