Long-standing councillor gives name to street

The new affordable housing off Fairfield Road in Biggleswade has been named Vickers Close after Councillor Peter Vickers.

The town councillor and Central Beds councillor died last August at the age of 66.

Biggleswade mayor Hazel Ramsey said: “I’m particularly pleased that this development has been named after Peter Vickers.

“He was a local man all his life and he also advocated having local housing for local people so that they could keep in touch with their friends and their families.

“We think it’s an appropriate way to remember him.”

The ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 3. It was attended by Councillor Ramsey, Councillor Wendy Smith, former councillor David Smith, who was a great friend of Peter, Councillor Ian Bond and Councillor Jane Lawrence.

Councillor Ramsey added: “I was particularly pleased that they have got so many parking spaces. One of the concerns we had as a council was the fact that it might impact on the parking in Fairfield Road. Now I don’t think it will be a problem.”

She added that the homes will still be suitable for people as they age because there is room for a downstairs shower and a stairlift to be installed and the bathroom door is wide enough to fit a wheelchair through it.

Vickers Close has been built by Aragon Housing Association and its parent company, Grand Union Housing.

The site previously contained an outdated block of sheltered flats. It is now two and three bedroomed homes.