Littering on our streets is utterly unacceptable. Words of condemnation are not enough, however, and that is why we are taking real action to crack down on this form of anti-social behaviour which can blight our neighbourhoods. In fact, there have been a few illustrations in the last few weeks of how our 'zero tolerance' approach in this area means that if you litter the streets of Bedford Borough, you should expect to face punishment.
Responding to Ed Miliband's comments on party funding, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes said:
In addition to my monthly 'bookable' surgeries at Borough Hall, the Pints in the Parishes sessions, various street surgeries and other events, I also hold 'walk up' surgery sessions on Saturdays at locations around the Borough. I have now set out a new monthly schedule of these through to the end of August, which you can see below. If you are in the area at the time, or if you happen to find yourself popping into the cake shop in Sharnbrook for a weekend treat, for example, please say hello and talk to me about any issues you would like to discuss.
With progress continuing apace on the £6 million redevelopment of the Cecil Higgins Art Gallery and Bedford Museum, the new name for the revamped facility was announced recently. The Higgins Bedford is confirmed as its new identity, with the annoouncement coming with a year to go until its opening in Spring 2013. I have been lucky enough to look round the site to see how work is progressing, and it's great to see it starting to take shape.
Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils' record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:
The confirmation from Network Rail that it will replace the riverside path footbridge it removed over the railway line near Prebend Street in Bedford is welcome, especially in light of its initial intention to provide no alternative to the existing underpass, which is prone to flooding and has a notoriously low height clearance of 4 feet 9 inches. The previous footbridge was removed as part of the Bedford element of the important Thameslink Programme improvements to allow for 12-carriage trains, and Network Rail's original approach was to claim that the existing underpass was sufficient for path users and no replacement crossing was required. We objected and after a process of negotiation it accepted our argument that this would represent a loss of a public right of way, and responded with plans to create a new path and underpass with a greater height clearance. Following survey works, Network Rail has now confirmed that they will construct a replacement footbridge instead, with visually striking spiral ramps