FOCUS EditorsBrickhill No. 346 Oct. 2012 Wendy Charles Rider Royden Published and promoted by H Vann on behalf of Linda Jack (Liberal Democrats) both at 35 Castle Quay, Bedford, MK40 3FG. Printed by Focal Print, 37 Kathie Rd, Bedford MK42 0QJ FOCUS Save Bedford Hospital Saving Bedford £6.9m on Hospital Rubbish! The Borough Council has just renewed its waste contracts for the first time under Dave Hodgson’s leadership. Under Threat The new contracts will save £6.9m Wendy Rider & Charles over the 6 years of the new contracts. Royden welcome the What’s more the service for residents increased recycling and hasn’t been reduced at all. reuse from the new waste contract Mayor Dave Hodgson said “I am determined to keep our rubbish being collected every week unlike many other councils. In fact we will increase recycling and reuse by making sure the waste is processed using modern technology after it has been collected. This is much better than putting it in landfill or burning it.” New changes for no. 6 and no. 28 bus routes In the last edition of FOCUS we stated that the bus routes were still not settled and that was why we had asked for the bus shelters not to be moved from Tyne Crescent. We now know that from November 5 the Number 6 Stagecoach bus will revert to its old route around Tyne Crescent one way, entering at the Pheasant entrance. A more frequent Number 28 Grant Palmer bus will now serve the Woodland Estate, turning at Anjulita Court. We have asked for this bus to turn left out of Mayor Dave Hodgson has launched a campaign to stop crucial Dove Road so that passengers can visit the shops at Avon Drive. See health services from being axed at Bedford Hospital. www.PuttingBrickhillFirst.com for the new Number 28 timetable. Dave Hodgson said “Plans from the NHS could mean the end of Bedford Hospital as we know it and I will fight to make sure that our hospital is not downgraded. Local residents do not want reduced Accident and Emergency, emergency surgery and maternity services Brickhill Action that would mean having to travel further to other hospitals. This is not acceptable and I hope you’ll support our campaign by signing the Getting ready for petition below or online. We need to speak out now, whilst there is still time to stop this.” winter The NHS “Healthier Together” plan will reduce the services at two of the Councillors Wendy Rider and Charles five hospitals in our area. Bedford Hospital is one of those under serious Royden have recently checked every threat as it is one of the two smaller hospitals. The hospital would only road in Brickhill, reporting faulty street have a reduced Accident and Emergency role, no trauma unit, no lights and potholes. The aim is to get emergency surgery, no complex surgery, no intensive care and no our area in as good a shape as obstetrics for high risk births. possible before the worst of the winter weather arrives. If you spot a dangerous pothole, Save Bedford Hospital please do call the Borough’s Pothole I/we call on the NHS not to downgrade Bedford Hospital and cut the Hit Squad to get it fixed quickly. Cllr Wendy Rider by the services available. Pothole Hit Squad Name Address email repaired street sign in Clyde ( Crescent Tel: 01234 718003 ...... Tackling dangerous parking near schools ...... New parking restrictions are out for consultation at dangerous parking hot spots outside Brickhill’s schools. The new restrictions prohibit Return to: Dave Hodgson, 37 Kathie Rd, Bedford MK42 0QJ parking at any time at dangerous locations which will help protect The Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we think you may find of interest. Some children at all of our Brickhill schools. The roads involved are Tyne of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by Crescent, Falcon Avenue and Hawk Drive. The new restrictions will contacting us. Published and promoted by H Vann on behalf of Linda Jack (Liberal Democrats) both at 35 Castle Quay, Bedford, MK40 3FG.. be enforced using the camera enforcement vehicles. Please give us Printed by Focal Print, 37 Kathie Rd, Bedford MK42 0QJ your views now so that we can get the safest schemes. For information You can sign online at www.savebedfordhospital.org.uk on the proposals please go to www.PuttingBrickhillFirst.com. Linda Jack for Making the super rich pay their Police Commissioner fair share at last Linda Jack is an active campaigner for For too long in Britain there’s been two sets of rules on tax - one for the richest local residents, and will be remembered as and another for average workers and a councillor here in Bedford for 5 years. families. Capital Gains Tax increased from Labour allowed the super rich and the banks to 4 Linda will be the Liberal Democrat 18% to 28% to stop richest dodge their taxes for thirteen years. Many right dodging their fair share Candidate for the new role of elected wing Conservatives actually think that the Police and Crime Commissioner for the richest pay too much! 4 Tough new measures to crack whole of Bedfordshire. Putnoe councillor Only the Liberal Democrats will make the down on tax avoidance Michael Headley said “I’ve known Linda super-rich pay their fair share. We are fighting for a new wealth tax and a mansion tax on 4 New tax on house sales worth for many years and it’s clear that she houses worth more than £2million. over £2million would be a strong Commissioner, focused Income tax cut for average on getting results for local people.” www.fairertax.org 4 Former Bedford workers - £45 a month back in your pocket from April The election is on Thursday 15 November. Councillor, Linda Jack, If you need a postal vote please get in is standing for election touch with us. as Police Commissioner Working hard for Anjulita Court Brickhill all year round Community Coffee Road and footpath repairs in Shop now open Brickhill We welcome the recent resurfacing of part of Avon Drive and repairs to Rooksmead. We expect the footpath/cycleway from Brickhill Drive (opposite Larkway) to Bedford Park to The Coffee Shop at Anjulita Court is now open from 10:30am to be resurfaced in the 4:30pm daily. Pop in for a coffee or tea and cake or biscuit. next few weeks. Lunches are also available. Anjulita Court is at the top of Bramley Way, Woodlands Park. Cllr Wendy Rider in Rooksmead, where some badly For more details call Vases for flowering arranging needed! needed repairs to the road have been completed Anjulita Court on 273642. If you have any vases you no longer need, Anjulita Court would welcome them. Join Community Speed Watch for safer streets Are you concerned at the dangers caused by speeding traffic in Brickhill? If so, you could help make a real difference by joining www.PuttingBrickhillFirst.com the local Community Speed Watch team. You will be trained in the use of special speed checking signs by the Police, working with the Borough’s Pride in Bedford team. If interested please contact Borough Councillor Wendy Rider Cllr Mark Fitzpatrick. Brickhill 23 Orwell Close, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7BQ ( 303254 8 [email protected] FOCUS Borough Councillor Charles Royden FOCUS Team Advice Surgeries St Mark’s Vicarage, Calder Rise, Liberal Democrat Councillors Surgeries Team Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7UY ( 309175 8 [email protected] Local Brickhill surgeries Parish Councillor Mark Fitzpatrick Avon Drive shops: 10am, Saturday 10th Novemnber 20 Nursery Gardens, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 8DU Brickhill Drive shops: 10am, Saturday 27th October ( 357259 8 [email protected] Bedford Central Library Mayor of Bedford Borough: For contact details of other Brickhill Lib Dem Parish Every Saturday, 2pm-3pm. Dave Hodgson, Councillors, see 37 Kathie Road, Bedford MK42 0QJ www.PuttingBrickhillFirst.com Mayor Dave Hodgson's Surgeries ( 718620 Second Tuesday every month 4pm-6pm at Borough Hall 8 [email protected] For an appointment ring 718620 If you have a grumble Can you help us? please get in touch. Yes I would like to help by: Delivering FOCUS in my street Displaying a poster at election time Name: Making a donation (to North West Address: Bedford Liberal Democrats) Phone: Return to: Councillor Wendy Rider, Email: 23 Orwell Close, Brickhill, Bedford MK41 7BQ Joining the Liberal Democrats Published and promoted by H Vann on behalf of Linda Jack (Liberal Democrats) both at 35 The Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you from time to time about issues we Castle Quay, Bedford, MK40 3FG. Printed by Focal Print, 37 Kathie Rd, Bedford MK42 0QJ. think you may find of interest. Some of the contacts may be automated. You can opt out of some or all contacts at any time by contacting us.