'They need removing': Old signs still point to Leighton Buzzard police station and road narrowing
Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) has been slammed for "forgetting about Leighton Buzzard" thanks to an out of date sign – while the owner of another remains a mystery.
A fingerpost in the High Street still points in the direction of the old police station on Hockliffe Road, which closed down in the early 2000s, and had a care home open on its site in 2025.
Meanwhile, CBC signs for the narrowing of Vandyke Road – a feature that was removed around five years ago – still sit on the approach to Vandyke Upper School.
CBC says that it is not clear who is reponsible for the fingerpost and that removing the road narrowing sign is “not considered an immediate priority”.
Retired police officer Neil Cairns, 80, claimed: "We have still got signs for the police station that closed down [over] 20 years ago. I'm an ex policeman, and I remember it closing; I was moved to Dunstable.
"I think locals have got used to it and don't notice anymore – but if a visitor came into town, and for instance, their car was broken into, they might go looking for the police station."
Neil also claims that the incorrect signs on the approach to Vandyke Upper School are confusing lorry drivers.
The signs sit near the Mile Tree Road/Vandyke Road crossroads and warn that vehicles over two metres tall and 7.5 tonnes in weight cannot enter the town half a mile ahead.
However, since the new estates near Vandyke Upper School were built, the road layouts have changed and the restriction has been removed. Lorries can now continue into the town – either via Vandyke Road or via Briggington Way.
Neil claims: "I have said articulated lorries trying to turn round because of the road narrowing, so I've shouted out, 'it's OK mate, it's open'. It does cause problems.
"I don't think Central Bedfordshire Council cares about Leighton Buzzard.”
A CBC spokesman said: "We are aware of the need to amend the current signage in relation to the width restriction. While updates to the signage are recognised as necessary, these changes are not considered an immediate priority. We intend to update the signs in the future as and when budgets allow.
"We will investigate who owns the police sign, as we do not believe it belongs to us."
A Leighton-Linslade Town Council (LLTC) spokeswoman, said: “The signs pre-date anyone working at LLTC. It’s likely they were installed by the former South Beds District Council as the highways authority at the time.
"The highways authority would normally have ownership of any public realm signage. In this case, it would not be surprising if CBC has no records as the signs will pre-date the authority.”