The next stages of the multi-million pound project to create a new Bus Station for Bedford are now underway with works commencing on 14-28 Allhallows, the parade of shops which back on to the bus station building.
New figures from the Office for National Statistics have revealed the extent of the continuing fall in unemployment in Bedford Borough. The number of people claiming Job Seeker's allowance has fallen by 46% - more than 2,000 people - since February last year. Meanwhile, the age group with the highest proportion of claimants, 18 -24 year-olds, saw a particularly high month-to-month fall between September and October, with the numbers dropping by 16%. This is considerably faster than the regional reduction.
Bedford Borough Council is freezing all of its parking charges for next year, meaning 2015 will be the fifth straight year of Mayor Dave Hodgson's town centre car park charge freeze.
Church Lane Medical Centre is now open, following a formal opening event last week attended by Mayor Dave Hodgson. The surgery is the latest element of a redevelopment scheme which has transformed a shopping parade once notorious for anti-social behaviour into a popular and attractive shopping destination. The centre has seen a substantial upturn in visitors since the opening of a new Aldi food store, new car parking and other works earlier in the project. The opening of the new medical centre provides a tremendous boost for the surrounding community, from where residents have to date had to travel further afield to see a GP.
