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Bedford Borough Council issues warning over Blue-Green Algae Blooms
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Bedford Borough Council has issued a warning to residents and visitors over growing concerns about blue-green algae blooms that are appearing on areas of the lakes at Priory Country Park and some of the Borough’s watercourses.
Blue-green algae naturally occur on inland waters such as rivers and lakes, estuaries and in the sea. It plays an important role in freshwater and marine biodiversity but excessive amounts can result in the forming of blooms.
The forming of blue-green algae blooms produces toxins, which can kill wild animals, farm livestock and domestic pets, alongside the potential to cause skin rashes and illness if swallowed by humans. Blooms can also have a negative e ect on the appearance, quality and use of the water, as well as producing an unpleasant odour. The Council has reported their concerns to Public Health England and the Environment Agency (EA), in line with the EA’s written procedure, who will look at opportunities to resolve the issue. Local organisations that use the areas a ected have also been notifi ed.
If you notice a build-up of blue-green algae blooms on the surface of the water, you should report it to the Environment Agency’s incidents hotline by calling 0800 80 70 60.
Elstow Solar Farm goes live and begins saving over 900 tonnes of carbon emissions
Bedford Borough Council’s brand-new solar farm has been fully energised and is now exporting low-carbon electricity to the grid. The project is made up of over 8,000 solar panels, is capable of generating up to 4.2MW of electricity and is enough to power approximately 1,000 homes. Scott Lutton, Operations Director of Vital Energi explained, “Former open caste landfi ll sites can be problematic, but Bedford Borough Council have created an innovative solution which will transform the areas into a 21st-century solar farm. This approach will now generate huge carbon savings which will make a strong contribution to Bedford Borough on its net zero journey. The topography of the land is quite uneven, which made this a challenging project to install, but we’re delighted with the technical solution and it’s a great, new addition to Bedford’s low-carbon energy infrastructure.”
Bedford Borough Council have set ambitious targets of becoming net-zero by 2030 and the solar array will play an important role in meeting these targets.
News About Town
Don’t Get Locked In wins Trip Advisor’s Best of the Best Award
Not only did this Allhallows based escape room experience receive the Travellers’ Choice Award for 2022, they have also been awarded TripAdvisor’s highest honour, The Best of the Best Award! This means they are among the top 1% of listings on the site, rated and reviewed by real visitors.
Cathy Wright, Director commented, “We feel honoured, and this is due to the consistent hard work that we put into the design of our escape rooms, our customer service, the products available onsite, and our wonderful staff, giving our customers a fantastic experience.”
More info and booking:
www.dontgetlockedin.com
Step Back into Bedford’s History – New Walking Tours for 2022
Why not enjoy a relaxed and entertaining journey back through the ages, and find out more about the characters and buildings that are the fabric of Bedford’s thousand year history? The Bedford Association of Tour Guides run walking tours every Wednesday and Sunday morning, departing from outside the Old Town Hall in St Paul’s Square. Each walk is designed to last approximately 90 minutes at an easy pace, and should be suitable for those with limited or restricted mobility. Themes vary by date; you might enjoy The Life And Times Of John Bunyan, The Rise And Fall Of Bedford Castle or Bedford In World War II. Prices are £3 per adult and £1.50 per child – it’s a treat for all the family!
Prebooking is essential. More info and booking:
bedfordtourguides.org
Fully Restored ‘Blue Monk’ Revealed
The first of Bedford Borough’s High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) building works – the restoration of 19-21 High Street, currently home to Indian/Napalese restaurant Blue Monk – has been unveiled. Repairs include a newly painted front and comprehensive works to reinstate the fine Classical-style architectural design and detailing of this mid-C19th historic building.
One of the most striking improvements is the stunning restoration of the original lion-head stringcourse, which runs along the façade of the building. A number of these lion-heads were beyond repair, requiring replacements to be cast and installed alongside the originals to restore this iconic decorative feature.
More info: bedford.gov.uk/business/invest-in-
