The Morning Edition: Rails and Rents

A live radio broadcast from the high street of Bedford, where a new rail link is bringing sudden change.

The Morning Edition: Rails and Rents

True or false?

The new rail link is expected to bring commuters from London.

• True
• False

Amanda is a newcomer who moved to Bedford last autumn.

• True
• False

Rising rents have already forced several independent shops to close.

• True
• False

Amanda plans to retire and travel the world next year.

• True
• False

Kevin surprises everyone by buying the bakery to save it.

• True
• False

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Noah: Good morning, Bedford. I'm Noah Vance, and today on Local Horizons we're standing on the high street, where the new rail link is expected to bring thousands of daily commuters from London. With me is Amanda, who runs the town's oldest bakery, and Kevin, a newcomer who moved here from Manchester last autumn. Amanda, let's start with you. You've seen this ____ change a lot. How are you feeling about the regeneration plans?
• Amanda: Well, Noah, to be honest, I'm quite worried. We've watched rising rents force three ____ to close their doors already this month. The council talks endlessly about high street revival, but frankly, it feels like we're on the verge of losing our local character entirely.
• Noah: That's a very blunt assessment. And Kevin, as one of the newcomers who arrived during the recent ____ , how do you see it? Are you enjoying the new development plans?
• Kevin: I understand Amanda's fears completely. Everyone loves the quiet charm of this place, and nobody wants to see boarded-up shops replaced by endless ____ . But change is inevitable, isn't it? The town is slated to grow whether we like it or not.
• Kevin: Well, actually, Noah, that's where you're wrong. I've been talking to a solicitor all week, and I'm poised to buy the bakery myself this afternoon. We're going to turn it into a ____ so Amanda can keep baking forever.

Sources: photo by Jimmy Liao on Pexels