COUNCIL AND BedfordBID ANNOUNCE PARKING INCENTIVES TO BOOST CHRISTMAS TRADE
Mayor Dave Hodgson ...
                
        
        Mayor Dave Hodgson ...
Mayor Dave Hodgson has signalled his ongoing commitment to boosting Bedford Town Centre with plans for another parking charge freeze for 2012. The announcement comes after the current year's car park charge freeze, which was the first seen in Bedford for many years and which was delivered despite rising inflation and an extremely tough financial situation facing the Council. Now, with inflation at nearly 6% and even greater financial pressures for the Council, Mayor Dave has shown his commitment to supporting shoppers and boosting the vitality of Bedford town centre by proposing a freeze for charges in the council's car parks and for on-street parking.
                
        
        On 27 July, 2012, the eyes of the world will be on London for the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games as the Olympic Flame arrives at the Olympic Stadium for the lighting of the cauldron to signify the start of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
                
        
        Work to create a new signalled crossing for students at the Bedford Academy is now complete.
                
        
        I'm pleased to confirm that St Mary's Street is now open in both directions, as work continues on the major scheme to reconstruct the road after a survey revealed it was at risk of collapsing. The works will continue for up to another three weeks at most, during which it will continue to be at a reduced capacity (i.e. one lane open in each direction). However, it's great to be able to report that vehicles can now travel north over the Town Bridge, which will ease some of the pressure on our road network and help residents in going about their day-to-day business.
                
        
        Bedford Borough Council is currently undertaking a review which I hope will ultimately put right an unequal, unfair situation in the Borough. For historical reasons local residents in some areas have had a say over local concerns through their parish council. In the Borough they have existed for the rural areas and for Kempston, but not for the other urban areas. Brickhill residents put this right in their area 7 years ago, and since then they have also had their own parish Council. I believe Parish Councils play an extremely valuable role in representing local residents and getting things done for their communities. A 'Community Governance Review' is now underway to find out what people in the 'unparished' parts of the Borough think about having a parish council for their area.