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9 November 2026
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Cllr Graeme Coombes

stock image of mother with new born baby

New midwifery director appointed as Bedford hospital services continue to face scrutiny

Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed a new Director of Midwifery as councillors review maternity services rated inadequate by the CQC. Ilene Machiva will take up the role...
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Artist's impression of the new Bedford Midland Station main entrance. Image EWR Co

East West Rail could reshape Bedford’s future but debate continues over local impact

East West Rail could bring jobs and growth to Bedford, but concerns remain over disruption, traffic, demolitions and how the project will affect local communities...
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Artist's impression of the new Bedford Midland Station main entrance. Image EWR Co

Latest EWR update shows new Bedford station and faster services but critics still concerned

As it launches its latest consultation today (Tuesday), East West Railway Company (EWR Co) has released updated images of its proposals for Bedford Station, plus the promise of a faster...
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East West Rail (EWR) jacket

Public urged to have their say as East West Rail enters final route-wide consultation stage

Bedfordians will have their final say on the latest designs for the East West Rail link this month, one of the biggest infrastructure projects to affect the region. From 14 April, the last...
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Borough Hall car park. Image: Bedford Independent

Bedford Ian writes…

2 April 2026: Pothole-free paradise, Responsible reporting, Rabbit responsibility, Selective outrage, and Tiny tennis. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough...
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Approximate site boundary of three drive-through cafés and a major employment development near Kempston. Image: Google My Maps Map Data (C)2025 Imagery (C)2025 Airbus, Maxar Technologies via LDRS.

Plans for drive-through cafés near Kempston withdrawn after Environment Agency objection

Plans for drive-through cafés and an employment development near Kempston have been withdrawn after the Environment Agency said the site lies within a functional floodplain...
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Doctor and Patient in a consulting room at a GP surgery. Image: Stephen Barnes Shutterstock

Major funding boost for GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams

Bedford Borough Council has announced a major funding boost from NHS England for new GP surgeries in Great Barford and Wixams. Tom Wootton (Conservative), mayor of Bedford Borough...
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Cllr Graeme Coombes Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service

Senior councillor praises Bedford Independent reporting accuracy amid row over Government financial support

A council row breaks out over the meaning of Exceptional Financial Support, as the Conservative leader says the Bedford Independent was the only outlet to report it accurately...
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Mayor Tom Wootton outside the former Debenhams building. Image: Bedford Borough Council

Bedford Borough councillors launch two more petitions calling for mayor’s resignation

After Bedford's Liberal Democrats launched a petition on Friday (13 February) calling for the resignation of Bedford's elected mayor, Tom Wootton (Conservative), two further 'parallel'...
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Welcome to Wixams road sign Image Bedford Independent

Update given on Wixams GP surgery as £5.5 million allocated to project

Bedford Borough councillors pressed for reassurance of a long-delayed GP surgery in Wixams after the council approved £5.5 million in funding, subject to NHS commitments...
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