Shillington Attempted Burglary - Do You Know This Man?

An alert householder spotted this man coming down his neighbour’s driveway in Hillside Close, Shillington on Friday. (Jan 10)

The neighbour’s house had been subject to an attempted burglary.

The man is described as white, late 20s to early 30s, 5ft 10ins to 6ft tall, slim build, with short dark hair and some stubble on his face. He also had a slightly swarthy complexion and some spots. He spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a black zip-up coat with large pockets at the front, black tracksuit bottoms with three white stripes down the side, and black leather work boots.

If you can help, please contact Det Con Paula Ebdale at Bedford CID direct on 01234  275141, or text the force control room direct or make an anonymous call to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name but you could still receive a cash reward.  

Biggleswade A1 Roundabout improvements.

Previous post on this subject:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/a1-roundabout-improvements.html

On the 28th December 2013 I asked Central Bedfordshire Council:

As part of this new scheme you are showing a dedicated left hand only lane on the A1 North which shows A6001(W) and an additional arm has been added to the “longabout”.As far as I am aware there is no A6001(W), where is all the traffic in the left hand only lane going to go??"

CBC denied any responsibility for the scheme despite their contact details being included  for comments.

Having pursued this I have today received an interesting statement from the Senior Project Manager for the  contractor, EC Harris (UK) Limited:

I am the Project Manager for this project on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council and apologise for the delay in responding (I have only today seen sight of your email). This stub road is a farm access only and will have signing and a gate to prevent unauthorised access. It also provides a facility for any future expansion to the west should this be required. A full explanation is given below.

The proposed highway improvements to the A1 roundabout junction with the A6001 London Road, south if Biggleswade, provide significant capacity improvement to the existing junction in order to minimise impacts from traffic flow increases generated from development within Biggleswade, currently benefitting from having planning consent.

Increased traffic movements at the junction will occur over future years to reflect build out of consented development within Biggleswade and from general traffic flow increases along the A1 corridor. The improved roundabout junction is being provided to reflect this demand and has been fully considered by both the Highways Agency and Central Bedfordshire Council (in their capacity as local highway authority) as the most appropriate and indeed preferred form of junction and junction improvement at this location.

Inclusion within the proposed scheme of a new “west” arm to the junction has been provided for future proofing purposes such that if future development to the west of the A1 was deemed appropriate, it could be delivered without recourse to further reconstruction works of the new roundabout presently being procured.

Provision of this west access stub is accompanied by the provision of gates across the stub on completion, permitting access to residents at Beaufort Farm only at this time.

The roadmarking scheme detailed on the construction drawings shows the final scheme which includes future development gaining access from the roundabout via the west stub.

An interim roadmarkings scheme will be implemented until such time that the west access is required for development traffic, this scheme providing two straight ahead lanes and a right turn lane for northbound A1 traffic approaching the roundabout. Access to the west stub will be from the northbound nearside lane as on any roundabout.

The existing southbound left turn lane from the A6001 onto the southbound A1 carriageway is being significantly improved as part of the highway improvement works and is in full accordance with the Design Manual for Roads and Bridgeworks in terms of complying with geometric layout criteria.

Additional to the highway works at the roundabout, the A6001 London Road is to incur a reduction in the speed limit between Pegasus Drive and the A1 roundabout from 70mph to 40mph both during the construction period and thereafter. This will significantly reduce the approach speeds of traffic on the A6001 London Road heading south towards the A1 roundabout and via the improved left turn lane onto the A1 southbound.

The Highways Agency is programming to commence highway improvements on the strategic road network this year which will improve capacity within the region along the A1. The Highways Agency is ultimately responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the trunk road network and is charged with implementing regional capital spend budgets for this purpose.

The Biggleswade Roundabout Improvement scheme is being jointly funded by developers and the Council to reflect identified highway capacity improvements necessary to accommodate recently (and future) consented development traffic. It is not the obligation on the Council or developers to fund the ongoing improvement of the trunk road network to accommodate general traffic growth across the network, this being the responsibility of the Highways Agency.

I hope that the above responds adequately to the point you raise.

A1 roundabout improvements

Work will start soon to reconfigure the A1/A6001 roundabout outside Biggleswade to support Central Bedfordshire Council’s ambitions for growth and employment prospects in the area.

The improved roundabout will now become a ‘longabout’ – a more elongated, oval shaped roundabout, which increases traffic capacity but also makes the area more attractive for development.

The work by the Council and Highways Agency is set to start on 20 January, weather permitting, and will last for approximately six months. It is divided into five phases and there will be a number of diversions in place throughout.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services said: “Clearly the A1 is a very busy strategic route and it is essential that we keep the traffic moving. We will need to narrow the lanes on the A1 and occasionally close a lane but the lane closures will be done at night time whenever possible. Diversions will be in place, but we’re very conscious of the impact on local people and have made sure that none will direct people through the centre of Biggleswade unless it’s essential local traffic, so there shouldn’t suddenly be an influx of cars or lorries.”

The work schedule is designed to minimise disruption to those on the roads and those that live near by.

Cllr Spurr continued: “We are very aware that any roadworks cause disruption and this will be no exception. But we will do everything we can to minimise this and hope that people will be able to see beyond the temporary issues to a much better solution for the whole area.

“We believe it will support and encourage job and housing growth in the area, supporting our ambition to make Biggleswade a great place to live and work. The new configuration will make Stratton Business Park and London Road Retail Park more attractive for development, but it should also prevent HGVs using the town centre as a route because they’ll have a far better option. So it could really improve traffic and the atmosphere in the town.”

“If the ‘longabout’ works as planned, the increase in development could unlock thousands of new jobs, make housing developments to the east of Biggleswade possible and offer more shopping choice for residents. It will take some time, of course, but this is just the start.”

“We would ask that people bear with us throughout the works. We’ll be doing everything we can to minimise disruption and we hope people agree that it will be worth the wait,” Cllr Spurr added.

Biggleswade Asda Armed Robbery

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information following an armed robbery that occurred at Asda supermarket in Church Street in Biggleswade last night (Saturday 4th).

 

The incident happened at 10pm as staff were cashing up the day’s takings. Four masked men entered the store armed with what is believed to be copper pipes designed to look like firearms. They threatened staff and assaulted a security guard, who suffered minor injuries, before leaving with a substantial amount of cash.

 

The offenders left in a dark blue Audi A4 on false ’52 number plates, which was being driven by a fifth offender. They left in an unknown direction and later abandoned the vehicle which has since been recovered.

 

Dc  Surinder Ram, from Bedford CID is investigating and would like to speak to anyone who has information about the robbery or was in the Asda car park before or around 10pm and recalls seeing the vehicle or the men.

 

Armed response vehicles were called to the area as soon as the alarm was raised and extensive search carried out but without success. An investigation into the offence is now underway.

 

Anyone with information should contact Dc Ram in confidence on 01234 275346 or call Bedfordshire police in confidence on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

 

 

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE A PROHIBITION OF WAITING AND LOADING ON VERGES AND FOOTWAYS

PUBLIC NOTICE

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL PROPOSES TO INTRODUCE A PROHIBITION OF WAITING AND LOADING ON VERGES AND FOOTWAYS

　 Reason for proposal: The proposed Order is considered necessary for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road, preventing damage to the road and for facilitating the passage of traffic, including pedestrians. Parking on verges and footways is a hazard and an inconvenience to other road users and causes damage to the highway and underground services. The prohibition covers all of Central Bedfordshire, but is only enforceable when the necessary traffic signs have been installed. Residents and businesses would be consulted before any restrictions are made enforceable in their street.


Effect of the Order:

To introduce No Waiting and No Loading at any time on verges and footways in all roads in

Central Bedfordshire, except for the M1 motorway, A1, AS and A421 trunk roads.

Further Details of the proposal may be examined during normal opening hours at Ampthill, Arlesey, Barton, Biggleswade, Dunstable, Flitwick, Houghton Regis, Leighton Buzzard, Potton, Sandy, Shefford, Stotfold and Toddington Libraries or online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uklpublicstatutorynotices. These details will be placed on deposit until 6 weeks after the Order is made or until it is decided not to continue with the proposal.

Objections: should be sent in writing to the Transportation Manager, Bedfordshire Highways, Woodlands Annex, Manton Lane, Bedford MK41 7NU or e-mail centralbedsconsultation@amey.co.uk stating the grounds on which they are made by 24 December 2013.
Order Title: If made will be "Central Bedfordshire Council (Prohibition of Waiting and Loading on Verges and Footways) Order 201*"
　
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Chicksands
Shefford SG1917 STQ
　

Marcel Coiffait
Director of Community Services
　
25 November 2013
　

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL (PROHIBITION OF WAITING AND LOADING ON VERGES AND FOOTWAYS) ORDER 201*
The Central Bedfordshire Council (the "Council") in exercise of the powers under sections 1(1), 2(1) to (3), 4 (2) and Part IV of Schedule 9 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 ("The Act") and all other enabling powers and after consultation with the Chief Officer of Police in accordance with Part Ill of schedule 9 to the Act, hereby makes the following Order:

1. This Order shall come into operation on day of 201* and may be cited as "Central

Bedfordshire Council (Prohibition of Waiting and Loading on Verges and Footways) Order 201*"
2. In this Order, except where the context otherwise requires, the following expressions have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them:-
"administrative area" means the entire area of Central Bedfordshire Council.
"Civil Enforcement Officer'' means a person authorised by or on behalf of the Council to supervise any parking place and to enforce the provisions of this Order.
"footway" has the same meaning as in Section 329 of the Highways Act 1980.
"road" means all roads, including but not limited to, carriageways, footways, verges, footpaths, lanes, bridleways and all highways maintainable at the public expense within the administrative area, but excluding those roads referred to in the Schedule to this Order.
"traffic sign" means a sign of any size, colour and type prescribed or authorised under, or having effect as though prescribed or authorised under, Section 64 of the Act.
"verge" means any grassed or un-grassed strip of land forming part of the highway.
3. Save as provided in Articles 5 to 7 of this Order no person shall except upon the direction or with the permission of a police constable in uniform or a civil enforcement officer, cause or permit any motor vehicle to wait at any time on a verge or footway in any road.
4. The restrictions imposed by this Order will only apply provided traffic signs are erected as required by the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 and any subsequent amendments or as authorised by the Secretary of State.
5. Nothing in Article 3 of this Order shall render it unlawful to cause or permit a wheelchair, including a mechanically propelled wheelchair, to wait at any time on a verge or footway in any road.
6. Nothing in Article 3 of this Order shall render it unlawful to cause or permit any motor vehicle to wait on a verge or footway for so long as may be necessary, and the motor vehicle is removed from the said verge or footway as soon as practicable following the completion of such purpose, to enable:-

a) the motor vehicle to be used in connection with any of the following operations, namely:-
(i) any building or demolition.
(ii) the removal of any obstruction to traffic.
(iii) the maintenance, improvement or reconstruction of the road
(iv) the laying, erection, alteration or repair in or on land adjacent to the road of any sewer or any main, pipe or apparatus for the supply of gas, water or electricity or any telegraphic line;
b) the motor vehicle to be used in the service of a local authority in pursuance of statutory powers or duties;

c) the motor vehicle of a universal service provider (as defined in section 4(3) and (4) of the Postal Services Act 2000) to be used for the purpose of delivering and/or collecting postal packets;
d) the motor vehicle to be used for fire brigade, ambulance, police or special forces purposes;
e) the motor vehicle to wait in any case where the person in control of the vehicle is required by law to stop, is obliged to stop so as to prevent an accident or is prevented from proceeding by circumstances outside his or her control.
f) the motor vehicle to wait on a verge or footway while any gate or other barrier at the entrance to premises to which the motor vehicle requires access to or from which it has emerged is opened or closed, if it is not reasonably practicable for the vehicle to wait otherwise than on that verge or footway.
7. The restrictions imposed by this Order shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any restriction imposed by any restriction imposed by any Regulations made or having effect as if made under the Act or by any other enactment.
GIVEN under the Common Seal of the Central Bedfordshire Council this xxxx day of xxxx 201*
　
THECOMMONSEAL THE ) CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL ) was hereunto affixed in the ) presence of: )
　
Signed ..........................................


　
CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL (PROHIBITION OF WAITING AND LOADING ON VERGES AND FOOTWAYS) ORDER 201*
SCHEDULE
 Lengths of road excluded from the Order

Road
M1 Motorway
　
Description
The entire length, including any slip roads, within the administrative area.
　
A1 Trunk Road The entire length, including any slip roads, within the administrative area.
A5 Trunk Road The entire length, including any slip roads, within the administrative area.
A421 Trunk Road The entire length, including any slip roads, within the administrative area. Statement of Reason
　
The proposed Order is considered necessary for avoiding danger to persons or other traffic using the road, preventing damage to the road and for facilitating the passage of traffic, including pedestrians.

Parking on verges and footways is a hazard and an inconvenience to other road users and causes damage to the highway and underground services.

The prohibition covers all of Central Bedfordshire, but is only enforceable when the necessary traffic signs have been installed. Residents would be consulted before any restrictions are made enforceable in their street.

Further details can be found on the attached draft Order and Public Notice.

If the proposed Order is brought into operation, the following procedure will be followed before the prohibition is made enforceable:-

Stage 1

For a street to be considered for verge and footway enforcement at least one of the following criteria must be met (streets meeting more than one criterion will be given a higher priority):-

1. The Central Bedfordshire Ward Councillor(s) support(s) the introduction of verge and footway enforcement at this location;
2. The Police, Fire Service or Ambulance Service have requested a prohibition;
3. Where the Council has clear evidence that verge or footway parking is affecting the safety of pedestrians.

Stage 2

1. Deliver letters to households and post leaflets on vehicles parking on the verge or footway advising them of the Council's intention to introduce the enforcement of verge and footway parking in that street.
2. Monitor parking activity over a three week period to determine whether the letters and leaflets have resulted in a satisfactory reduction in the level of verge and footway parking.
3. If the problem has been removed take no further action. If the problem has not been satisfactorily resolved or any previous notices have failed to maintain a sustained reduction in verge and footway parking proceed to stage 3.

Stage 3
1. Erect signs to enable enforcement to take place.
2. Undertake appropriate level of enforcement

Kitelands Recreation Ground Lights - breach of planning conditions again - now resolved ??

previous post on this subject 16th December 2013

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/kitelands-recreation-ground-lights.html

17th December 2013 to Planning Enforcement Officer

The lights were off last night at 8.00 pm Monday 16th December 2013 but were back on at 6.00 am this morning.

 

17th December 2013 from Planning Enforcement Officer

 

Good Morning Richard, Thanks for your updates on this. I will speak with the Town Council today.

 

18th December 2013 from Planning Enforcement Officer

 

I spoke with Louise the Deputy Town Clerk of Biggleswade Town Council earlier this morning in respect of the above.

 

Louise confirmed to me that they had had their contractors out to alter the timer.  I told her that only yesterday I had received a further email stating the timing was still not in accordance with the approved hours.  Louise said that she would get on to them straight away and get them out this week to check and adjust as necessary.   

 

Louise was in receipt of my letter formally requesting that this be altered and I believe that finally we should get this matter resolved.

 

20th December 2013, I am told the lights were in compliance with the Planning conditions in the morning and the evening.

 

It appears the lights have been in compliance ever since.

 

I have sent a thank you email to the Deputy Town Clerk:

 

Louise Wilcox

Deputy Town Clerk

Biggleswade Town Council

 

I understand that we, the residents of Holme Court Aveune and Mead End, who overlook the Kitelands Recreation Ground , have you to thank for getting the lights operating within their authorised timings.

 

The lights were installed as part of the "Safer Routes to School" scheme in 2002 and as far as I am aware had been operating within the conditions until May 2010. Since that time we have been trying to get Biggleswade Town Council to comply with the conditions of the Planning Consent. History attached.

 

Not only do they now appear to operate within the conditions but are not on at weekends.

 

Regards & Happy New Year.

 

Bank Courier Fraud in Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Police have received two reports locally of a national con-trick which

people need to be aware of.

In one instance, an 87 year old man from Kensworth was conned out of £15,000 by

fraudsters using this story this week. Another man, also from Kensworth was

contacted in the same way, but became suspicious and did not hand over any

money.

Both were contacted via phone by someone pretending to be from the police and told

to empty their bank accounts due to a fraud danger. A courier from the bank would

be along to their house when they had done that to collect the money and put it

somewhere safe.

This is a national scam known as the courier scam and it has many variations

but usually follows this method:

 

 A fraudster will cold call you on a landline, claiming to be from your bank or

the police. They state their systems have spotted a fraudulent payment on

your card or it is due to expire and needs to be replaced.

 In order to reassure you that they are genuine, they suggest that you hang up

and ring the bank/police back straight away. However, they don’t disconnect

the call from the landline so that when you dial the real phone number for

your bank or the police, you are actually still speaking to the fraudster.

 They then ask you to read out your PIN or type it on your phone keypad. They

may ask for details of other accounts you hold with the bank or financial

service provider.

 Finally, they send a courier to you to collect your bank card. The fraudster will

have then obtained your name, address, full bank details, card and PIN.

 

Obviously in the Kensworth incident, the courier was collecting the cash which the

victim had withdrawn from his own account. The other intended victim became

suspicious and used another number to contact his bank who told him it was a scam.

Banks do contact customers about potential security threats, but will never ask for

your PIN number, or send a courier to your home, or collect your bank card. Neither

will the police. If you receive a call like this, end it immediately and report it to

 

www.actionfraud.police.uk./  Actionfraud also has a wealth of information about this

and other scams, along with prevention tips and advice for victims.