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Showing posts from January, 2015

Houghton Regis Town Council 2015/16 Budget

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At their meeting on Monday evening, Houghton Regis Town Councillors agreed a budget for 2015/16. An increase in expenditure for the year of £28,724 will be financed by a £10,550 increase in precept, plus the use of General Reserves of £18,174. The net outcome for council tax bills is that there will be no increase in the Town Council's portion of the Council Tax.

Post by Houghton Regis News Desk.
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Tennyson Avenue Planning Application Appeal Rejected

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Land North of Tennyson Avenue between 97 and 119, Tennyson Avenue, Houghton Regis. Application for erection of 6 no. 1 and 2 bed apartments, landscaping and parking. (Resubmission of CB/14/00858) Full Application - Refused by CBC, the Planning Appeal is now Dismissed.

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=CB%2F14%2F02334&index=582264
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Tesco Express in Houghton Regis one of 43 stores to close in cost cutting exercise

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Post by Houghton Regis News Desk.
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Bedford Road Improvements if Taylor Wimpey Homes Get Build Permission

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Revised documents submitted on behalf of a Taylor Wimpey development application list a number of traffic calming measures which are agreed in principle with the highway authority.

1. A new footway would be constructed on the eastern verge of Bedford Road between the site and start of the present footpath, requiring undergrowth and tree removal, and compensatory planting.

2. A raised platform pedestrian crossing positioned about 100m north of Bedford Rd/High Street junction.

3. A raised table at the Bidwell Hill/Bedford road junction.

4. Speed limit reminder signs activated by vehicles, located between Bidwell Hill and Roslyn Way.

5. A mini-roundabout to replace the existing tee-junction at Rosyln Way.

6. A raised pedestrian crossing between the Roslyn Way junction and the proposed entrance to the Taylor Wimpey development site.

7. The present 30/40mph zone limit on Bedford Road, on approach to the town centre, would be extended out into Bidwell by about 170m.

8. Red and white road ma…
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A Letter from the Chief - Protecting People & Fighting Crime Together #communitiestogether

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Following the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, Belgium and around the world, senior counter-terror officers have warned of a ‘heightened’ concern around the potential risk to certain groups including those working in policing and members of the Jewish and Israeli community. This has been much publicised across the national media during the past few days.

I am writing this as an open letter to ask all key leaders and people of influence across every faith in Bedfordshire, to join us in redoubling our efforts to wipe out any prejudice which could jeopardise the safety of those living in, working in, or visiting Bedfordshire.

The vast majority of our communities wish to live in peace alongside neighbours of all faiths. A small few threaten this way of life and we must work together to identify these individuals, to challenge their rhetoric and to reject all forms of hate which risks compromising the safety of our communities. Bedfordshire is fortunate enough to have a richly diverse p…
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Survey - Would You Pay A Bit More For Extra Policing in Bedfordshire?

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The Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins, is considering increasing the amount of the council tax that goes towards policing by 48p a week for an average council tax Band D household – equivalent to 15.8% a year. An increase of 15.8% can only happen if supported by the public in a referendum. But it is only worth the cost of holding a referendum if the Commissioner can be reasonably confident of a positive result. That’s why it is vital that he hears your views.

A 15.8% increase would pay for:
An additional 100 police officers
The re-introduction of police officers to neighbourhood policing
Increased management of prolific offenders
Extra resources to tackle emerging threats such as cybercrime & child sexual exploitation

Early indications posted on OllyMartins Twitter feed from around Bedfordshire suggest that most neighbourhoods would be willing to pay more.

CLICK HERE to start giving your view.
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#PoyntersRoad - The Main Road to Houghton Regis Will Soon Have Speed Cameras On It

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Speed cameras will be installed in #PoyntersRoad from next week. http://roadworks.org/?37715386

A Poynters Rd Action Group had petitioned Central Bedfordshire Council a year ago for 20mph limit : report (http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/documents/s47076/TM%20REPORT%20-%20Poynters%20rd.pdf) ) (see Facebook discussion : https://www.facebook.com/houghton.regis.news.desk/posts/10151880641942944 )
Luton on Sunday 4/Feb/2014 story: http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Speed-cameras-introduced-Poynters-Road-Dunstable/story-21702964-detail/story.html
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The Big Discussion - Off-road Crossers - Bikers

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A reader sent in pictures of bikers marks that have churned up Parkside Recreation ground. In the following 36 hours lots of comments were received. Log in to Facebook to read.




Post by Houghton Regis News Desk.
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Leisure Centre Action Group to Hold Winding Up Meeting #HRLCAG

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Houghton Regis Leisure Action Group have now completed the business they were set up for.

On Monday of this week, HRLCAG Chair, Mrs Tracey McMahon, thanked a meeting of Houghton Regis Town Council's Community Services committee for the local Council's support. She said that £200 remaining in funds is to be returned to Houghton Regis Town Council, as part of the conditions of the Council awarding a grant to them, used to help fight to keep the Leisure facilities open.

The Campaign was successful in bringing about the continuation of dry-side sporting facilities, and the reopening and refurbishment of the swimming pool at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre. The Centre had been threatened with withdrawal of funding, and therefore closure, by Central Bedfordshire Council. Local people got behind the campaign and the Leisure Centre is now under new management and is hugely more successful than it was before.

The Leisure Centre is on Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis.

A meeting to discuss …
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Pizza Delivery Drivers Targeted in Houghton Regis

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Police are appealing for witnesses after several pizza delivery drivers were robbed in Houghton Regis.

Four incidents were reported in the Parkside Drive town during December, with a further incident taking place in November.

In each of the incidents the delivery driver was approached by a group of youths who assaulted them before stealing the pizza.

The incidents happened in: Kirton Way on 15 November; Dellmont Road on December 16; Houghton Road on December 20; Bromley Gardens on December 21 and in Kirton Way on December 29.

Detective Constable Matt Shepherd, investigating, said: “These are very unpleasant incidents which have left the victims shaken up.

“I would urge anyone with information about who is responsible to call police.”

Anyone with any information should call DC Shepherd on 101, text information to 07786 200011 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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Olly Wants Police Precept to Go Up 16% #PPCOlly

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A 15.85% increase on the Police precept for Bedfordshire is proposed by Police and Crime Commissioner, Olly Martins.

He wants to restore neighbourhood policing in the county and to put Bedfordshire Police on a firmer financial footing.

A typical band D property would pay an extra £25 per year towards policing - 50p extra a week per property.

An increase of this scale would require a referendum to secure the agreement of the public, which would be held alongside the General Election on 7 May. This would be the first referendum under the current legislation.

More: http://www.bedfordshire.pcc.police.uk
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Co-Op Site Could be Redeveloped for Sheltered Housing, Retail, and Community Hub Use #hrcoopbuild

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The Co-op site in Houghton Regis
At an Executive meeting of Central Bedfordshire Council on Tuesday this week, early stage plans will be unveiled to redevelop the Co-op site in Houghton Regis.
The plan indicates that the whole site being considered will include Red House Court in Clarke's Way, the whole of the former Co-op car parking areas, including the recycling bins area and the site of the former store.
The former Co Op site is presently vacant and will return to the Council’s full control. What is being considered is within the context of a Sheltered Housing Review.
Newer homes with newer facilities would be built within the site, and then the existing Red House Court building would be demolished with new construction fit for the 21st century replacing it. The Council report emphasises that these proposals are at an early stage and there has been no discussion with residents or local stakeholders, to influence the initial ideas. 
The report states :- "At this early stage, the…
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New Works For Bypass Start on Monday 12th January #HoughtonRegisBypass

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Preparatory works begin on A5-M1 Link

Further work to prepare for main construction of the A5-M1 Link Dunstable Northern Bypass will start on Monday (12 January).

The new two-lane dual carriageway running east from the A5 north of Dunstable to join the M1 at a new junction 11a south of Chalton will reduce and improve journey time reliability for long distance traffic travelling around Dunstable.

The majority of the preparatory work will be offline and involve site clearance on the M1 temporary slip roads, including trimming hedges, bushes and trees. During this work off-peak temporary traffic lights will be in use for local traffic on Sundon Road from 9am until 3.30pm.

There will also be ditch and fencing work east of the M1 in the field adjacent with no impact on traffic.

Temporary slip roads will be constructed on the west and east side of the M1 to avoid heavy site traffic travelling through the villages and to minimise disruption on the carriageway when main work commences. This w…
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£2.2m Heritage Lottery Funding Award for Houghton Hall Park

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Central Bedfordshire Council has been awarded £2,196,000 to deliver a prestigious project for Houghton Regis, it was announced today. The Parks for People programme - a joint initiative between the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund - will support Houghton Hall Park – Renaissance and Renewal Project which aims to restore the vitality of the historic Houghton Hall Park.

Parks for People funding helps conserve the heritage that makes both historic parks and cemeteries special, giving local people a say in how they are managed in the future. Projects improve people’s wellbeing and knowledge of their area and make communities better places to live, work and visit.

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Countryside Access Service, in partnership with Houghton Regis Town Council and the Greensand Trust, intends to celebrate the heritage of Houghton Hall Park while improving facilities to meet the needs of the community.

The project will include
- the restoration of the kitchen and …
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Planning Matters: Town Council to Object to 2 Housing Developments in Bedford Rd - New Take-Away for Tithe Farm

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Houghton Regis Town Council last night objected once again to two applications for housing developments that together would have provided up to 231 new homes on two sites. And there was news that a take-away in Tithe Farm Rd had been granted permission to go ahead.

Representatives from Hunter Page Planning attended the meeting to talk about their proposed development for up to 62 homes in a meadow behind the old Red Lion public house in Bedford Road, Houghton Regis. Councillors quizzed the representatives on predicted impact on local highways, the potential for land flooding, and the need for this land to be developed at all, when the overall redevelopment plans for the area had designated Bidwell as a quiet hamlet entrance to the town. A recorded vote was taken and members of the committee unanimously voted against the scheme. To view this application online, go to http://j.mp/cbcplanning enter 14/03047 in the search box, and follow the links.

In considering the application from Tayl…
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Taylor Wimpey Seek Approval For 169 Residencies off Bedford Road

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Plans to build on 6.84 hectares of vacant land east of Bedford Road are due to be discussed by town councillors in Houghton Regis on Monday evening (5th January).

The plans by Taylor Wimpey are for 169 homes comprising
6 two bedroom homes,
46 three bedroom homes
68 four bedroom homes all at market prices; and

11 two bedroom homes
20 three bedroom homes,
1 four bedroom home, and
18 two bedroom flats at social renting prices.

The site is bounded by Bedford Road, from opposite Red Lion public house to Plaiters Way, and the scheme includes a roundabout to access the site. The eastern boundary is Churchfield Road. A proposed access to route to the Tithe Farm Primary School is included at the north east point of the development. The full application includes car parking, drainage, pumping station, hard and soft landscaping, footway/cycleways, childrens play space and informal public open space, as well as designs for various types of housing.

To view full details, go to http://j.mp/cbcpla…
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DVD Available - A Celebration of Christmas Featuring Houghton Regis Schools

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The Christmas season arrived a little early, on Tuesday  25th November 2014 to be precise,  at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, when Houghton Regis Town Council held their 2nd  ‘Celebration of Christmas’ Performance  to raise funds for the Mayor of Houghton Regis’ chosen charities. 
For More information and pictures from this event please click here 
*PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DVD IS NOT A PROFESSIONAL COPY, AND HAS BEEN RECORDED ON A HOME CAMCORDER AND COPIED IN HOUSE* (some distortion may be present)
THIS DVD IS A MEMENTO OF THE EVENT.
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More Popular Stories

Lidl Plans For 1.2million sq ft Regional Distribution Centre

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by Alan D Winter, Houghton Regis News Desk
Lidl, a family supermarket that takes pride in providing its customers with the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices, is on the verge of starting work on building its biggest ever Distribution Centre on Houghton Regis' doorstep.

Outline plans for the development were agreed under the existing Central Bedfordshire Council consent (CB/12/03613/OUT) and now a reserved matters application has been submitted. The company is now seeking approval for these plans, which could be concluded in March 2020.

The development proposals comprise the construction of a Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) of over  1.2 million sq ft of warehouse floor space, 612 associated car parking spaces, 141 HGV stacking spaces, 196 loading docks, 20 E-charging spaces, a drivers lounge, smoking shelters, two bicycle stores with 104 spaces for bicycles, four haulier cabins, three battery enclosures, a generator enclosure, sprinkler tanks, pump house hydr…
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Angry Resident Wants Peace Back as Chalk Pit Tourism Takes Off

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By Alan Winter updated 27 May

 An irate resident has contacted Houghton Regis News Desk to vent their frustrations about visitors to the Chalk Pit clogging up their unadopted roads.

The resident, who did not want to be named, wrote, “As a resident on Fieldstone, we’re after some help. The quarry has been advertised on social media so it now has visitors from a wide area. They are blocking our residential roads, leaving rubbish and glass everywhere in the quarry. Having BBQs, drinking and meeting for social gatherings. They are drinking and dancing in the streets gone 11pm. There needs to be parking and the quarry managed before all the recent hard work is undone. We want peace back.

“This parking and quarry issue has been going on for the last few weeks after advertising has appeared on social media. We heard someone say they had driven from Milton Keynes, and a neighbour has stated that 5 people he knows from Hemel Hempstead have attended. Just this morning, a friend from work saw it …
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L&D Hospital Mani Car Park Closes From 13 July - Bigger Car Park To Be Built

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Parking for visitors and patients at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital will get a welcome boost by the end of the year, as work gets underway on a new four-level car park on the footprint of the existing Lewsey Road car park.
The new car park will double the current provision for patients and visitors, and also provide more accessible parking as well as bicycle parking for patients, visitors and staff.










The new design will also improve the flow of cars, and reduce queuing and congestion on Lewsey Road.
The existing main visitor and patient car park (on Lewsey Road, opposite the main entrance to the hospital), will be closing on Monday 13 July.
Alternative parking will be available on site, in Farringdon Fields, off Calnwood Road. The Trust is reallocating staff spaces for the period.
But overall numbers may be limited so the Trust is asking patients and visitors not to bring their car if they can possibly avoid it, but to be dropped off instead. A new temporary drop-off point will…
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Consultation on New Secondary School in Houghton Regis

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Initial designs have been produced for a new 1,120 place secondary school, to be built on the Kingsland Campus, Houghton Regis, for September 2022. The proposal includes all the specialist and non-specialist teaching space required, as well as providing a sports hall, outdoor sports provision and car parking. The external appearance of the school buildings is subject to further design work. 
The concept for the new school is based on the superblock model and includes a 3-storey main classroom block, with a separate sports hall. This type of design is suggested by the Department for Education (DfE), and has been used for many new secondary schools across the country
The Council is currently at the pre-planning design stage, and is taking the opportunity to seek the views of the local community ahead of the planning application being submitted. The date for submission of the planning application has been tentatively set for the end of August 2020. 
This consultation is an important part of…
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Bidwell Heights - Go Ahead for New Build Despite Crime Concerns

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A development of 336 homes has been given the go ahead under delegated powers by Central Bedfordshire Council despite Bedfordshire Police having concerns that the layout would encourage crime.

The site is situated between the SSSI Houghton Regis Chalk Pit edge and Blue Waters woodland.




Bedfordshire Police Liaison Objected to the scheme, 'as it is considered that the proposed layout and design would present opportunities for crime'.

See planning layout - (pdf)

Another key concern came from Wildlife Trusts BCN who also drew attention to anti-social behaviour. Their concerns are listed as,

'Concerns regarding development so close to the chalk cliffs associated with the SSSI. The Trust strongly recommend that a robust engineering operation is designed and incorporated into the plans, at this stage of the process, to ensure that the stability of the chalk cliff is not weakened as part of any development that takes place in this location. The Trust also consider that there should…
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Houghton Regis Academy Closure - Public Meeting 10 March

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Updated 2 March 2020

The Secretary of State for Education, in mutual agreement with the Trust, has now made the substantive and final decision to proceed to the closure of Houghton Regis Academy.  However, in order to reduce the impact of the closure,  a proposed closure transition plan has been agreed to which means the Academy will remain open for some year groups until 31 August 2022.

There will now be a ‘listening period’. The listening period is an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties such as pupils, parents and staff to be provided with more information about the proposed closure process. It is also an opportunity for stakeholders to submit their views on how the process can best be managed. This period started today, 28 February, and will end at 5pm on 27 March 2020.

Parkside ward Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) councillor said, “I am aware of the concern the current position will be causing pupils, parents and the wider community at Houghton Regis. I am worki…
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Plans For 66 bed care Home, Nursery & Shops at Lower Thorn Village

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(updated 14 June 2020)As part of the already approved outline development plans for the Lower Thorn area of Houghton Regis, detailed planning applications are now being submitted for a local centre. A decision for these applications is hoped for by mid-August 2020.
Houghton Regis Town Council will discuss the plans on Tuesday 16th June. A final decision will be made by Central Bedfordshire Council. The Town Council's virtual meeting agenda is available to download. If you wish to participate in this meeting you will need to supply an email address before 3pm on the day of the meeting in order to attend virtually by emailing your request. Instructions on Remote Meeting Guidance can be found here.
In all, three planning applications have been submitted to develop a local integrated centre on behalf of  HDD Houghton Regis Retail Limited. 



1. 66 Bed Care Home A 66-bed care home and its associated car park, means of access and landscaping.  Split over 3 floors. If permission were granted…
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Police Appeal After Man Robbed in Houghton Regis

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Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed in Houghton Regis.
At around 10pm on Saturday 1st August, the man was on Bedford Square, near the park, when he was approached by five offenders. The group attacked the victim and stole his phone, his bank card, and a quantity of cash.
During the attack, the victim sustained superficial cuts to his face, stomach and forearm, which required medical attention but are not serious or life-threatening.
The offenders are described as young men, wearing face masks with their hoods up, riding bikes.
PC Helen Pecorini, investigating, said: “Thankfully the victim only suffered minor injuries, but was left distressed by this incident. We are appealing to anyone in the area who may have the offenders before or after the incident.”
Anyone who can offer any help in this matter is asked to get in contact with the police, or contact Crimestoppers.  Alternatively, information about this incident can be reported via police reporting webs…
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Amazon Prime Scam Has Cost Victims More Than £1m

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Bedfordshire Police is issuing a fraud warning after a number of Bedfordshire residents fell victim to a scam, with one losing their entire life savings.

Action Fraud has reported that the scam was first reported in October 2019 and since has cost the victims more than £1 million.

The scam is carried out by phone call, with the victim receiving an automated phone message that they have been charged for an Amazon Prime subscription.

How It Works They are subsequently instructed to ‘press 1’ to cancel the transaction. When they do this, they are directed to a fraudster posing as an Amazon customer service representative.

The fraudster advises the victim that their subscription was purchased fraudulently and that remote access to their computer is required in order to fix a security flaw that will prevent it from reoccurring.

The unsuspecting victim then downloads software which grants the scammers remote access to their computer, including personal and financial information.

Other vari…
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Supermarket Responds to Criticism that Shelves & Fridges were Empty

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Morrisons supermarket in Houghton Regis has responded to complaints that fresh food stocks were depleted and freezers were empty. The complaints were made on a popular public Facebook Group.
The Houghton Regis store is located in a residential area and does have restrictions on the times when lorries can make morning deliveries to the store. 
Writing on the Facebook Group, 'Houghton Regis ......Whats Occurring in our Community???' Laura Donovan, a Logistics Supervisor at Rank Xerox, started off by writing, on Saturday 1st August,
 “Don’t know what’s going on at Morrison’s lately but these past two weeks replenishment of fresh foods is just not happening. This morning at about 10.15am there was no fresh salad products & very little fresh veg. I am not blaming the floor staff as there was a lot of them trying to replenish but it was obvious to me that someone/somewhere in management got it wrong with delivery expectations. I’m sure it’s difficult but if you shop in the 4th larg…
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Houghton Regis local news, events, council news, going on in Houghton Regis and nearby villages, Bedfordshire, UK. Editor Alan Winter

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Houghton Regis News Desk

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