Richard Bickford

Richard represents Saltash East on Saltash Town Council and has done since 2007, he lives in the ward with his wife Sarah, their daughter Sophie is currently studying medicine at Southampton University. Richard is the longest current serving Councillor, and during this time has served as Chairman of the Council/Mayor for two years.

Richard spent 25 years working for the University of Plymouth in a number of IT management roles, with responsibility for a number of corporate systems.

Whilst a Town Councillor Richard has been involved with many projects and initiatives to support and promote the town centre and Waterside areas. He is currently chair of the services committee, vice-chair of the station property sub-committee and the library sub-committee, and an active member of the Waterside improvement team and the connectivity team. Probably the most significant project Richard has lead, is to bring the derelict Railway Station building back into a good condition. Since the completion of the refurbishment the building has been widely used by the community of Saltash and is something to be proud of. Richard was determined that Saltash residents did not have to cover the whole cost of the project and worked tirelessly to attract external funding (over £0.5M) to help fund the refurbishment.

He has been a volunteer director at Community Enterprises PL12, for over 16 years. Community Enterprises run the Hub/Shop at no.4 Fore Street, the Kitchen at No.8, and 18 Belle View Road, (the home of Citizens Advice and Saltash Foodbank). Richard says CEPL12 can often achieve alternatives to the Town Council and feels the roles complement each other well.

Richard has also helped run the towns annual regatta for many years and has chaired the committee in the past. Richard said, ‘The regatta is a celebration of Saltash’s association with the river, held in an amazing setting spanning much of the Waterside.

As a passionate supporter of public transport use, Richard founded Saltash Rail User Group (SRUG) in 2006, to help promote the use of rail services from Saltash, and campaign for more services to call. Since its inception the number of trains stopping at Saltash has now more than doubled and usage has more than quadrupled. 

Richard is a trustee of St Barnabus Charity for Community Healthcare, a member of Saltash Healthcare Action Group, and a trustee of Ashtorre Rock, all community focused organisations within Saltash. 

In what little spare time he has, Richard enjoys sailing competitively, which he has done at top international level and walking in the local area.