Houghton Regis News Desk

Is this the face of the man who made a serious assault of a sexual nature on a woman in her late thirties after she attended the Shell Petrol Station in Poynters Road, Dunstable? This artist impression of the man police would like to track down was shown on BBC’s Crimewatch programme last night (May 30).  During the programme members of the public viewed a reconstruction of the incident which began at 6.55pm, when the victim who is in her late 20s, was leaving the Shell Petrol Station in Poynters Road, Dunstable. As she was driving off the forecourt a man opened the passenger door of her dark grey 4x4 vehicle and got in. The man produced a knife and forced the victim to drive to Tomlinson Avenue, arriving a few minutes after 7pm. An assault of a serious sexual nature then took place at knifepoint. The attack lasted approximately fifteen minutes, during which time the victim sounded her car horn, and managed to switch on the internal light. Despite being petrified during the

Approval for a new road known locally as the "Woodside Connection" has been given.  This will be a 3.3km road running north east from the junction of Park Road North, Poynters Road and Porz Avenue in Houghton Regis to the proposed M1 Junction 11A which will be constructed as part of the A5-M1 Link Road. Work on the road could start as early as May 2014, with completion expected in June 2017. The indication from the road's promoters, Central Bedfordshire Council, are that building would commence at the northern end. The estimated total scheme cost is £38m, with the DfT contributing £5m.  The original proposal included: 3.3km of new road, some single carriageway and some dual carriageway, linking Dunstable and Houghton Regis to the M1 Signal controlled crossings to aid walking and cycling Improved junction at Poynters Road, Park Road North and Porz Avenue A short diversion of Houghton Brook, along with measures to make  flooding in the area less likely in fu

This week in Houghton Regis a Committee was formed for the purpose of giving Crafters an opportunity to share their skills with other Members of the Community, to encourage, promote, teach and work together one day a month in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere over a cup of coffee.   This new venture is asking people from all walks of life, Homemakers, Skilled Workers, Factory owners, Printers, Shops and Hobby Crafters  to donate certain items that they feel will be of use to the Community of “Craft and Coffee”.   The spokesperson for the group said, "We're looking for items such as card, foam, wool, fabrics, paper, plain tiles, netting, beads, paint, glue, small glass jars, knitting needles, silks or cottons, crochet hooks, paint brushes, stamps, and anything else that you feel can be used in Craft....The list is endless....." The group say that anything donated over and above what is needed for the Craft and Coffee days will be put to raise funds for the group in a

An old building opposite Morrison's supermarket, at 74-76 High Street, has been given permission to have its superstructure demolished as it is now unsafe. But in a twist to the decision, it has been made absolutely clear to the applicants that removal of the foundations would be subject to a separate planning application. The "Oddmans" building was of special interest to a heritage group in Houghton Regis, but the building did not have any protection in law, such as Listed Building status. A planning application to redevelop the site for apartments was turned down last year. The applicant had noted that the building was of historical significance  from its social context and form of construction, but added that "it has been extensively modified over the years and only retains part of the original construction". They also expressed the feeling that "the value of attempting to retain the redundant building in its current form is not felt to outweigh the ne

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan is due to be open for public consultation on Monday, 20 May. The draft Plan, which includes a recommended ‘short-list’ of sites for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation, will be open for consultation until Monday, 1 July. Copies of the documents will be available on CBC website and at council offices and libraries. Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities (Strategic Planning and Economic Development) said: "Our Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan has provoked some strong reactions and the ‘short-list’ of sites has certainly caused considerable debate. It’s important that we try to meet the housing needs of all our local communities – yet we also want to fully understand the potential impact of our proposals. The upcoming consultation is the best opportunity for you to have your say on it." Anyone who has written or emailed already, should do so again via the questionnaire from the 20th.  The

Get in the frame with Foster Care Fortnight 2013 Central Bedfordshire Council is backing national charity the Fostering Network’s call for people to ‘Get in the Frame’ and think about becoming foster carers. The appeal for people to come forward comes as part of Foster Care Fortnight, their annual awareness raising campaign. Figures released by the charity show that there is a need to recruit an extra 9,000 foster carers in 2013 alone, to provide loving homes and skilled, dedicated care for some of the UK’s most vulnerable children. The campaign is being backed by some big names from stage, television and literature, including Lorraine Pascal, author Jacqueline Wilson and Dani Harmer, who played her most famous creation Tracey Beaker in the popular TV show. Speaking ahead of Foster Care Fortnight Cllr Mark Versallion, Executive Member for Children’s Services, said: "We are asking people to put themselves in the frame this Foster Care Fortnight because we know that foste

A new bus service for the area will make it possible for people in Houghton Regis to travel directly to Morrisons, Asda, and Sainsbury. The new 74 bus starts on 13th May with several journeys a day possible. Shown below is the provisional timetable for part of the service; different schedules apply to Wednesdays and Saturdays. Some routes have been cut, and others enhanced. The 38 service is not affected by these proposals. Centrebus Route X31 Flitwick - Harlington - Westoning - Toddington - Tebworth - Wingfield - Dunstable - Luton (from 7th May) This service will no longer serve Flitwick and Westoning - passengers should use Grant Palmer route 42. This service will no longer serve Tebworth and Wingfield - buses will operate direct via A5120 between Toddington and Houghton Regis. Passengers from Tebworth and Wingfield should use new Community bus 74. Most buses which currently terminate in Toddington will be extended to Harlington. Except for one early morning journey, ther

Local singer/songwriter, Benny Ebenezer from Houghton Regis, has released a new charity single to raise money for Cancer Research UK. He is hoping that his debut single 'Brighter Side', written for his daughter Savi, will raise funds for Cancer Research UK. The message of Brighter Side is one of faith, courage, love and determination to face difficult times more positively. Talented Benny has also created a promotional video to go along with the song from his own professional recording studios in the Parkside area of Houghton Regis. Daughter, Savi, who is studying Performing Arts at the Central Bedfordshire College in Dunstable, is featured in the video along with some of the medical staff from the Chemotherapy Unit in the Luton and Dunstable Hospital. All money raised from this song will go to Cancer Research UK. Donate to Cancer Research UK via Benny's JustGiving Page         Download from iTunes   Benny was diagnosed with leukaemia in 20

School Organisational Changes Central Beds Council (letstalkcentral) have made the presentation from Monday night's public meeting about changes to school organisation available on their website http:// t.co / qFedIkIRk4 The Council have also announced that 96% of those starting school for the first time in September have been given their first choice of schools. ***** Friday Night Stabbing A 22 year old male victim was stabbed on land between Sandringham Drive and Wheatfield Road last Friday evening about 8pm. Police say they have an idea who they wish to speak to about this incident, but anyone with further helpful clues could call them on 01582 394068 where Det Constable Martin Hart, investigating, will be pleased to hear from you. *** CCTV for Tithe Farm A redeployable CCTV camera is to be used in Eddiwick Avenue following a recent robbery that took place in a local alleyway. *** M1: 02 May — 03 May: Delays likely Works location: The M1 Southbound Exit Slip At Junct