22 July 2009
Conservatives Slam U-
It has been announced today that long-
This follows a decision by the Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder for Environment, Cllr Royden, who has asked for the scheme to be put on hold until later this year, despite extensive public consultation and a decision by the former County Council approving the ban earlier this year.
A Traffic Regulation Order had been approved by Bedfordshire County Council banning heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from using various roads in a large area of Great Barford, Chawston, Colmworth, Ravensden, Renhold, Roxton, Wilden, Willington & Wyboston.
Conservative Borough Councillor for Great Barford Ward, Carole Ellis, who has been campaigning for these restrictions to be introduced to improve road safety, confirmed:
“I was assured by the Council that the signs informing lorry drivers of the restrictions would be put up very soon.”
“I am appalled that the Liberal Democrat Portfolio Holder is stalling on this long-
“I have told my villagers to expect the signs to be put up at any time, after making enquiries with officers about their whereabouts and a decision approving this in February. It would have been ideal to have put these signs up and had the weight limits in place before the schools holidays, when our children are out cycling and are at their most vulnerable.”
“I am totally shocked that I have not had any consultation whatsoever about this, as I know my village better than Cllr Royden does. Traffic problems in
Great Barford Ward have been getting steadily worse for years, with lorries driving through our narrow villages on roads that were simply never designed for them.”
Councillor Tom Wootton, Conservative Borough Councillor for Roxton Ward, added:
“For the Very Reverend Royden & the Lib Dems to stall on this issue, despite strong resident support, shows how out of touch the Lib Dems are with rural opinion and proves they cannot offer any solution to the traffic problems that our rural areas so desperately need.”
“Parish Councils have campaigned strongly for this, residents have been petitioning for this and we have been consulting and talking about this for years. For them now to stall on it with the threat of cancellation, when they have spent all that money and have already made the signs, it’s a sin and muppetry of the first order.”
21 July 2009
Conservatives Call For A Green Level Playing Field
Borough Conservatives are calling on the Government to change the rules to allow Bedford to apply for funding from a new £29m pot to fund sustainable travel.
Last week, the Government unveiled its latest strategy to tackle climate change in the form of a “Low Carbon Transport: A Greener Future Strategy”, which outlined how it intends to reduce carbon emissions by 34% by 2020.
However, Borough Conservatives say the Government, which has excluded Councils from the East & South East of England from applying, should allow all Councils to bid for these new funds.
Conservative Vice-
“The Government must seize the moment and fully fund its new ‘Greener Future Strategy’ if we are to get anywhere near reducing carbon emissions by 34% by 2020.”
“What I do object to is Labour turning the battle against climate change into a covert operation to shore up its northern heartlands ahead of a General Election. In May this year, the Department for Transport announced plans for new ‘Sustainable Travel Cities’, with 9 areas across England being invited to apply for up to £29m.”
“If we are serious about cutting transport emissions in Bedford Borough, the Government needs to bear its share of responsibility and help this Council with funding.”
“Conservatives have already called on the new unitary authority to make tackling climate change a top priority by installing a network of charging points in Council car parks for electric vehicles, setting the highest possible energy performance targets for Council buildings, increasing investment to improve public transport and using innovate new technologies to carbon emissions.”
“However, the Council can only operate within its means. It’s time Labour came clean if it wants to be green, and gave the Council the funding it needs to make a difference, otherwise this latest strategy will end up in the recycling bin.”
“To be the leading green Council in this area, we need Government support, not a kicking, and I will be writing to the Energy & Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, urging him to change the rules and allow Bedford to bid for this money.”
16 July 2009
Lorry Ban In Villages A Step Closer
Vehicle weight restrictions in the North East Bedfordshire area are due to be completed soon, much to the delight of Borough Councillor Carole Ellis.
A Traffic Regulation Order was approved by Bedfordshire County Council earlier this year banning heavy goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes from using various roads in Great Barford, Chawston, Colmworth, Ravensden, Renhold, Roxton, Wilden, Willington & Wyboston.
However, the all-
Conservative Borough Councillor for Great Barford Ward, Carole Ellis, has spoken with Council officers and it has been
confirmed this week that the signs will shortly be put up.
Cll Ellis, said: “I have been assured by the Council that the signs will be put up very soon, which is good news for local
residents.”
“Traffic problems in Great Barford Ward have been getting steadily worse for years, with lorries driving down country lanes
that were simply never designed for them. It only takes one HGV to back the traffic up, creating enormous in both directions.”
“Of course, it won't solve all of our traffic problems, but it's definitely an important step in the right direction and I hope will
improve road safety for residents.”
14 July 2009
Conservatives Welcome Decision On Schools
A decision has finally been taken on who will decide on the future of the Borough’s Schools system.
It was announced yesterday that a Special Full Council meeting will meet on 24 September 2009 that will give all Councillors a vote on any proposed changes to the Borough’s Schools.
The Council’s Executive Committee will still meet on 16 September to review the results of the consultation on the School Organisation Review, which closes on 24 July, and make a decision on whether the Council should adopt a two or three tier system.
Any proposal for change will then be forwarded to the Special meeting of Full Council on 24 September for final ratification.
Conservative Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, Councillor Jane Walker, today welcomed the move.
“I have believed all along that all Councillors should have a vote as well as a voice on what is a massively important decision for the new unitary authority to make.”
“Any move from three-
“I welcome this announcement and look forward to receiving the results of the consultation.”
2 July 2009
New Council Must Be Greener
New measures to help Bedford Borough Council tackle climate change got the green light last night.
At a meeting of the newly-
Bedford Borough Conservatives on the Committee called on the new Council to be much greener & supported an array of new review work into the following:
o Introducing car clubs for residents.
o Installing charging points for electric vehicles.
o Production of a Council Green Travel Plan (our neighbouring Councils in Central Bedfordshire & Milton Keynes have them).
o Expanding cycling & walking networks.
o Reviewing tree maintenance.
Vice-
“The new unitary authority has the powers to make a real difference for Borough residents and Conservatives believe it
should be using them to take the lead on tackling issues such as climate change.”
“We want to see the new Council be a lot greener. The measures we proposed last night, including innovative new
measures to install charging points for electric vehicles & introduce car clubs, demonstrate our commitment to ensuring
the new authority is not left behind by other Councils who are taking the lead on such issues.”
“It’s all well and good telling residents to be greener, but the Council needs to lead by example at the same time as
helping residents be as green as they can.”
“The new unitary has the opportunity to make a fresh start for residents. I want to see it make a green start.”
