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28 August 2026
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Anglian Water

A drought-induced blue-green algae formation (stock photo). Image Juergen Wackenhut ShutterstockImage: Juergen Wackenhut/Shutterstock.

Bedford mayor says council is holding water regulators “to account” over River Great Ouse pollution

Mayor Tom Wootton has blamed external agencies for blue-green algae on the River Great Ouse following recent hot weather, while staying silent on calls for tougher enforcement against water companies...
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Burst water main on Bedford high street has pumped water all over the road and even lifted the tarmac. Cars are driving through carefully. Image: Jo Casey

Monthly column: Heatwave and broken pipes

The heat is on, literally, for water companies to start to fix all the broken pipes where thousands of litres of water are pouring out over hot tarmac across the UK...
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Jet Boots disply team performing in front of the suspension bridge on the River Great Ouse at the Bedford River Festival 2024. Image: Bedford Independent

Mayor criticised over “flippant” river pollution comments on eve of festival

The Bedford River Festival has opened under a cloud of criticism following remarks by Mayor Tom Wootton regarding river pollution, sparking deep frustration from a local environmental group....
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England football flag at half mast outside Beards Estate Agents after the men's team's exit July 2026. Image: Bedford Independent.

Bedford Ian writes…

17 July 2026: Hove actually, Flagging spirits, and Street springs. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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Burst water main on Bedford high street has pumped water all over the road and even lifted the tarmac. Cars are driving through carefully. Image: Jo Casey

Bedford High Street springs a leak as hosepipe ban comes into effect

A burst water main has ripped through tarmac on Bedford High Street, just two days after Anglian Water introduced a strict temporary hosepipe ban across the region due to prolonged heatwaves...
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Anglian Water van livery

Bedford Ian writes…

Water torture, Motion sickness, Clean sweep, Caught shorts, and Office outing. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks of it all…
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A hose on shower setting watering a garden

Bedfordians urged to ditch hosepipes as regional ban starts

Bedford Borough residents must turn off their hosepipes from tomorrow morning as Anglian Water introduces its first regional restrictions since 2012 following three consecutive summer heatwaves...
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Professional worker using pan knife for building brick walls with cement and mortar planning new homes builder building Image Adobe Stock:aboutmomentsimages

Cranfield 150-home plan rejected as councillor warns of pressure on ‘failing’ pumping station

Plans for a housing project on a 20-acre site within the Forest of Marston Vale north of Cranfield have been refused, despite being recommended for approval by planning officers...
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Mohammad Yasin MP helping Inga Wells and Alan Horn of BedsGOVET test River Great Ouse water along The Embankment. Image: Bedford Independent.

Monthly column: Mohammad Yasin MP on Sewage, Water Quality and Regulation

We met with Mohammad Yasin MP (Labour) at the water’s edge of the Embankment to share our deep concerns with him about the quality of the River Great Ouse and the ongoing spillages into the river...
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Cllr Lucy Bywater Image Bedford Green Party

Monthly column: Don’t Lose the Ouse

In the recent heatwave, with the hottest temperature in May on record, some will have enjoyed time in their parks and gardens (perhaps seeking shade). But others might, like us Greens...
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