Mayor Dave Hodgson has announced another expansion of his popular programme to install average speed cameras where local communities have called for them.

The extension of the programme is in defiance of the government's refusal to reinvest any of the fines generated to the local area, and instead to hoard the cash in Whitehall.

In response to residents in communities across the borough naming action on speeding as a top priority, in 2012 Mayor Dave made Bedford Borough the first place in the country to introduce the more effective average speed cameras on local roads.

The first set was erected in Milton Ernest, and the village along with other communities to have cameras installed have witnessed their dramatic impact in reducing speeds. Now, as part of budget proposals published this week, another five locations are set to benefit from the improved public safety and enhanced quality of life that the cameras can deliver in speeding hotspots.

Commenting, Mayor Dave Hodgson said: "Residents in communities were across the borough tell me that action on speeding is a clear priority for them, so it's a clear priority for me. That's why we made Bedford Borough the first place in the country to install the more effective average speed cameras on local roads, and it's why I'm announcing a further expansion of this popular programme today.

"We could do even more if central government returned some of the fines to the local area for the benefit of local road users. But this new batch of sites will mean another five communities benefit from improved road safety and quite simply a better quality of life for local residents."

As part of a range of additional services and support for rough sleepers in Bedford Borough this winter, twenty new overnight beds are available every night through to 31st March.

The new beds are provided via partnership between Bedford Borough Council and the charity SMART, which runs the Prebend Day Centre and extended outreach services. SMART's Chief Executive Anita McCallum is pictured here with Mayor Dave.

Mayor Dave Hodgson welcomed leader of the Liberal Democrats Rt Hon Sir Vince Cable to Bedford Borough yesterday, with the former Business Secretary hailing Bedford Borough's remarkable record on investment and jobs growth under Mayor Dave.

Their first visit was to the emerging Bedford Link Logistics Park west of Kempston. When completed, this development will feature five commercial units, with hundreds of new jobs being created on site. Mayor Dave and Sir Vince conducted media interviews and were then shown more of the site by representatives of the development.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has thanked the firefighters who tackled the large fire at the Shires House building on the former north wing hospital site in Bedford.

Up to 60 firefighters tackled the blaze on Thursday night at the disused, Grade II listed building, which was destroyed. There were no casualties.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has wished a very Happy New Year to all.

Writing in his latest email update, Mayor Dave offered his best wishes to all for 2019, and also looked ahead at some of the major projects for which 2019 will be a very important year.

You can sign up to receive regular email updates here, and in the meantime here's what Mayor Dave had to say in his email today:

On the 100th anniversary earlier in December of women being able to stand as MPs, Mayor Dave Hodgson was invited to unveil a new blue plaque in honour of Amy Walmsley, the renowned educationalist and pioneering politician.

The plaque is located in The Crescent in Bedford, on the site of the Froebel Kindergarten School and Training College which Amy Walmsley led for many years, and which became Bedford Training College for Teachers.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has wished everyone a very Merry Christmas, and paid tribute to members of the emergency services working over the Christmas period.

Mayor Dave said: "I want to wish everyone very Merry Christmas. A special thanks at this time of year to everyone who has to work at Christmas and be away from their loved ones, especially members of the emergency services who work on behalf of us all to help keep people safe and well."

With changes to Bin collection days over the Chirstmas and New Year period, you can check your collection days on the Bedford Borough Council website here.

Mayor Dave Hodgson also posted the link on his Facebook Page, while hailing the efforts of the refuse collection teams throughout the year, as follows: "Thanks as always to all members of our refuse collection crews for the job they do throughout the year, in all weathers. They've had it all this year, from snow and ice early in the year, soaring temperatures in the summer and plenty of wet and windy days to boot. Thanks again to all of them."