From Thursday 29 December to Tuesday 10 January, there will be eight Christmas tree recycling sites across Bedford Borough. People can drop off real Christmas trees at any time. They will be collected by council staff and recycled at GBRS Ltd.
If you cannot plant your real Christmas tree in the garden please recycle it. If the trunk is less than 4 inches in diameter (just over the length of a credit card), trees can be cut up and put into your green bin. Drop off larger Christmas trees at these collection sites. Larger trees can also be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, opening hours can be found at www.bedford.gov.uk/hwrc.
Sites include:
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Hillgrounds Road, Kempston - opposite the shops near Hartwell Drive
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Jubilee Park, Bedford - opposite North Lodge, Canvin Way
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Milton Ernest Garden Centre, Radwell Road off the A6
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Mowsbury Park Car Park, Wentworth Drive, Bedford
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Podington Garden Centre, High Street, Podington
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Roxton Garden Centre, A421 near the A1 Black Cat Roundabout
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Seasons Garden Centre, Bedford Road, Wixams / Wilstead
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Household Waste Recycling Centre, Barkers Lane, Bedford
Receive alerts and information about bin collections and recycling by signing up for email bulletins at www.bedford.gov.uk/stayconnected.
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Bedford Borough Council is asking for your views on its Budget for 2023/24.
The Council has a strong track record of financial management and provides numerous different services to our 185,300 residents: from waste and recycling collection, street cleaning and homelessness services, to business support, social care and community safety.
However, as in recent years, we know we will have to make some difficult decisions during the setting of the 2023-24 budget to ensure resources continue to be prioritised and money is directed to where it is needed most.
The council faces significant financial pressures across the medium term, largely due to inflation pushing up the cost of delivering services, but also due to increasing demand for services and reduced funding in real terms from central government.
To manage these pressures, the Council will be continuing the approach within its Transformation Programme; making use of new technology and improving how they operate; and procuring goods and services more efficiently.
This Budget also outlines areas of longer-term ‘capital’ spending investing in the future for the Borough.
This includes:
- New schools and classrooms to meet the needs of a growing population.
- Investment in maintaining and improving our roads and pavements, including resurfacing of the Paula Radcliffe Way (A6)
- Improvements to our buildings to make them more energy efficient and tackle climate change.
- Purchasing council owned housing to provide emergency accommodation for the homeless that will save money on leasing accommodation.
- A new Railway Station serving Wixams
- Investing in pedestrian and cycling improvements, Midland Road, St Paul’s Square and Greyfriars junction as part of the Town Deal.
- Completion of Riverside enhancements opening up the Great Ouse urban area for all.
The findings from our consultation will be given to the Mayor and councillors as part of the evidence they will use to help them come to a decision about the budget proposals.
You can find out more and have your say at www.bedford.gov.uk/budget2023
You can respond via that website, or by emailing consultingbedford@bedford.gov.uk or by writing to Consulting Bedford, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP. Hard copies are available in libraries and on request.
Comments should be received by 6 January 2022 and may be published.
This year’s community tree planting will take place across five sites. Bedford Borough Council is asking people to volunteer and help plant over 8500 trees during January and February.
Volunteers need to email volunteering@bedford.gov.uk with their choice of site, their details, and those of anyone that will be joining them. Each booking slot is for up to one and a half hours of planting and multiple slots can be booked. An email will be sent to confirm the booking and details of the site, such as parking (if available).
Although the Council is encouraging people to use a more sustainable form of transport to get to the event, a small amount of onsite parking will be available at most sites.
No experience is needed as staff will be on hand to help with guidance and advice. Attendees should wear suitable warm clothing, including gloves and boots. Equipment, such as spades and clout hammers will be provided on the day but the Council are inviting people to bring their own, where possible.
This year’s tree planting is in partnership with the Forest of Marston Vale and funded through the Trees For Climate initiative.
The sites are:
- Brownswood 4 January – 3500 trees to be planted over 3.5 hectares of woodland, wood pasture and an orchard. Strictly no parking on site but spaces to drop off and pick up are available, What3Words location; ///directive.arranged.fight
- Longholme Way 21 January – Bedford’s first Miyawaki project, in partnership with Cranfield University and the Bedford Rotary Club. 3200 trees to be planted close together to create a mini-forest within 10 years. What3Words location; ///food.rounds.hours
- Maskell Drive 26 January – 1600 trees to be planted in the northern area of Maskell Drive to increase woodland plots. What3Words location; ///hats.mutual.fine
- Duchess Road 3 February – 120 trees to boost the local environment and help reduce noise pollution. What3Words location; ///beam.bucks.tonic
- Thor Drive date TBC – 110 trees to increase diversity in the Thor Drive greenspace. What3Words location; ///daisy.glee.late
Learn more about trees in Bedford Borough at; www.bedford.gov.uk/trees.
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