Commenting on reports that the replacement of Britain's Trident nuclear missile system is to be delayed by five years, former leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Menzies Campbell said:
The building of the vital 'missing link' of Bedford's Western Bypass is set to go ahead after Liberal Democrat Mayor Dave Hodgson announced that he will use Compulsory Purchase Order powers to overcome the remaining barrier to the project. Mayor Dave has made clear that, with negotiations amongst those with landholdings on the bypass route being thwarted by one landowner, he will take whatever action is necessary to ensure the building of the much-needed bypass. Council officers are now working on a report to enable the Mayor to make a formal decision on the matter. The final section of the bypass will complete a road link all the way from the A421 to the south of Bedford to the A6 to the north of the town.
I have announced this week that, with a funding mechanism in place for the crucial final section of the Bedford Western Bypass, I will use Compulsory Purchase Order powers to overcome the final main barrier to the project and secure the land needed for it to go ahead. There are three parties with landholdings on the route of the 'missing link' between the A428 at Bromham and the A6 at Clapham, including the Council, and one of them is simply being obstructive. I will have no hesitation in using a Compulsory Purchase Order to make sure the project goes ahead as soon as possible.
"I am determined that in future mental health is treated with the same importance as physical health."
Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats, led by Cllr Tim Hill, Stewartby and Wootton Ward, and Mayor Dave Hodgson, have put a motion before Full Council for next Wednesday's meeting calling on all Councillors to oppose the plans for a giant Incinerator near Stewartby.
I launched the new programme of 'deep cleans' of all the public toilets in the town centre today. I was at the toilets by the bus station, under Allhallows car park today, where I tried out the high-powered steam cleaning machine that will be used there on Sunday and Monday. Many residents have told me that the bus station toilets are are not as good as other public conveniences, but of course with the toilets due to be knocked down as part of the redevelopment of this area of the town centre, we are not going to spend vast amounts of taxpayers' money refurbishing them. I have instructed that this deep clean takes place to ensure good standards of hygiene, however, to be followed by a continuing programme in the coming weeks at each of the other town centre facilities.
