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Construction starts on 100% affordable housing development in Maidenhead
We've
broken ground to officially mark the start of construction of our 100
per cent affordable housing scheme in Maidenhead.
Our £4m investment, at 20 Ray Mill Road West, will provide 14 one- and two-bedroom flats, including some social rent homes, with our Property Company delivering the scheme on our behalf.
This
week, representatives of the Royal Borough, our Property Company,
construction contractor Helix, scheme architect and technical consultant
gathered on the cleared site to celebrate construction work getting
underway, which is anticipated to be complete by autumn 2024.
Read more in our press release and watch our video on Facebook.
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Saddle up as final phase of Maidenhead Missing Links cycle route is completed
Cyclists
in Maidenhead now have a dedicated new 1.3km cycle route, making
healthy active travel across the town safer and more convenient, thanks
to the completion of the £2.8m Missing Links route.
We've
constructed the new route in phases, with the final part focused on
upgraded paths, a new bridge, landscaping, and signs at Town Moor. The
whole route connects current and future residential areas in the north
with the town centre and railway station to the south. Pedestrians can
also use it.
The
overall scheme, mostly funded by government’s Local Growth Fund through
the Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), includes improvements
at a number of key locations to help you transition to cycling or
walking for shorter journeys, supporting our work to tackle climate
change. We would like the route to be adopted into the National Cycle
Network in due course.
Read more in our press release and watch our video on Facebook.
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Demolition of closed Broadway car park due to start this autumn
Demolition of
the closed Broadway car park is due to start this autumn, to remove
safety risks posed by the failed structure, while reducing the potential
for anti-social behaviour and town centre blight.
The 1960s
concrete structure is unfortunately beyond its economic life and in
significant structural failure, due to water ingress eroding the
reinforced steel. Cabinet has agreed this work, which was the
recommended way forward to make the site safe.
Now the formal
call-in period on this decision has passed, a contractor will be
appointed. Levelling and clearance will take around a year, supported by
arrangements to minimise disruption on the town centre. While this
might seem a while, this time is needed to safely remove a large
multi-storey building in a busy, built-up area.
We will also be
looking at options to create a temporary car park once it has been
demolished. In the meantime, we'd again like to thank everyone for your
ongoing patience, and for continuing to play your part for Maidenhead
town centre by shopping locally and supporting traders.
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Maintenance work to our multi-storey car parks
We're undertaking maintenance work to the
Stafferton Way and Hines Meadow car parks in Maidenhead, and Victoria
Street in Windsor.
Work at the two Maidenhead car parks includes
redecorating doors and clearing the roofs of moss and debris. At
Stafferton Way the work will also include cleaning drains and downpipes.
At Victoria Street we'll be redecorating
stairwells as well as doors, replacing damaged sections of the crash
barriers along with pigeon preventative measures, and redecorating areas
of the toilets.
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Essential maintenance to Royal Windsor Way will futureproof vital route for years to come
Essential
maintenance work to repair the A355 and A332 Royal Windsor Way will
ensure this key transport link is ready for winter and for years to
come.
Our
important investment will see surface treatment work undertaken on both
the northbound and southbound carriageways next month, including crack
and joint sealing, and patching. The work will also include line
painting, new cats’ eyes and street lighting and barrier repairs.
The
project, which is being undertaken by VolkerHighways, our highways
contractor, will also include asphalt preservation work to help extend
the life of the surface.
Overnight
closures on the section of road between the B3024 Dedworth Road
roundabout in the south and the roundabout at the junction with the M4
in the north, will be in place from 8pm until 5.30am for 12 nights next
month. Both roundabouts will remain open.
Read more in our press release.
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Eton Wick Library temporarily closed
Please be aware that Eton Wick Library will remain temporarily closed for the time being.
We'd like to
thank residents for their ongoing patience and will provide an update as
soon as practically possible. Stay tuned to our Facebook and Twitter channels.
If you would
like to return or renew books over the coming days, and you would
usually visit Eton Wick, remember you can still return or renew books at
any Royal Borough library and you can also renew online.
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Free family activities at Braywick Nature Centre
A host of free family nature activities will take place at Braywick Nature Reserve on Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 August. They are a chance for children to explore three different habitats at the reserve – water, woodland and meadowland.
The activities themselves are free-of-charge, though places must be booked in advance, with the option to buy tasty plant-based food and refreshments afterwards on the Tuesday and Wednesday only. You can book a place here.
These family activities are in place of the Braywick Nature Festival, postponed due to bad weather last Saturday.
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Learn more about Berkshire's Local Nature Recovery Strategy
Find out more about Berkshire’s Local Nature Recovery Strategy at a series of free introductory webinars.
These will take place in September and October
and are tailored to various groups, including farmers, foresters,
landowners and land managers, councils, developers, interested
residents, businesses, NGOs and public bodies.
The strategy will prioritise areas where nature can be expanded and protected in Berkshire, and we’ve
been designated as Berkshire’s responsible authority for the strategy –
one of 48 such authorities across the country. Over
the next two years, we’ll lead the work with the county’s five other
unitary authorities, or supporting authorities, and their communities.
Through
consultation with the groups outlined above, a nature map of
opportunities will be created, as well as a list of priorities. Find out more and register for the webinars by visiting RBWM Together.
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Reminder: Free swimming sessions for local teenagers this summer to aid water safety
Young
people aged 13 to 17 years old can enjoy free swim sessions at two
popular leisure centres during the school summer holidays, thanks to a
water safety initiative.
Leisure
Focus, our leisure operator, in collaboration with local partners
including the council itself, is running its “Safe Summer Swim”
initiative, with a mission to reduce the risk of young people getting
into trouble in lakes and rivers.
The
programme offers free one-hour fun swim sessions for 13- to
17-year-olds at Windsor Leisure Centre and Braywick Leisure Centre
(weekdays only), until Friday 1 September, making swimming accessible and promoting water safety.
With
up to 40 spaces available per session, this initiative seeks to provide
local teenagers with an opportunity to learn essential water safety
skills, improve their swimming abilities, and foster a greater
appreciation for water-related activities.
Safe
Summer Swim is funded by Leisure Focus Trust, Louis Baylis Trust,
Shanly Homes, Baylis Media CIC, and the Royal Borough. Read more about
Safe Summer Swim on our website.
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Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forums - get involved
You are welcome to attend, listen to the discussion, ask questions and suggest items for future agendas at the next Maidenhead and Windsor Town Forum meetings.
The next Maidenhead Town Forum will be held on Tuesday 12 September at Maidenhead Town Hall from 6.30pm, and the next Windsor Town Forum will be held on Tuesday 19 September at York House, Windsor also from 6.30pm.
The meetings will also be streamed live on the council’s YouTube channel.
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Calling local businesses. Get your advert into every home in the Royal Borough
We are now inviting businesses to advertise in
Around the Royal Borough, our annual magazine for residents, which will
be hand-delivered to every home across the borough in early November.
This is your cost-effective route to reach more
than 65,000 households, with a range of advertising options available to
meet different marketing budgets and requirements.
For more information and to see last year’s edition of the magazine, visit our website. Please email any enquiries to our Communications Team at communications@rbwm.gov.uk
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Royal Borough Community Spotlight
Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough:
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Family drop-in sessions –
Want time to chill and meet friends, with a space to play and enjoy
craft activities with other families? Re:Charge family drop-in sessions
run from 10am to 2pm every Tuesday at Larchfield Community Centre,
Maidenhead and every Thursday at Wesley Hall, High Street Methodist
Church, Maidenhead. Admission is £1.50 per family, and hot drinks and
snacks are available. Learn more on the Re:Charge Maidenhead Facebook page.
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Wonderfully Made – All Saints Summer Fun Festival (14 to 18 August, 10am to 4pm, with some evening events). This is for the whole community with full days of fun and faith-filled activities for all ages.
Each day there will be Lego, crazy golf, bouncy castle, toddler toys
and a cafe open throughout these times. Please note: this is a public
event so kids will need to bring their adults. Feel free to bring a
packed lunch. For more details, visit the church's website.
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Come & Sing Country
(Tuesday 15 August, 7.30pm to 9.30pm) – Norden Farm Centre for the
Arts, Maidenhead. A totally inclusive singing session, all welcome. Event booking page.
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Old Windsor Handicraft, Produce & Horticultural Society 86th Annual Show
(Saturday 2 September) - Old Windsor Memorial
Hall. Categories for adults and children including arts, craft,
baking, flower arranging and horticulture. Entry forms due in by
Wednesday 30 August. See the Facebook group for more information and a copy of the show programme.
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Have you ever wanted to try choral singing? Open Evening
(Wednesday 6 September, 7.30pm to 9.30pm) - Trevelyan School, Wood
Close, Windsor. Come and enjoy an evening with community choir, the
Royal Free Singers. Vocal warm-ups, rounds and part-songs, suitable for
all, and an introduction to Verdi's Requiem, the group's next concert.
No charge, all welcome. Send an email to let the group know you're
coming or to ask any questions at membership@royalfreesingers.org.uk or visit the Royal Free Singers website.
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Volunteers to train as sound recordists for Maidenhead and District Talking Newspaper. The
Maidenhead and District Talking Newspaper Association was founded in
1984 and run by volunteers to offer a free service to bring audio
recordings of the Maidenhead Advertiser to the visually impaired
residents of the SL6 postal area. Sound
recordists are trained on its recording equipment that records the
teams who read the news and other articles from the Advertiser. For
further information or to volunteer please telephone 01628 631259.
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Volunteering for Maidenhead Community Watch Association.
Funding has been received to promote the association's Home Security
Assessment initiative, which is providing vulnerable and elderly
residents in Maidenhead with various free home security items. The
group has the need for a handyman/lady to help with fitting the free
security items as required (door chain, security lights, door spy
holes), and for someone to carry out the initial Home Security
Assessment. Training is provided at one brief session. Anyone interested
in participating can contact the association chairman, John Diack, on jrdmcw@gmail.com
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Younger People with Dementia (YPWD) volunteers needed. Do you have a caring nature, enjoy working with people, have an interest in dementia and like to be creative? Help the team support younger people with dementia at its activity-based workshops around Berkshire. For more information visit its website or email contact@ypwd.info.
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Volunteer with People to Places. The
Maidenhead-based charity is seeking volunteers to drive its accessible
minibuses, which provide transport to residents of the borough with
mobility challenges. The charity has experienced a significant increase
in journey requests for its dial-a-ride service since the pandemic and
desperately needs more volunteer drivers to meet this demand. By
becoming a volunteer driver with People to Places, you'll have the
opportunity to positively impact the lives of those in your community
who rely on the service. For more information on the driver roles, visit
the website, call 01628 587922, or email info@people2places.org.uk.
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Trustee vacancies.
Cookham Welfare Trust is a small charity which provides educational
grants to students in the Cookham area. It is looking to recruit local
residents to join the charity as trustees to help it grow and continue
to provide support to young people in the Cookham parishes. Committee
meetings are held quarterly at Elizabeth House in Cookham. You do not
need any previous experience of working with a charity or in the
education sector. To find out more about joining as a trustee
email cookhamwelfaretrust@gmail.com.
If you have
an upcoming not-for-profit community event or appeal for volunteers
you’d like to promote in this newsletter, simply send basic information
about your event to communications@rbwm.gov.uk and it could be shared with more than 21,000 local residents.
You just
need to include a brief description, when and where it takes place, and a
link to a website/social media page/contact where people can find out
more.
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Local Travel Updates
Rail - industrial action
Industrial action short of a strike by the ASLEF union could mean disruption until the end of tomorrow, Saturday 12 August. For updates, visit the GWR website and SWR website.
Engineering work
Planned engineering work is taking place on the South Western Railway network this weekend, Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 August, and the
lines between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside will
be closed for maintenance work. For more information, visit the SWR website.
Planned engineering work will mean the line between Staines and Windsor & Eton Riverside will also be closed from Monday 21 August to Saturday 26 August. Buses will replace trains. Check before you travel and for more information, visit the Network Rail website.
Roads - National Highways work
National
Highways will be carrying out essential repairs to the culvert which
takes the Bisham Brook under the A404. The main work will start on Monday 4 September and last for approximately 11 weeks.
During this
time, it will need to close the road and footpath from the end of The
Green beyond the play area off Marlow Road. This will also include
the closure of the footpath (#35) that runs alongside the A404 until it
meets the pedestrian crossroads. Access to properties and adjacent
farmland will be maintained. More information on its website.
Council highways works
For details of council works on highways, visit our website. For full local roadwork details, including work by utility firms, please visit the One Network website.
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