Latest news with #AndreaSpice
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
'Bedford "gateway' road fully reopens a year after work began
Two lanes of a "gateway" into a town are reopening nearly a year after work began to transform and regenerate the August, one lane on Midland Road, Bedford, has been shut to allow for work to repave, widen and improve the Luthra, from Bubbly's Travel, welcomed the reopening but said construction had had an impact on every business in the area and most customers had "stayed away". Andrea Spice, a Conservative at Bedford Borough Council, said the authority had worked really hard to "accommodate businesses". Midland Road will reopen to traffic both ways on Wednesday, the council said. The improvement work was part of the "Midland Road public realm improvements", which has been paid for through the Bedford Town Deal, a £22.6m government investment aimed at revitalising the town centre. Mr Luthra added: "Most of the customers stayed away, they don't come on this side, you talk to someone [they say] 'oh Midland Road nah, we're not going there because of the road closure'."It has affected every business a little bit here, the restaurant next door has suffered a lot." Ms Spice, portfolio holder for economic growth, planning and prosperity, said: "There were parts of the town you could park and walk to, you might not have been able to park right outside, I appreciate that."I hope shopkeepers know we've tried really hard to accommodate them and their businesses."We have improved the pavement, we've re-laid it, we have improved the pavement, it looks clean, it looks fresh, it's wider in parts."We've tried really hard to lift this part of town, which is a massive gateway for us because if you come off the train and you want to get into the town centre this is the road you walk down and this is your first impression of Bedford." Samantha Laycock, chair of the Bedford Town Deal Board, said: "This is just the beginning of Midland Road's transformation." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Bedford kite festival and classic car show returning
A celebration boasting kite displays and retro cars will return this summer – and it is expected to attract tens of thousands of Bedford Kite and Motoring Festival, a free biennial event, will take place on 21 and 22 June across Russell Park, The Embankment and Mill Grubb, one of the organisers, believes up to 40,000 people could flock to the town and the 300 cars on show will highlight "quality over quantity."Running from 10:00 until 16:00 BST, it will also feature live music, boat races and cruises on the river. "This festival embodies Bedford borough's commitment to bringing people together through shared passions," said Andrea Spice, Bedford Borough Council's Conservative portfolio holder for economic growth, planning and prosperity."From awe-inspiring kites to lovingly preserved vehicles, every element celebrates creativity and heritage."The two-day event will feature professional kite displays. Mr Grubb said the classic car show had become a "festival of motoring"."We've been careful with what we've picked, we're very choosey, we want quality over quantity", he added. Elsewhere on the river will be the Sue Ryder Dragon Boat Race, which will see more than 20 crews battle it out on the water. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
