Central Bedfordshire is a new place, including some great towns and villages. What is it about Central Bedfordshire that makes it special for you? What should we be celebrating about the place where we live and work?
Why not read through some of the responses we have received so far below, and then use the form to add your own?
I think it is a great place to live. Easily accessible to London and other large towns both north, east and west. Lots of places to visit, together with beautiful countryside. The only downside is the lack of public transport, could the 71 not be diverted through Campton. I do know that elderly people in the centre of Campton are apprehensive about their ability to visit elsewhere besides Shefford.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Maureen,
Thank you for your comments on the buses. We are keen to provide as convenient a public transport service as possible wherever we can. The 71 is a commercial service provided by Stagecoach, i.e. not a service provided by Central Bedfordshire Council, who i am sure may be interested in diverting routes where there is a good demand for such a service. Of course by doing so, would inconvenience existing passengers, so as you can see it is somewhat of a balancing act.
I shall pass your comments onto our Passenger Transport Team. Even if the 71 cannot be diverted, then there may be something that can be done to time the existing 200 service so that it better meets the existing services in Shefford.
Kind regards,
James Gleave
Senior Strategic Transport Officer
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
If we are honest, close to no-one could draw the boundaries of Central Bedfordshire. Unlike the old counties, it has no ‘focal’ town’, like Bedford in Bedfordshire, to identify with. It’s just an administrative district for the time being before the next local government re-organisation. Sure it has some great communities, communication links, etc. and long may they flourish, but ‘Central Bedfordshire is a non-entity! Sorry!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
The people who live here have a great community spirit, particularly in Greenfield Flitton areas. People work very hard, but as a Flitwick resident, I feel we are are often let down by our representatives. Flitwick could and should be a great place to live in, but there does not seem to be any willingness from the council to improve things; little things like the dreadful bus stop opposite the post office; the overgrown grass, overhanging branches and weeds along the footpaths, the lack of any cycle paths at all in Flitwick and lack of pedestrian crossings.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Having lived previously in Berks and near Manchester it is great to be able to get to work without many traffic problems…..although the roadworks at M1 junction 13 could be better managed at them moment with a load of unnecessary cones causing rush hour queues.
Like or Dislike:
1 
0
Hi Carolyn
Having also worked around the Liverpool/Manchester areas I can appreciate where you are coming from on the time to commute in and around these areas, so yes it is easier around Bedfordshire.
As far as I know, the M1 work is dealt with by the Highways Agency. I have had a look on their website and found this information http://www.highways.gov.uk/roads/projects/4584.aspx – quite heavy traffic figures quoted at 25,000 vehicles a day in the area. I hope this is of some use, even if it doesn’t solve the issue of travelling at peak times in the coned area.
Regards
Alan
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Thank you, I already subscribe to the updates so that I know if there is anything major happening. I just find it frustrating to have lanes closed during the day, for no apparent reason – in the evenings it is chaos. Only a few more months and it should be open – then we can see if the new road layout works….I have my doubts for the roundabout from the motorway.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This ever growing village(Henlow)seems to be generally well removed from the negative qualities associated with more urban communities, yet retains good communication facilities with buses and nearby Arlesy station.
An ageing village hall and increasing traffic congestion are among some of the negative aspects but from a purely selfish point of view, I would like to know who vetoed the cabletel network that was half completed before someone objected to it in the name of the village; I was not asked!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We are in a great location with a fantastic road/rail network surrounding us. We live surrounded by countryside, although we can commute to London by rail in 40 minutes, connect with the M1 and A1 motorways very easily.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Louise
Couldn’t agree more! I make a 20 mile trip through Bedfordshire countryside every morning to work. Also with Luton airport on our doorsteps it just adds to the great transport connections in the area.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Access to numerous facilities, i.e shopping, sporting activities, numerous cuisine and entertainment venues and ,of course, the countryside
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
We live in a small village (Haynes) within Central Beds which still retains a strong sense of community and has not been over-developed. There are a number of other villages in the surrounding area which are similar – and the surrounding countryside remains unspoilt.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Central Bedfordshire does have its issues, but on the whole we do have a safe environment to live in. The easy of access to the capital and a number of arterial roads does make it a good central point to explore the UK.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
As an authority nothing. It seems like a complete mess most of the time and the restructure a waste of time and money.
The good thing is the people working in Central Beds work extremely hard and are very helpful in what appears to be extremely difficult circumstances.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0