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9 November 2026
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Bedford Borough Council

Workers wearing hi-vis jackets working on a rail line as part of the EWR project Image: EWR Co

East West Rail welcomes faster planning rules as Bedfordians face ‘weaker’ formal say

East West Rail has welcomed new planning powers that remove the need for a statutory consultation before it applies to build the Oxford to Cambridge line, as Bedford residents...
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£5.90 parking fee for 1 hour 8 minutes at River Street Car Park Image Shaun Earp

Drivers furious as new evening parking rules add ‘overnight’ fees to short stays

Bedford drivers say new evening and overnight parking charges are “shocking”, “unfair” and “brainless”, as councillors warn the system could damage the town’s evening economy...
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A calculator and cash in coins and notes.

Labour councillor’s frustration at “political game-playing” over Open Space Management charges

The Labour councillor for Kempston West has told the Bedford Independent that his constituents are "horrified" that a decision to remove Open Space Management charges has been contested...
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Stack of pound coins on financial graphs and figures balance sheet Image Brian A Jackson Shutterstock

Balanced Bedford Borough Council budget only possible with Government emergency financial support

Bedford Borough Council’s Executive heard that the authority cannot set a legally balanced budget for next year unless the government approves emergency financial support...
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Land at former Milwaukees Night Club Screenshot Planning Statement. Image: LDRS

Plans resubmitted for former nightclub site in Souldrop

A developer has resubmitted plans to alter the design of a long-approved industrial development at a former nightclub in rural Bedford borough. Planning officers refused the last application...
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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

Council says proposed 400-home development in Kempston “unlikely” to significantly affect environment

Bedford Borough Council has decided that a proposed residential development of up to 400 homes on land at Gibraltar Corner, Kempston, will not require a full Environmental Impact...
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Contents of an orange-lidded recycling bin. Image Bedford Borough Council

Council sees 24% increase in recycling as glass collections rolled out

Bedford Borough Council has described its glass recycling initiative as a 'sparkling success' after more than 220 tonnes of additional recycling were collected in December...
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Beales is now half clean after Panther Plc cleaned the part they own, but the council has yet to complete the job on the side they're responsible for. Image: Bedford Independent

Bedford Ian writes…

23 January 2026: Half clean, Monsieur Mangetout, Distressing times, and Blues superstition. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and tells us what he thinks...
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A calculator and cash in coins and notes.

Senior borough councillor says proposed budget is “designed to stabilise frontline services”

Cllr Marc Frost, Bedford Borough Council’s portfolio holder for finance, says the proposed 2026/27 budget is designed to deliver “more focused prevention, faster decision making, and stabilised...
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Bedford Borough Hall Bedford Borough council signage and entrance

Council highlights commitment to positive adoption process and early intervention

Dozens of children in Bedford borough found permanent homes through adoption between January 2022 and December 2024 – as the council highlights its focus on support, early intervention...
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