Simon Hughes: Labour commitment to capping union donations welcome
Responding to Ed Miliband's comments on party funding, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Simon Hughes said:
23 Apr 2012
News
New Schedule of 'Walk Up' Surgeries
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.
19 Apr 2012
The Higgins Bedford: The New Name for the Redeveloped Art Gallery and Museum
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.
17 Apr 2012
No Liberal Democrat-run council in England has raised Council Tax – Farron
Commenting on Labour and Conservative councils' record on Council Tax, Liberal Democrat Party President, Tim Farron said:
17 Apr 2012
Replacement riverside footbridge is welcome, but wait is far too long
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
16 Apr 2012
Coming Soon: Bedford Borough's Oyster Card!
In the coming months we will be introducing a 'smart card' ticketing system for the bus network across Bedford Borough. The system will work on a similar basis to the Oyster Card in London, allowing local residents to add credit to their smart card when it suits them, online for example, and simply scan it when they get on a local bus.
13 Apr 2012