Cllr Tom Wootton attended the Wyboston Ward Forum yesterday evening to discuss a range of issues with residents including the problem of speeding in the villages.

The Ward Forum is a regular meeting which brings together parish council representatives and local people from the villages in Wyboston Ward, namely: Bolnhurst; Keysoe; Colmworth; Duloe; Little Barford; Little Staughton; Roxton; Staploe; Wilden; Wyboston; Chawston, and; Colesden.  The meeting venues are rotated around the parishes and on this occasion the meeting was kindly hosted by Staploe Parish Council.

Cllr Wootton, along with Borough Council officers the local Police Community Support Officer (PCSO), updated the meeting on matters such as policing, housing, highways and schools.

An issue of particular concern for residents and Cllr Wootton is speeding in the villages.  Volunteers in the Ward in areas such as Little Staughton, Bolnhurst and Keysoe have started Speed Watch groups whereby they conduct their own speed checks and those caught speeding receive warning letters from the Police.  Despite this, there is concern that Bedfordshire Police has not been conducting enough of their own speed checks.  The PCSO reassured the meeting that the Police use the data provided by Speed Watch groups and this will lead to more speed checks being undertaken in problem areas.

Cllr Wootton was also pleased to update the meeting on the return of the Roxton to Alban Academy school bus following a long campaign by parents. 

Cllr Wootton said:

‘The Ward Forum is a great opportunity for Wyboston Ward residents to ask questions of representatives of organisations such as Bedford Borough Council, Bedfordshire Police and of course me as their Borough Councillor.  It is also a chance for them to share ideas and work together on an array of issues.’