Central Bedfordshire Council

🚍🌱 We’re excited to unveil the new state-of-the-art bus shelter in Dunstable! Located outside Asda on Court Drive, this modern shelter improves the daily commute for thousands of bus users. Designed for comfort and accessibility, it features: 12 passenger bays 🚏 2 cycle storage bays 🚴♀️ Real-time journey info 📱 Wireless phone charging ⚡ A green roof for better air quality 🌿 This project is part of our plan to make bus travel more sustainable, convenient, and enjoyable. Stay tuned for more super shelters coming soon! 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ddfAtWh6 #SustainableTransport #Dunstable #PublicTransport #BeGreen #CentralBedfordshire

Three drivers have been convicted for improperly using a disabled person's badge as part of a crackdown on Blue Badge parking fraud. The drivers were convicted at Luton Magistrates' Court this week after being spotted by our officers during a targeted enforcement exercise in May 2024. The following individuals were convicted: ➡️ Kathryn Loveday, of Dormer Avenue, Wing, was convicted after falsely stating that her husband, the Blue Badge holder, had been dropped off when she parked in a disabled bay. CCTV evidence disproved her claims, leading to her conviction. She was fined and received penalties of £445. ➡️ Emma Welch, of Westoning Road, Harlington, was found to be using her deceased mother’s cancelled Blue Badge and admitted to the court that she mistakenly thought she could use it because she had paid for it before her mother passed away. She received fines and penalties totalling £284. ➡️ Lorraine Warnock, of Alwins Field, Linslade was found to be using her father’s Blue Badge while parking to collect his prescriptions, without the badge holder being present. She received fine and penalties amounting to £206. If you suspect someone of illegally using a Blue Badge, you can report them to us by calling 0300 300 4154 or by emailing [email protected].

Helen Field, Workforce Development Manager for Children’s Services in our Learning and Development department, has been named ‘Trainer of the Year’ at the Nursery World Awards 2024! 🥳🎉 She received the award in recognition of the support and training she has given to early years practitioners across Bedfordshire for the past 27 years. The judges noted that during her time as a trainer, Helen ‘has supported, inspired and motivated hundreds – if not thousands – of learners in progressing their careers. Some of these started working as volunteers and, with Helen’s support, gained childcare qualifications and went on to achieve senior roles within the sector.’ Huge congratulations to Helen!

𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙡 𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 It's okay to feel overwhelmed because of the recent flooding. It can take a toll on your mental health. But you are never alone: ➡️ For adults, find local support and advice at: https://lnkd.in/dAEFcN3H ➡️ For young people, visit Everything OK? for tailored support: https://lnkd.in/dAXy7aRd ⚠️ For urgent mental health help, contact NHS 111, or call 999 in emergencies. You are never wasting anyone’s time, so please reach out for support.

Last week to have your say. Our Licensing Policy Consultation remains open until Monday, 30 September. This policy impacts venues that serve alcohol, provide entertainment, and offer late-night refreshments. As we prepare for a thorough review next year, we are extending our current policy until 2025. This extension includes updates to align with our Strategic Plan, refresh guidance resources, and revise pertinent details. Explore our draft Licensing Policy to understand the proposed changes 🔍 https://lnkd.in/eVNwzp52. Your feedback is invaluable in shaping the future of our Licensing Policy beyond 2026. Share your thoughts and suggestions to help us better serve our community.

Following a very significant amount of rain over the last 24 hours, many parts of Central Bedfordshire have experienced flooding. People’s homes, businesses and other sites have been affected, and closed or flooded roads are making travel difficult for many. Council officers have been working through the night alongside emergency services and volunteers to support residents, prioritising the most vulnerable – for example, people whose carers have been unable to get to them due to flooded roads. An assistance centre has been set up in Leighton Buzzard, at Meadow Way Community Centre. The council’s leisure centres remain open and can be used by anyone who needs temporary relief from a flooded home or other assistance. If you or someone you know is vulnerable and needs assistance, contact our emergency helpline number on 0300 300 8500. Please note, this is not to request sandbags or aquasacs. While we prioritise those who are vulnerable and need urgent assistance, if there is threat to life, call 999. Road closures are in place in several locations*, and our advice is to only travel if you need to, and don’t walk, cycle or drive through flood waters. We ask that people don’t ignore flood warning or road closure signs, and if you are driving through shallow water, it’s very important to do so slowly as it can push water into people’s homes. We will begin conducting a full impact assessment today, and continue to check on and support those residents in most need. UPDATES AND FURTHER INFORMATION Check the council website for further updates: https://lnkd.in/exA5bKf7 Environment Agency flood alerts for Central Bedfordshire can be found here: https://lnkd.in/eD5viYcB For updates and information on what you can do in a flood visit https://lnkd.in/ewXCgDAE SCHOOLS Some schools may be affected by flooding. If a school is closed, they will update our school closure system: Central Bedfordshire: SOS | School Closure List. Schools are contacting parents and carers through their usual channels to update if a school is closed. We are monitoring the weather and are in consultation with school transport operators. Conditions may worsen, and we will update the council website and provide schools with any further information regarding school transport. *ROAD CLOSURES Current road closures: Newlands Road, Westoning; Skimpot Road, Luton; Woodside Road, Woodside; Hockliffe Road, Leighton Buzzard; South Street, Leighton Buzzard; Luton Road/Duck Bridge; Ampthill to Maulden Bypass; Clophill Roundabout west-bound to Flitwick Roundabout; Silsoe Road, Maulden; Ampthill Road, Flitton Further road closures may be needed. We ask people to ensure they follow instructions on any road signs.

⚠️⚠️ Don’t miss out on your chance to shape the future of where you live ⚠️⚠️ We want to know what’s important to you about new homes, roads and transport, local facilities, green spaces (and more!) as we begin drafting a new Local Plan for how Central Bedfordshire grows in the years ahead. Make sure your voice is heard BY MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER You can either complete a survey, put your thoughts on a map – and there’s even a ‘short on time’ option for those of you who are…well, short on time!! https://lnkd.in/e9yHZGZS

A Luton resident has been ordered to forfeit his van, undertake community service and pay costs of £1,500 after being found guilty of fly-tipping at Rushmore Park in Caddington, Bedfordshire. The incident occurred on 15 July 2022, when CCTV footage captured a person entering the play park at Rushmore Park (off Rushmore Close), followed shortly by a Ford Transit Tipper. The vehicle was recorded unloading a significant amount of builders’ waste onto the public playing field. Through the CCTV footage, Mr Simon Hartwell, of Stuart Street, Luton, was identified as the registered keeper of the Ford Transit Tipper. The person seen in the footage had a distinctive neck tattoo that matched Mr Hartwell's, leading to his identification. In response to the fly-tipping, the Parish council promptly arranged for the waste to be removed, incurring a cost of £1200. Mr Hartwell was requested to attend an interview on 18 November 2022 but failed to appear, prompting us to begin legal proceedings. In April 2024, Mr Hartwell admitted guilt at Luton Magistrates' Court. This week, he was sentenced to a three-year community order involving 150 hours of unpaid work. He has also been instructed to forfeit his van and pay costs totalling £1,500 within the next 12 months. Additionally, he must fulfil a five-day rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and participate in an accredited program to address the factors that led to his offense. He is also required to attend supervision appointments with the Probation Service. We’re urging communities to work together and share information to help catch fly-tippers. Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wants to report a fly-tip can visit https://lnkd.in/eSFRWKN3, call 0300 300 8302, or email [email protected].

🚨 Court Update: Two residents from Luton and London found guilty in their absence under s.110 Environment Act 1995 for fly-tipping. 1️⃣ Luton case: Guilty verdict after 10 black bin bags of mixed waste were dumped at Barton Hill Road, Streatley in Nov '23. Fined £660 surcharge £264 costs £1261. 2️⃣ London case: Convicted for dumping 13 black bin bags of domestic waste at Hillborough Crescent, Houghton Regis in Dec '23. Fined £660 surcharge £264 costs £1161. We're urging communities to work together and share information to help us catch fly-tippers. Anyone who witnesses fly-tipping or wants to report a fly-tip can visit https://lnkd.in/eSFRWKN3, call 0300 300 8302, or email [email protected].

Eight roads in Central Bedfordshire are set to receive a new lease of life thanks to a treatment that will prevent the need for more costly repairs for up to 10 years. The micro-asphalt road surface treatment aims to prolong the life of roads, ensuring safer and smoother travel for residents and other road users. The following roads are scheduled for micro-asphalt treatment: ➡️ Church Avenue, Ampthill ➡️ Sidney Road, Ampthill ➡️ High Street, Clophill ➡️ Verey Road, Dunstable ➡️ Western Way, Sandy ➡️ Mills Walk, Sandy ➡️ Bury Road and Ashdown Road, Shefford ➡️ Maple Drive and Southfields, Shefford Micro-asphalt is a preventative surface treatment applied over the existing road surface. This method is used before visible signs of damage appear and, by adding this layer, the life of the road can be extended by up to 10 years, delaying the need for more extensive and costly repairs. Primarily used in residential areas with slower-moving traffic, micro-asphalt treatment minimises future disruptions and ensures road users can enjoy safer journeys. When applied at the right time, it significantly reduces long-term maintenance needs. Subject to the weather, we aim to carry out works at the above sites by the end of September before it’s completed with the reinstatement of road markings in October.