Tag: Bedfordshire

‘Access for All’ Biggleswade – July 2024 Update

Today, Wednesday 24th July, we met once again with Network Rail and local stakeholders including local Councillors and local MP, Richard Fuller. You can read my previous update from our last meeting in May, which announced a further delay here: https://julianvaughan.blog/2024/05/09/lifts-at-biggleswade-delayed-until-summer-2025/ At the last meeting, we were told that a new quote from the contractor … Continue reading ‘Access for All’ Biggleswade – July 2024 Update →

Access for All – nominated stations

On 24th May 2024, the government announced the 50 stations set to benefit from the £350 million of funding for step-free access as part of the funding settlement for Control Period 7 (2024-2029). You can find the full list here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding/railway-stations-awarded-access-for-all-accessibility-funding *South Croydon makes an appearance in this list, even though it was actually awarded … Continue reading Access for All – nominated stations →

Lifts at Biggleswade delayed until Summer 2025

Biggleswade station, located on the East Coast Mainline in Bedfordshire, and a growing commuter town, was awarded 'Access for All' funding in April 2019. Since then the project, now on its fifth Network Rail project lead, has faced several delays and we have moved from a completion date of Summer 2022, to a provisional date … Continue reading Lifts at Biggleswade delayed until Summer 2025 →

An open letter to Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines

In April 2019 Biggleswade station was awarded 'Access for All' funding to provide lifts at the station. Five years on the much delayed scheme has been delayed yet again, and ironically we were informed of this delay in the same week that Andrew Haines set out how Network Rail, the organisation he has been the … Continue reading An open letter to Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines →

White Lines (Don’t Do it) feat. Central Beds Council

From recent evidence, it seems that Central Bedfordshire Council views road markings as a 'nice to have', rather than a vital aspect of road safety. This blog sets how I believe they are misinterpreting research in this area and how their current approach reduces the safety of the roads across Central Bedfordshire. I first raised … Continue reading White Lines (Don’t Do it) feat. Central Beds Council →

GTR’s answers to Arlesey/Biggleswade RUG questions

Recently, representatives from the Arlesey and Biggleswade rail user groups attended a meeting that we had called to discuss the poor service provided by GTR. The meeting was chaired by Richard Fuller MP, and the Passenger Services Director and other members of GTR's staff were present. Below are the questions that we put to them. … Continue reading GTR’s answers to Arlesey/Biggleswade RUG questions →

Are planning conditions worth the paper they are written on?

I will hold a hand up and say that up until a few weeks ago I did not know a great deal about planning conditions and S106 funding agreements. Since then, from delving into the lack of provision of cycle routes in my local area, and potential opportunities to improve their connectivity, I know quite … Continue reading Are planning conditions worth the paper they are written on? →

S106 Funding – an open letter to Central Beds Council

Following my research into how funding received from housing developers is spent in our communities, I posted The secret world of S106 funding blog on my social media. Of course, while social media can be a useful tool, it is no substitute for actually getting in touch with the decision makers directly. As the planning … Continue reading S106 Funding – an open letter to Central Beds Council →

The secret world of S106 funding

One of the most frequent issues that came up on the doorstep while campaigning during the Mid Bedfordshire by-election was the number of housing developments lacking associated infrastructure. Having walked around numerous housing estates over the last few months it seems that developers are permitted to lazily lob in a generic play area and completely … Continue reading The secret world of S106 funding →

Biggleswade Station Update – 15th May

Earlier today the Bedfordshire Rail Access Network (BRAN) team met with Network Rail, Richard Fuller MP, town and district Councillors and Govia Thameslink Railway to discuss the latest on the step-free project and the transport hub. The previous meeting took place on 3rd February and you can read a summary of that meeting here: https://julianvaughan.blog/2023/02/05/step-free-project-hits-the-buffers/ … Continue reading Biggleswade Station Update – 15th May →