Latest news with #NicolaGribble
BBC News
17-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bedford council wins Bees' Needs award for wildlife corridors
A council that transformed intensively mown areas into thriving wildflower corridors to help insects and wildlife has won an award. Bedford Borough Council was honoured with the Bees' Needs Champion Award 2025 for its pollinator-friendly initiatives. It previously won in 2021. The authority said it had worked to provide food and shelter for animals, as well as "safeguard open spaces from vehicle incursions by planting wildflower-rich landscape features along park boundaries". Independent councillor Nicola Gribble said: "By creating these wildflower corridors, we are not only safeguarding biodiversity but also enriching the green spaces our community loves." Since 2023, corridors at Putnoe Park (also known as Bowhill), as well as open spaces at Newnham Avenue, Woodcote Open Space, and Chiltern Avenue, have created "vital nectar-rich habitats for bees, bugs, and other pollinators", the council said. "This work supports biodiversity, enhances visitor experience, and encourages the wider community to take action in support of pollinators," it added. Gribble said protecting pollinators was essential for a "healthy environment and a vibrant borough". She added: "This award recognises the hard work of our teams and the positive impact we can have when we prioritise nature in urban areas."The wildlife-friendly schemes were funded through Council Capital Funding. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Green bin collections halted after waste site fire at Elstow
Green waste bin collections have been suspended for two weeks after a large fire at a landfill blaze broke out at the Elstow Waste Transfer Site near Bedford at about 21:00 BST on the facility is now out of operation, Bedford Borough Council said "priority waste" would have to be transported to an alternative site, meaning green waste kerbside collections had to be halted Elstow site is still being monitored by the fire service but the A6, between Wixams and the A421 south of Bedford, was reopened on Sunday night. Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service said it was working with the Environment Agency, the UK Health and Security Agency, police and the council on a "controlled burn" strategy at the council has apologised to residents affected by the suspension of green waste and said they should use the household waste recycling centre at Barkers Lane to dispose of any excess green waste during this time. Nicola Gribble, the council's independent portfolio holder for environment, said: "We regret the disruption caused by the fire at the Elstow Transfer Station and are working tirelessly to minimise the impact on our residents. "Suspending green waste collections was a difficult but necessary decision to prioritise essential waste services and public safety." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
