We wish you all a very

Happy Christmas

and a peaceful New year

Health Services in Brickhill

We are campaigning for better health facilities in Brickhill. In Brickhill there were once two branch doctors’ surgeries. One of them, in Merlin Gardens, is now closed. The surgery at Tyne Crescent has limited opening hours. The nearest dentist for most Brickhill residents is at Library Walk, Putnoe, and is not easily reached by public transport.

With the new housing development off Tyne Crescent adding another 500 homes to the area, we believe that it is time to provide more comprehensive facilities locally.

Lib Dem Campaign brings results

A Lib Dem campaign was launched when some concessionary fare holders were asked to pay for children under five travelling with them. Stagecoach have now agreed that up to two children under five can travel for free with concessionary pass holders. Stagecoach have agreed that this will now form part of its concessionary travel agreement with the borough, avoiding any confusion and safeguarding free travel for up to two children under five.

Following pressure from Liberal Democrats and outraged bus users Stagecoach has reversed its policy which saw pensioners looking after young children charged for toddlers’ journeys while under-fives accompanied by other bus users travelled free.

Stagecoach levied the additional charge against elderly concessionary bus pass holders despite the fact that it receives funding from the taxpayer for journeys made using the free pass. However, following demands for an end to the policy from the Lib Dems and complaints from local bus users, Stagecoach has now agreed that up to two children under five can travel for free with concessionary pass holders. This brings the situation for pensioners looking after young children into line with that which applies for other bus users travelling with under-fives.

Lib Dem Parish Councillor Wendy Rider said 'This charge should not have been introduced to squeeze extra money out of older people with babies and toddlers in their care. I welcome the decision to reverse this policy'

Bedford Borough Council’s current agreement with Stagecoach for the cost of journeys in Bedford Borough made using the concessionary bus pass is worth £1.8 million. Bedford Borough Council has announced that it has reached agreement with Stagecoach that the policy of allowing up to two young children accompanied by concessionary pass holders to travel for free will now form part of the concessionary travel agreement between the two parties.

 

Click here to see the updated recommendations
following public consultation

Tyne Crescent Thomas More

Residents have asked for action to help deal with congestion and dangerous traffic around St Thomas More School and Kennet Rise. A new street sign has now been fitted to Kennet Rise to make plain the fact that this is a ‘no through road’. The Highways Department have made design proposals which are intended to alleviate the dangerous parking which is a taking place. These will be considered and we would be extremely grateful for your comments.

Residents have already asked for more wooden bollards along Tyne Crescent and additional double yellow lines.

Local Surgeries

Local Lib Dem surgeries are available for help and advice

Cllr Wendy Rider with the temporary traffic signals in Tyne Crescent

Gas main replacement in Brickhill

Many people have contacted us to seek information on the excavation work which is taking place along Tyne Crescent and other parts of Brickhill. National Grid are working with their contractors SKANSKA to replace main gas pipes under pavements and this will require extensive works in the following roads. Arun Close, Avon Drive, Douglas Road, Dove Road, Hamble Road, Kennet Rise, Kingfisher Close, Stour Way, Tamar Road, Tyne Crescent, Rother Close, Wansbeck Road, Waveney Avenue.

Work in Tyne Crescent will last four weeks and then continue into other roads. The whole project may take six months to complete. Residents should be prepared for the appearance of temporary traffic lights and contractors vehicles. If you wish to receive any further information then please contact us and we will be pleased to help. We have detailed drawings of the work to be carried out and would be pleased to show residents the extent of works in their area.

A small plan can be found by clicking here

(Areas where pavements are to be excavated are shown in red)

It is disturbing that our footpaths will be dug up once again, including areas which have recently been repaired. The contractor must guarantee work for a period of two years and we will work with residents to ensure that satisfactory reinstatement takes place.

Proposed Vodafone Base

Station 31286 

Located adjacent to Brickhill Drive, Bedford. MK41 7PY

Announced 8 October

Please download a petition form and return it to us with your signature to support our campaign

Click here for petition form

Dramatic new applications made for 500-600 new houses

Click on this link for details

Click to see copies of the current proposals

Covenants on Properties in Brickhill

Council must be open on the 'Buyer Beware' approach to covenants
Bedford Borough Council has not identified a single case of a breach of restrictive covenants in over twelve months, with residents left to pursue their own costly private legal action if they wish to see a breach of covenant enforced. Liberal Democrats believe that the news will come as a shock to many residents, due to a common perception that people are protected by restrictive covenants, for example on the use of a house as a commercial premises or for storing large commercial vehicles.

Click here to read more

Work to Trees in Brickhill

Let Down by Labour

Brickhill Drive Post Office closed

Liberal Democrats have reacted with anger at news that Bedford is to receive a hammer blow to its Post Office network. Despite widespread public support for local branches The Post Office has decided to close the Brickhill Drive Post Office, the three other threatened branches in Bedford, and many other Post Offices in the area.

Local residents will be extremely disappointed having hoped that the Post Office might have a change of heart following strong campaigns across Bedford. A particularly strong case being argued by the Parish Council-led campaign for the retention of Brickhill Drive Post Office.

Councillor Charles Royden said: 'It is a sad day for many of our local communities. I am very disappointed with the lack of support from our MP,  Patrick Hall. It is his job to stand up for Brickhill and for Bedford; none of our post offices have been reprieved. The Labour government has ripped the heart out of communities across Bedfordshire’. Local Liberal Democrats will be asking Postwatch to request a further review of the proposals, as we believe that the report outlining the reasons given for closing Brickhill Drive Post Office contain inaccuracies and there is insufficient weight given to the reasons why the branch should be kept open.

 

Gypsy and Travellers in Brickhill

We were contacted by many residents seeking advice concerning the arrival of gypsies in Mowsbury Park in Brickhill. The caravans were removed following action by the police under a S61 powers which gave them only hours before Police action would have been taken. We strongly support these Police powers being used to protect our community.

We believe in the importance of human rights for all people and as your elected local councillors we are here to campaign for the rights of our community in Brickhill. We will work hard to protect our community against unlawful encampments. Please feel able to contact us direct with any questions which you may have, or requests for help. We will keep our website up to date with the latest information on this matter.

Cllrs Charles Royden and Wendy Rider calling for a 20mph speed limit near schools and on Avon Drive by the pedestrian crossing.

Do you think cars should drive along these roads at more than 20mph? 

Please tell us

Lib Dems say '20 is Plenty'

Speeding traffic near schools is a major concern to local Liberal Democrats. Councillors Charles Royden and Wendy Rider are calling for 20mph speed limits in parts of Brickhill. The main areas of concern are near schools.

Liberal Democrats campaigning on roads

After many months of campaigning we are pleased to report that Avon Drive has been resurfaced from Waveney Avenue roundabout to the junction with Torridge Rise. We are now campaigning for work to be carried out on Torridge Rise.

Macmillan Welfare Rights Service

In April 2007 the County Council's Macmillan Welfare Rights Service was launched. The Service is funded by Macmillan Cancer Support to provide benefits advice to anyone affected by cancer, their carers and families across Bedfordshire. Nationally, Macmillan Cancer Support estimate that 54% of people with a life threatening illness do not claim the disability benefits they are entitled to receive.

During the 2007/08 the Macmillan Welfare Rights Team:
Held 137 outreach / drop-in sessions across Bedfordshire (hospitals, day centres)
Made 756 home visits
Advised and assisted people affected by cancer to claim benefits/grants worth an extra £2.2 million
Gained an average of £2,085 in benefits/grants per person


The Service covers the whole of Bedfordshire and there is a dedicated contact number (01234) 276948 (ext. 44948 internal) or email: MacmillanWRS@bedscc.gov.uk

 

Brickhill Road Fiascoo

Benefits Advice

Is money a worry for you?

It is clear from speaking with residents, that many people in Brickhill are finding themselves with serious financial difficulties. The rising cost of basic food items, petrol and fuel bills are just some of the issues which are causing real difficulties. However, did you know that billions of pounds of benefits are not claimed each year because people do not know what they are entitled to claim? Some of the most badly affected groups are pensioners who desperately need and deserve the benefits to which they are entitled. A survey of more than 1,000 over-60s found that half of those eligible for additional benefits could receive enough financial support to cover all their heating costs, which would lift them out of fuel poverty. A household is in fuel poverty if it pays out more than 10% of its income on fuel. There are billions of pounds of unclaimed income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, job-seeker's allowance and pension credits. When we face real financial hardship it often pays to talk to people who can offer help. Bedford Borough Council, Customer Advisory Team are there to help with advice about benefits to which you may be entitled. The service is free and it could provide the help and support that will really make a difference to you and you family.

Are you showered with bills? Need help with the rent or council tax? Then you can call in and speak to an advisor – no appointment needed!

Tyne Crescent Thomas Moree

Residents have asked for action to help deal with congestion and dangerous traffic around St Thomas More School and Kennet Rise. A new street sign has now been fitted to Kennet Rise to make plain the fact that this is a ‘no through road’. The Highways Department have made design proposals which are intended to alleviate the dangerous parking which is a taking place. These will be considered and we would be extremely grateful for your comments.

Residents have already asked for more wooden bollards along Tyne Crescent and additional double yellow lines.

Tree Planting for Brickhilll

We have received many requests from residents to have trees replaced around Brickhill which have been vandalised or died.

We are extremely concerned to see the replacement of damaged trees and also increased planting of news trees across Brickhill. Borough Councillor Charles Royden has allocated his entire £3,000 ward improvement fund towards the planting of trees in Brickhill.

Three new English Oaks were recently planted outside Sir William Harpur House in Avon Drive and this tree was planted in Aviary Walk.

We hope that residents will support us in seeking to ensure that they are not vandalised. Once planted, should you see anybody harming the trees please call the police immediately and notify us so that we can ensure the matter is dealt with. Click here to see the list of trees to be planted in Brickhill

Upgrade planned for Brickhill Shops

Liberal democrats have longed campaigned for our shopping parades to be upgraded, especially the provision of disabled access. A petition earlier this year attracted hundreds of signatures.

We are pleased that both shopping parades will be refurbished. The following works are proposed for Avon Drive

• Redecoration of columns under the canopies to the shops
• Cleaning of the underside of the canopies over the shops
• Upgrading of Disabled Ramp and provision of handrails
• Provision of Disabled access to all shop fronts
• Crowning of existing trees to improve visibility of the shops from the road
• A new shopping parade corporate sign
• Washing down tiled panel to side elevation including decoration to fanlight

The proposed works for Brickhill Drive shops are as follows  

1. Re-decoration of the underside of the canopies over the shops
2. Essential concrete repairs to the shop canopies
3. Removal of the tree guards from trees and replacement with a flexible surface
4. Repairs to the paved areas
5. Power washing of paving to shop fronts
6. Crowning of existing trees to improve visibility of the shops from the road
8. Repointing of boundary walls where this is the Council’s responsibility
9. Improvements to external lighting by the installation of low energy down lighters to each shop front

Wendy Rider's NHS Survey

Thank you to everyone who took time to respond to my Inquiry into the state of local health care. The Inquiry has received a fantastic response from local people. I am currently processing the results and will update you when the survey is completed. What is already clear though is that local people are deeply concerned about the future of local health services. This is particularly true of services at Bedford Hospital. We are still waiting to see the much delayed recommendations from the East of England Health Authority on the future of hospitals in the area. We already know that questions have been asked about the future of Maternity, A&E and Emergency Surgery at Bedford Hospital. I am determined to do whatever I can to oppose the cuts and closures at Bedford Hospital. That is why we launched the Save Bedford Hospital campaign, if you haven't already signed the petition you can do so on-line at www.savebedfordhospital.org

Road signs repaired

Your Lib Dem Councillors are working hard to make sure that broken or stolen road signs are replaced as quickly as possible.

This road sign at Cherwell Road took just a few weeks to have replaced after Wendy Rider reported it to Bedford Borough Council.

Bus Survey Results

Call for poop scoop binss

At the request of several residents, Cllr Charles Royden has asked Bedford Borough Council to provide poop scoop bins off Tyne Crescent and elsewhere in the Carron Road Estate.

Zero Tolerance on crimee