WATCH - Mayor Dave on the Need for Government Investment in Key Road Routes

Mayor Dave Hodgson has told BBC Look East that the Government needs to show it actually cares about infrastructure by investing in critical road upgrade schemes in Bedford Borough and the wider region. In comments made during an unconventional interview while travelling along the Bedford Western Bypass, Mayor Dave outlined the reasons why the Government should invest in the dualling of the bypass and other roads schemes proposed by the England's Economic Heartland partnership, whose Strategic Transport Forum he chairs.

You can watch the video here, while in his regular email update, Mayor Dave wrote:

"I took a car journey with a difference the other day, as a BBC Look East reporter took me for a spin along the Bedford Western Bypass to record an interview.

We talked about the need for government investment in major roads infrastructure in our area, following the announcement of the list of 11 priority schemes - including the dualling of the Bedford Western Bypass - that the England Economic Heartland (EEH) partnership has submitted to government for investment in the period to 2025.

As local residents know only too well, while the western bypass has helped take traffic out of the town and given an important extra option for road users, it does get congested at peak times.

That's why we proposed it for inclusion in the list of priority projects, and why we're pleased it's made the cut and been submitted to government as a priority for investment."

You can sign up for emails from Mayor Dave and Bedford Liberal Democrats here.