Bizarre boundaries in Bushmead are now clearly marked with new road signs to show where Luton and Central Bedfordshire start and end.
The four signs in Cromer Way cost Luton Borough Council £80 each, and mark the boundaries about 700m apart.
The boundary split through the estate has long been a bone of contention for residents, particularly as those in Central Beds pay more council tax than their Luton neighbours.
Cromer Way resident Fred Harper said: “This [situation] is ludicrous enough, but now the good old council have decided to waste taxpayers’ money in advertising the fact to everyone who drives through the estate. People will think they are going mad; to be in Luton one minute, then in Central Beds, then back in Luton.
“You really couldn’t make this situation up. As if the situation is not silly enough the council feels the need to advertise it.”
A Luton Borough Council spokesman said as different sections of Cromer Way fall in the Luton and Central Beds areas, the signs are there to inform the public of which council to contact should they have a query regarding the road, such as to report potholes.
Resident James Ashby said: “These signs just underline what I’ve said before; having part of so-called Central Bedfordshire in the middle of Bushmead is totally ludicrous. Different taxes, different bin collections, road sweeping, grass cutting...and to compound matters now, we have taxpayers’ money wasted on signs to point this stupid situation out.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Bushmead is in Luton, not ‘Central Bedfordshire’. It’s high time this ridiculous situation was resolved and Bushmead’s ‘Beds half’ was part of the LBC footprint.”
A Cromer Way resident who did not wish to be named said: “Have they put these signs up for the benefit of the two different council teams of grasscutters or refuse collectors? I can see no other reason for them, it just all seems a bit silly.”
> What do you think? Have your say, our contact details are on page 2
Comments