Bedford Borough Council has completed the first stage of a £1.5millon investment in the Embankment and riverside, which saw the buff coloured walkway resurfaced between Newnham Avenue and Bushmead Road.

During these works, fifteen benches down the Embankment have also been replaced. These new benches will refresh and enhance the look of the Embankment and riverside, and provide better places for people to sit and relax in the beautiful location. The new benches are metal with recycled plastic slats.

There is a consultation on the regeneration and development of the Greyfriars area this Wednesday (29 June), as part of the Local Plan consultation, in the Howard Centre between 11am and 2pm where you can have you say.

You can also give comments online at https://www.bedford.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/have-your-say/consultations/greyfriars-consultation/.

Bedford Borough Council Parking Patrol has already issued 483 parking fines to people parked illegally outside local schools since they started visiting schools during drop off and pick up.

Introduced in November 2021 the Parking Patrol vehicle visits schools around the Borough during drop off and pick up times. Fines are issued to parents parked illegally at locations where danger is caused to school children, parents and other pedestrians either on double yellow lines or on the zig-zag keep clear lines.

It was lovely to see the Armed Forces Parade return to Bedford, this morning, for the first since the Coronavirus pandemic.

There are activities in Harpur Square for the rest of the day if you get a chance to pop down.

Mayor Dave Hodgson has agreed to invest a further £2 million on resurfacing works and major repairs to roads and pavements and additional money to expand the Climate Change Fund.

This important funding adds to the millions already set aside to be invested in this year's Budget.

Mayor Dave said "It's fantastic that we have been able to invest even more into the Borough, thanks to the great work of the finance team. A further £2 million on roads and pavements mean that we bring even more of them up to a higher standard. Time and again residents tell me how important this issue is, and that is why it is one of our top priorities. I'm also really pleased that we are expanding the Climate Change Fund to include ways to help tackle rising fuel costs as well as the climate impact. This is especially important with all of us facing a cost of living crisis, which sadly may get worse over winter. We are providing support for people who need it the most."

As part of the Council's £500,000 investment in play areas, works are set to begin at a play area in Jubilee Park.

The play area nearest to the Jubilation Centre will have new play equipment installed including a seafaring play unit, see saw, hammock and wheelchair accessible roundabout and trampoline. This new playground has been designed to improve accessibility and includes inclusive equipment, so more children can experience this fabulous, new sea themed space for play.

Congratulations to Liberal Democrat Richard Foord on winning the Tiverton and Honiton by-election from the Conservatives on a massive 29.9% swing.

Have your say on the new planning guidance for the Forest of Marston Vale area.

The Forest of Marston Vale is one of 12 nationally designated Community Forests, created in the 1990's as part of a program to regenerate degraded landscapes near large urban populations. The primary aim of the community forest is to increase tree canopy cover from 3% to 30% by 2031.