Council offers lifts to those cut off by flooding

Natalia Pavliuk used the service driven by Jon Palling to attend a medical appointment

Residents disrupted by flooding have been offered lifts by a local authority.

Bedford Borough Council will send a 4x4 vehicle to people who need help after persistent rainfall caused flooding in the county on roads, such as the A421.

Councillor Jim Weir, portfolio holder for environment, highways and transport, said: "It needs to be something important, it can't be 'I need to get into my favourite betting shop'.

"It's a little lifeline we felt compelled, under an emergency situation, to put in there."

The car service has helped people cut off in villages reach the town centre

Natalia Pavliuk, from Stevington, Bedfordshire, used the transport option to attend a medical appointment in the town centre after her usual bus was no longer running.

She said: "I saw on the Facebook page that the borough council can support us with transport and it has been lovely. It's been helpful... I appreciate it."

Roads around Bedfordshire have been disrupted by flooding

Driver Jon Palling said since Monday, when the service started, he had mostly helped people struggling to get to the town centre from villages cut off by flooding such as Harrold, Carlton, Felmersham and Radwell.

He said: "Because of the road closures the taxis have to divert a long way round and it is quite expensive.

"[People] have been really appreciative of it because otherwise they're completely cut off."