Town Centre Development Held up by ‘Appalling’ Tory Blocking Tactics

Local Conservatives have blocked further progress on an exciting riverside regeneration scheme for Bedford town centre in a move described as 'playing politics with Bedford's future.' A scheduled meeting next week of an all-party jury to select a developer to work up plans in consultation with local residents for the 'Riverside North' project has been cancelled after the Tories used a Council blocking procedure to halt this latest step in the process. The move is likely to see any further progress on plans for the regeneration delayed for months, beyond the local elections in May.

The idea of regenerating the riverside area on the north side of the river in the town centre has been around for many years, with a previous 'Riverside Square' development scheme promoted by the Council under the late former Mayor Frank Branston falling through due to the recession. The removal of the Town Hall office block later this year brings the prospect of a new scheme which opens up the riverside from the town and introduces new leisure and retail opportunities. Mayor Dave Hodgson announced these plans a year ago and consultation has been ongoing. However, in the week before an all-party jury was due to choose a developer to begin work on the plans, the Conservatives have suddenly voiced opposition to further progress on the scheme and have 'called-in' the Mayor's decision to establish the jury and continue the process. The 'call-in' means that the Council's Scrutiny Committee will consider the decision, with the process set to be delayed for several months until after the Mayoral and Council elections in May.

Commenting, Bedford Borough Council Liberal Group Leader Cllr Nick Charsley: "It is appalling that the Conservatives are playing politics with Bedford's future in this way. Here we have a wonderful opportunity to allow Bedford town centre to really make the most of its riverside, opening up a new link between the town and the river and drawing more people in to enjoy new leisure and retail opportunities. However, with the Mayoral election around the corner the Tories have adopted their usual stance and are blocking any progress for our Borough, rejecting out of hand the Mayor's all-party approach to working towards delivery of this exciting scheme.'

"The Conservatives have repeatedly refused the Mayor's invitations to get involved on the Council and work for the good of Bedford Borough. Sadly it is clearly no coincidence that while they have retreated to the sidelines to simply sling mud, things are really happening in Bedford Borough now. We have the final phase of the crucial western bypass being delivered, the exciting rowing lake and River Valley Park plans moving ahead and real progress on much-needed town centre regeneration.'

"The Conservatives continue to react against any progress for our Borough, however, and these blocking tactics could be extremely damaging for this redevelopment scheme. We have seen with other plans to redevelop Bedford Town Centre such as those for the bus station that any delay can be extremely damaging. Now the Tories have sprung to life before the approaching elections to block important progress in what should be an ongoing process involving extensive public consultation. Once again the Tories are putting their party interests before the Borough and its residents."