Bedfordshire is a shire county, mostly under the control of Bedfordshire County Council. This is divided into three local government districts, Bedford Borough, Mid Bedfordshire District and South Bedfordshire District. Additionally, Luton Borough is a unitary authority but is still regarded as part of Bedfordshire for many functions.
The River Great Ouse links Bedfordshire to the Fenland waterways. In 2004 there were plans to construct a canal linking the River Great Ouse at Bedford to the Grand Union Canal at Milton Keynes.
