Bedfordshire

Bedfordshire Police’s roll out of touch-screen terminals in supermarkets to enable residents to report crime will not be continued, the new police and crime commissioner has said.

Common mistaks could put you at risk from criminals 😨

The A421 has reopened between Renhold and the Black Cat Roundabout.

A Keysoe resident has been ordered to reduce the “extraordinary number” of pigeons they kept at their home, a meeting heard. Members of Bedford Borough Council’s Planning...

A crew from Kempston was called to a blaze in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday).

Police swooped on a property in Eversholt yesterday (Tuesday) following a tip-off from a member of the public.

A decision to decide a retrospective planning application for a Wixams home-based hair salon has been deferred by borough councillors. And the chair of Bedford Borough...

Bedfordian Emma Bradley and her husband Phil have been speaking about what it means to be Shared Lives carers, who share their home and family life with adults with learning disabilities...

A Keysoe resident has been ordered to reduce the “extraordinary number” of pigeons they kept at their home, a meeting heard.

Bedford Radio said it has been “slapped in the face” by a lack of support from the Borough Council to cover this weekend’s River Festival. But the council said its long-standing policy...

Officers nicked a "prolific burglar" in Bedford who was wanted for failing to appear at court.

A decision over a retrospective planning application for a Wixams home-based hair salon has been deferred by borough councillors.

Half of the Bedford borough GP referrals to Mount Vernon Cancer Centre came from one ward, a meeting heard.

Login details were also allegedly stolen 😨

Bedford’s taxi drivers are disappointed that they weren’t included in Bedford Borough Council’s river festival travel options, saying it's created a "haven for private hire...

Avoid the M1 at the moment (Wednesday) as a crash has caused huge tailbacks.

Four men felt the strong arm of the law after getting caught going equipped to a burglary in Putnoe.

If it sounds too good to be true - it probably is 🙅‍♂️❌

Expect delays of an hour northbound and half an hour southbound on the A1 (Tuesday).

Over the past 6 months, the region has experienced especially heavy rainfall, with saturated ground conditions and rapid run-off into rivers and ditches in areas including Leighton Buzzard, Blunham, Tempsford, Maulden, Clophill, and Caddington. During Storm Henk in January, 90 flood-related issues were reported to us, and an additional 28 issues were reported following a single storm in February.

Following a debate at Full Council, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Adam Zerny, convened the summit with partners involved in flood risk management across Central Bedfordshire, including the Internal Drainage Board, Highways Authority, Environment Agency, and water and utility companies. The summit focused on identifying existing strategic commitments and exploring new opportunities to improve local flood risk management.

As a result, we and our partners have committed to take the following actions:

• a detailed review of flood risk and mitigation options in Leighton Buzzard
• maintenance works will be carried out in Clophill, Maulden, and Caddington
• works on a culvert in Eaton Bray
• additional funding for natural flood management and surface water reduction
• strengthening emergency response through coordinated, timely and effective action, and continued support for community-based groups to help prepare for flooding

Councillor Zerny said:

Our area has encountered extensive and significant flooding this year, and it's likely this will be repeated in years to come. Such adverse weather has a huge effect on people's lives and that’s why I called a summit bringing together all the different organisations involved to ensure they work together and with our communities.

Already, this is leading to localised strategies to slow water flow through land management, natural flood management, and other engineered solutions. The Council has also responded with gulley cleaning, pipework jetting and ditch clearing.

It is also important we support our communities when flooding occurs. The response to Storm Henk demonstrated the effectiveness of co-ordinated action, ensuring residents have the proper means of contact, tools, and information to take appropriate action.

We’re seeking funding from the Environment Agency to provide community groups with more support to reduce disruption before, during, and after a flood. They are assisted by local Community Emergency Resilience Teams (CERTs), which are established through collaboration between the Council's emergency planning team, residents, and parish and town councils.

There are 32 of these already and we want to help set up and support more across Central Bedfordshire.

Read more about CERTs, including how to establish one in your local area.

Bedford shoppers are being urged to support a campaign ensuring youngsters get nutritional food this summer.

Bedford shoppers in the area are being urged to support a campaign ensuring youngsters get nutritional food this summer.

Bus drivers and Unite members are celebrating after settling a pay dispute with Stagecoach.

Bedford Borough is calling on member of the public to volunteer their time to help clean up after the Bedford River Festival (20 and 21 July ).The Bedford River Festival attracts around 300,000 people across....

Each of the five town councils has been allocated nearly £92,000 to enable projects that will enhance local economies and community spaces. It demonstrates Central Bedfordshire Council’s recognition of the importance of high streets and town centres in creating vibrant local places with a strong sense of community identity and pride.

An additional £29,600 of government funding has been allocated to each of the five councils to fund various community and cultural projects. Activities include establishing a film club, telling the story of the town's heritage, and delivering events to develop the daytime and evening economy.

The five towns are Biggleswade, Flitwick, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, and Houghton Regis, led by their respective town councils, each of which made their bids to the council setting out the work they felt would have the most impact.

Biggleswade Town Council

Rejuvenating the heart of the town, with better walkways, new heritage and directional signs, a digital information board, and improvements to Century House public toilets.

Flitwick Town Council

The funding will contribute to transforming the former Barclays Bank building at 3 Station Road into a vibrant two-storey restaurant with an adjacent retail unit, with the aspiration to reintegrate a post office into the town.

Leighton-Linslade Town Council

Installing new benches that incorporate trees and planters along Leighton Buzzard Market Square and the High Street.

Dunstable Town Council

Water refill stations across the town, the creation of an art trail and art installation at Middle Row, improving the power supply in Grove House Gardens, solar benches in Grove House Gardens and the Square, and three solar-powered ‘living pillars’ with plants that increase biodiversity in the town.

Houghton Regis Town Council

Helping set up Houghton Regis in Bloom with planters and hanging baskets, barrier planters and a water storage bowser. A new drought garden at the junction of Parkside Drive and Park Road North will feature plants that require minimal water, ensuring sustainability during dry periods. Work will also include electrical improvements and the replacement of Christmas lights.

Councillor Walsh, Chairman of the Local Partnership Group and Central Bedfordshire Council Executive for Planning and Waste, said:

Our high streets and town centres are integral to the vitality and sustainability of the area and are places where people can shop and socialise, and where businesses can thrive. I have no doubt that these imaginative projects will greatly assist the respective town councils with their plans to improve their town centres, many of which are held in high regard by local people and visitors alike. It will be exciting to see the progress of the projects and I’m very much looking forward to visiting the towns when the projects are completed.