Biggleswade Deanery runs along the A1 Great North Road between Biggleswade in the south and Eaton Socon in the north. The 3 large parishes are on this axis with the smaller parishes lying either side between the outskirts of Bedford in the west and the border with Ely diocese on the road to Cambridge in the east. The smaller parishes are formed into benefices of 3 or 4 parishes. The 3 benefices to the west form the Ivel Group of parishes. Despite the rural image of the area, 70% of the population live in towns which are increasingly becoming dormitories with residents working elsewhere taking advantage of the excellent communications afforded by the A1 and the East Coast Main Line (with fast services to London) and the good road links with both Bedford and Cambridge.