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Cycling in Bedford Bus Lanes

As of 23 August 2010 cyclists can now use all of Bedford's bus lanes, namely:

Bedford and Kempston Cycle Map - Updated

The Bedford and Kempston area is relatively compact and flat and it is possible to cycle safely from one end to the other using quiet roads and cycle tracks.

To encourage new cyclists and those unfamiliar with the geography of the area to cycle more, CCNB published in June 2010 in conjunction with Bedford Borough Council, an updated edition of their popular Bedford and Kempston Cycle Map. This is available from the Bedford Tourist Information Centre, Public Libraries and many other outlets.

Borough Cycling Popularity Confirmed

In a recent national survey 33% of Bedford respondents said that they cycled at least once per month and 23% at least once per week.

Cycle Training

If you have never cycled or have not cycled for some time, the Borough and others run cycle courses to the new 'Bikeability' national cycle training standard. A list of current courses can be downloaded here.

Starter Rides

CTC Beds has added 'Starter Rides' to the range of Rides now available. They are intended to meet the needs of relatively inexperienced cyclists who may lack the confidence to go out on their own but may well appeal to other people who just want a short and easy local ride. The rides will help people find their way around Bedford and the immediate countryside. Non Members are welcome but will be expected to join CTC after a while.

The rides leave from Priory Park Visitor Centre Bedford at 1.00pm on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. They are easy paced and last about 2 to 2½ hours. No one will be left behind! Please contact Chantal Lewis for more information on telephone (01234) 219148.

Bedford River Festival 2010

CCNB alongside both Sustrans and CTC shared a gazebo in the Active Travel area near the Embankment just east of the Butterfly Bridge at this biannual event on Saturday/Sunday 17/18 July 2010.

Bike Week 2010

This year's event took place between 19 and 27 June 2010 and had the slogan 'Everyday Cycling for Everyone'.

CCNB had a joint stand with Sustrans outside the Bedford Central Library in Harpur Square on Saturday 19 June 2010.

Draft Allocations and Designations Plan - Consultation (updated 24 August 2010)

Consultation on the draft plan was published on 31 May 2010 and open for responses until 13 July 2010. The plan when adopted will become a Development Plan Document (DPD) under the Bedford Development Framework.

Under Designations it seeked to identify a future cycle network for the urban area and urban fringe. The document can be viewed from the Borough's website.

The responses to this consultation are now being collated and assessed. The comments will help inform the next draft of the Plan (the Pre-Submission draft), which is scheduled to be published for a futher six weeks' consultation between January and March 2011. It is anticipated that the Plan will then be submitted to the Secretary of State for approval in July 2011.

Bedford Station Planning Application (updated 24 August 2010)

An application for full planning permission for the demolition of the existing Bedford Station and the erection of a new two storey railway station on an adjoining site was orginally open for comments with a response deadline of 28 June 2010. The documents can be viewed from the Planning website under the application number 10/01193/MAF.

On 15 June 2010 Network Rail withdraw the application due to Government cutbacks and it is anticipated that it will not be built until at least 2016.

The proposed platform extensions allowing 12 car trains to stop at Bedford will, however, still go ahead with completion expected by December 2011.

Bedford Station Quarter Planning Application (updated 24 August 2010)

An application for outline planning permission for the Bedford Station Quarter was originally made public on 14 May 2010 and was open for responses until 4 June 2010. Owing to the withdrawal of the separate application for the Station (see above) the application has not been determined to date. The document can still be viewed from the Invest in Bedford website.

New Bedford Town Centre Cycle Stands

New cycle stands were installed in the town centre during March 2010 at St Paul's Square (South), Midland Road and Howard Street.

St Neots Road Bedford - Pegasus Crossing (updated 24 August 2010)

Although work started during late February 2010 on the construction of a Pegasus crossing of St Neots Road just east of the Norse Road roundabout as of mid August it had still not been opened due to a delay in providing a bridge on the southside across Renhold Brook and problems in obtaining the ends for the safety barrier.

The crossing, for horse riders, cyclists and pedestrians, will make it safe for families, etc to easily reach Route 51 and the Riverside Loop to Danish Camp. An off-road link from the crossing to the entrance to the cemetery on Norse Road will be provided in the 2011/12 financial year subject to finance being available.

De Parys Avenue Bedford - Resurfacing

De Parys Avenue was finally resurfaced during the February 2010 half term holiday after several years of campaigning for it to be done by CCNB. Road markings at the north end were completed several weeks later.

The road had deteriorated badly, particularly where cyclists ride, due to numerous utility workings over the last pedestrians. The eventual aim is to close the street for general traffic and to introduce a two way north/south cycle route.

The consultation document can be seen on the following link.

Highway Problems - Potholes (posted 7 February 2010)

A reminder that if, after all the winter bad weather, you find any potholes, etc in the highway or cycle track, please contact Bedford Unitary Authority Helpdesk using any of the methods indicated.

If the Borough is not aware of the problem it will not be put right.

Green Travel Hub Displays

A sucessful Green Travel Hub display put together by Sustrans and CCNB was held at Bedford Central Library over the three week period from 11 to 30 January 2010.

This was followed by a display in Kempston Library in Halsey Road for two weeks from 8 February and a further one in the Bedford Town Hall reception for two weeks from 1 March 2010.

Bedford Borough Cycling Champion Appointed

Councillor Phil Merryman, Borough member for Goldington, was appointed by the Mayor in January 2010 as the Borough's 'Members Champion for Cycling'. His appointment should enable work put forward by CCNB and Borough Officers to be approved more easily by members.

Safer Cycling in De Parys Ward Bedford

To kick off a campaign by Bedford De Parys' Community Safety Forum for Safer Cycling in De Parys a 'ride past' event took place on 17 January 2010 where a number of cyclists rode down Goldington Road from the gyratory to Polhill Avenue and back to highlight to drivers that cyclists have the right to ride safely along roads.

The event was the first stage in a long term campaign to encourage cycling along main roads by educating both cyclists and vehicle drivers.

Cyclists were briefed by a member of the Borough's Road Risk Advisory Team prior to the ride.