You are on Introduction. Skip to the next section.

Introduction

• Related link - For information on Houghton Regis Town Centre please click here.
• Https://www.houghtonregis.org.uk/houghton-regis

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• Comments View
  • Houghton Regis is a small town in Bedfordshire near Chiltern Hills and next to Dunstable.
  • This guide covers the main shopping area of the High Street.
  • The guide runs from the junction with Tithe Farm Road and Bedford Square via the High Street to the junction with Cemetery Road.
  • The shopping area is generally level or with slight slopes.
  • Footpaths are blocked paving, tarmac and paving slabs.
  • There are several zebra crossings and standard crossings along the route.
  • The road surfaces are tarmac.
  • There are many opportunities to sit and rest along the route.
  • The length of the route is approximately 0.4 miles (645m).
  • The guide is divided into several sections with junctions.
  • 1. Junction – Tithe Farm Road and Bedford Square Shops.
  • 2. Section - Tithe Farm Road to High Street via Bedford Square Shops.
  • 3. Junction - Bedford Square Shops and High Street.
  • 4. Section - Bedford Square Shops to B5120 Bedford Road via High Street.
  • 5. Junction - B5120 Bedford Road and High Street.
  • 6. Section - B5120 Bedford Road to Cemetery Road via High Street.
  • 7. Junction - Cemetery Road and High Street.

You are on Getting Here. Skip to the next section.

Getting Here

• By Car:
• Houghton Regis High Street is located approximately 3.0 miles from the M1 junction 11A for links to Luton, Milton Keynes, Sheffield, London and Birmingham using the B5120 Bedford Road and then the A5 to Junction 11A of the M1.
• The High Street is in the town centre and runs from east to west.
• At the east end it joins Tithe Farm Road and The Green at the roundabout.
• At the east end it joins the High Street to become the A5120.
• Parking:
• There is no on-street standard or Blue Badge parking available throughout the High Street.
• There is a car park available on the High Street next to Bedford Square Shops which is free. There is a maximum stay of 3 hours here.
• There is also Morrisons Supermarket car park with free parking for paying customers.
• By Bus:
• There are several bus stops on the High Street with services to Luton, Toddington and Dunstable.
• These services are operated by Arriva Beds and Bucks.
• For more information on Arriva Beds and Bucks please click here
• By Train:
• Leagrave Station is approximately 4 miles away (1.5 hours walk) from the High Street using The Green, Poynters Road, Leagrave High Street, Compton Avenue and Station Road.
• There is not step free access to all platforms.
• Step access is required for platforms 1, 2 and 3.
• There is a taxi rank outside the station.
• This station provides direct trains to Bedford, London St Pancras International, Central London, Gatwick and Brighton.
• The train operator using this station is ThamesLink.
• For more information on Leagrave Station please click here.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• There is no standard on street or on street Blue Badge parking available throughout the High Street.
• There is a public car park available on the High Street next to Bedford Square Shops and this car park is free for a maximum of 3 hours, as shown in photographs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
• There is a car park at Morrisons with free parking for customers using the supermarket, as shown in photographs 6, 7 and 8.
• There is a drop-off point at the front of Morrison's car park close to the High Street as shown in photograph 9.

You are on 1. Junction – Tithe Farm Road and Bedford Square Shops. Skip to the next section.

1. Junction – Tithe Farm Road and Bedford Square Shops

• Tithe Farm Road and Bedford Square Shops are on the east side of the High Street and meet just before the roundabout where Tithe Farm Road, High Street and The Green meet.
• Footpaths in this area are on an easy downhill slope towards the roundabout and an easy uphill slope going away from the roundabout.
• The footpath is concrete paving slabs and blocked paving throughout this area.
• There is a zebra crossing at this junction to cross Tithe Farm Road.
• There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides.
• This is a busy two way road and the road surface is tarmac.

You are on 2. Section - Tithe Farm Road to High Street via Bedford Square Shops. Skip to the next section.

2. Section - Tithe Farm Road to High Street via Bedford Square Shops

• The footpath is a mixture of block paving and paving slabs throughout this section.
• The whole section is pedestrian only.
• There are some easy downhill slopes in this section and some steps which can be bypassed using the easy downhill slopes, as shown in photographs 5 and 6.
• There are several seating areas throughout this section outside the shops, as shown in photographs 8, 10, 13, 15 and 16.
• There may also be A-board signs outside shops along with seating for the cafés.
• There are some stairs to reach the shops on the upper floor opposite Poundstretcher.
• These stairs are deep, well marked and have handrails on both sides as shown in photographs 18 and 19.

You are on 3. Junction - Bedford Square Shops and High Street. Skip to the next section.

3. Junction - Bedford Square Shops and High Street

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• Comments View
  • This junction is where Bedford Square Shops and the High Street meet, next to Bedford Square car park.
  • Footpaths in this area are on an easy downhill slope towards the High Street from Bedford Square Shops, as shown in photographs 1 and 2.
  • The pathway along the High Street is level in both directions.
  • The footpath is paving slabs and block paving throughout this area.
  • There is a zebra crossing at this junction to cross the High Street.
  • There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides, as shown in photographs 4 and 5.
  • This is a busy two way road and the road surface is tarmac.
• Comments View
  • This junction is where Bedford Square Shops and the High Street meet, next to Bedford Square car park.
  • Footpaths in this area are on an easy downhill slope towards the High Street from Bedford Square Shops, as shown in photographs 1 and 2.
  • The pathway along the High Street is level in both directions.
  • The footpath is paving slabs and block paving throughout this area.
  • There is a zebra crossing at this junction to cross the High Street.
  • There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides, as shown in photographs 4 and 5.
  • This is a busy two way road and the road surface is tarmac.

You are on 4. Section - Bedford Square Shops to B5120 Bedford Road via High Street. Skip to the next section.

4. Section - Bedford Square Shops to B5120 Bedford Road via High Street

• On both sides of the road the footpaths are generally over 2.5m wide and level with some uneven sections throughout.
• There is a side road to cross on the left pathway with tactile paving and dropped kerbs to cross Whitehouse Close, as shown in photograph 3.
• There is a side road for the car park to cross on the right pathway which does not have tactile paving but does have dropped kerbs, as shown in photograph 4.
• There is a zebra crossing to cross the High Street just before you reach the A5120 Bedford Road junction. This crossing has tactile paving and dropped kerbs, as shown in photographs 8 and 9.

You are on 5. Junction - B5120 Bedford Road and High Street. Skip to the next section.

5. Junction - B5120 Bedford Road and High Street

• This junction is where the High Street and the A5120 Bedford Road meet.
• Footpaths in this area are on an easy downhill slope towards the High Street from the A5120 Bedford Road and level along the High Street, as shown in photograph 1.
• The pathway along the High Street is level in both directions.
• The footpath is paving slabs and block paving throughout this area.
• There is a zebra crossing at this junction to the B5120 Bedford Road on the right pathway.
• There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides, as shown in photographs 2 and 3.
• There are no other safe crossing points at this junction.
• This is a busy two way road.
• The road surface is tarmac.

You are on 6. Section - B5120 Bedford Road to Cemetery Road via High Street. Skip to the next section.

6. Section - B5120 Bedford Road to Cemetery Road via High Street

• On both sides of the road the footpaths are generally over 2.5m wide and level with some uneven sections throughout.
• There is a side road to cross on the left pathway with tactile paving and dropped kerbs to cross Kings Street, as shown in photograph 5.
• There is another crossing on the left pathway just after the previous crossing to cross Morrisons car park entrance. This is a zebra crossing with tactile paving and dropped kerbs, as shown in photograph 6.
• There is a zebra crossing to cross High Street just before you reach Morrisons, which has tactile paving and dropped kerbs, as shown in photograph 9.

You are on 7. Junction - Cemetery Road and High Street. Skip to the next section.

7. Junction - Cemetery Road and High Street

• This junction is where High Street and Cemetery Road meet.
• Footpaths in this area are level in all directions and are a mixture of block paving, paving slabs and tarmac.
• There is a zebra crossing at this junction to cross Cemetery Road on the left pathway. There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides, as shown in photograph 3.
• There is a zebra crossing at this junction to cross the High Street just beyond this junction from both pathways.
• There are dropped kerbs at the crossing point with tactile paving on both sides, as shown in photograph 4.
• There are no other safe crossing points at this junction.
• This is a busy two way road.
• The road surface is tarmac.

You are on Accessible Toilet (Bedford Square Shops). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (Bedford Square Shops)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• Location and Access View
  • The toilet is for the sole use of disabled people.
  • There is pictorial and written text signage on or near the toilet door.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 100m (109yd 1ft) from the car park.
  • This accessible toilet is located next to Houghton Regis Library and opposite Lloyds Pharmacy at Bedford Square Shops.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a unisex toilet.
  • A key is required for the accessible toilet.
  • The key is a radar key.
  • The key can be obtained from the local council offices.
  • The door opens outwards.
  • The door is locked by a locking handle.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The door is heavy.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 135cm x 230cm (4ft 5in x 7ft 7in).
  • There is not sufficient turning space in the cubicle for a wheelchair user.
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 70cm (2ft 4in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • The tap type is lever.
  • There is a mixer tap.
  • There is an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is not fully functional.
  • The alarm was out of reach (higher than 10cm (4") from floor) when surveyed.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
  • There is a/are sanitary and general domestic waste disposal units.
  • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
• Position of Fixtures View
  • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • There is a mirror.
  • Mirrors are placed at a lower level or at an angle for ease of use.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 45cm (1ft 6in).
  • There is a hand dryer.
  • The hand dryer cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The hand dryer is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is not a towel dispenser.
  • There is a toilet roll holder.
  • The toilet roll holder can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is not placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is good.
  • There is a high colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is good.
  • There is a good colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • The lighting levels are medium.

You are on Standard Public Toilets. Skip to the next section.

Standard Public Toilets

• There are no standard public toilets available in High Street.
• There are several cafés, restaurants and a large Morrisons supermarket with both accessible and standard toilets available to paying customers.

You are on Access Guides Available For (Houghton Regis). Skip to the next section.

Access Guides Available For (Houghton Regis)

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• Shopping View
  • Poundstretcher - To view the access guide please click here (new tab).
• Leisure and Entertainment View
  • Houghton Regis Community Centre - To view the access guide please click here (new tab).
• Other Services View
  • Houghton Regis Library - To view the access guide please click here (new tab).
  • Lloyds Pharmacy - To view the access guide please click here (new tab).