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More than 4,700 fines were issued for street littering in Bedford between 2022 and 2024 — with the majority for discarded cigarette butts, a council committee has heard. At a meeting of Bedford...

21 March 2025: Is that you, Mr Wayne?, Cement over the problem, and Speed demons. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and has what he thinks of it all...

Detailed plans for a Universal Studios version of Wixams Station do not exist, a senior council officer has told councillors. After an update on the new train station during last night’s Environment...

Tara O’Rourke enjoys an otherworldly wonderland

Detailed plans for a Universal Studios version of Wixams Station do not exist, a senior councillor told councillors.

People wanting to use Central Bedfordshire tidy tips will need to book at time slot from next week.

The booking system comes into effect on Wednesday 26 March, meaning residents will need to book a 20-minute time slot at any of the four recycling centres in Ampthill, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Thorn Turn, Houghton Regis. The new system aims to reduce queues, improve traffic flow, and ensure centres are used exclusively by Central Bedfordshire residents.

Managing visitor numbers will allow staff to offer more on-site recycling advice to help boost recycling rates and support the council’s commitment to a more sustainable Central Bedfordshire.

Booking is quick, simple, and free via the council’s website. Slots can be reserved up to two weeks in advance, with same-day bookings also available to offer maximum flexibility.

Councillor Tracey Wye, Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, said:

The new booking system will ensure that only Central Bedfordshire residents use the sites for free and make sure we are not paying to dispose of waste from people living elsewhere.

It will make using the recycling centres quicker and easier, preventing queues, or worse, those days where everyone comes at once and they have to start turning people away.

The council is not only committed to improving recycling, but it also hopes to reduce the amount of waste generated in the first place by encouraging people wherever possible to try to repair items or find a new home for those items that can be reused and repurposed by others.

Residents disposing of restricted items – such as carpets, mattresses, DIY waste, engine oil, gas bottles, or fire extinguishers – or using certain vehicles will be able to apply and instantly receive (subject to conditions) a waste permit through our new booking system. The new booking system will significantly speed up the process for receiving a waste permit. Full details on waste permits and site guidelines are available on the council’s website.

For more information and to book a slot from 26 March, visit our Household Waste Recycling Centres page.

On Wednesday, ex-England football manager Sir Gareth Southgate delivered the 47th Dimbleby Lecture, 'The Beautiful Game: Building Belief and Resilience in a Younger Generation' in which...

National Express has suspended all its services to London Heathrow Airport, due to a fire which means the airport will be closed for the rest of the day.

Bedford Blues are finally back in Championship action this weekend as Mike Rayer's side travel to Gloucestershire for a tricky test against Hartpury, looking to keep hold of second place...

Bedfordshire Police secured a THREE MONTH closure order for a property on Thursday, March 20.

Have you been impacted by the Heathrow Airport closure? Are you stranded unable to get home?