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Camera enforcement to help police tackle illegal driving will improve road safety and cut congestion


We're preparing to start enforcement of existing moving traffic restrictions, initially at 10 problem locations, in order to improve road safety and reduce congestion. 


In the coming weeks, we will use Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras to tackle illegal and dangerous driving activities, such as turning up one-way streets, ignoring no entry signs, exceeding weight limits and driving in pedestrian zones. This follows a public consultation last year.


While police will continue to have powers, traffic police cannot be at all trouble spots all the time to personally witness contraventions, so cameras at target locations will make enforcement more consistent, effective and hopefully be a deterrent.


In the coming weeks, cameras will be installed on existing lampposts or new posts at the trouble spots where monitoring and public feedback show restrictions are breached most. The presence of cameras does not create any new restrictions, only helps with enforcement of current rules.


See the 10 initial locations and discover more in our press release.

Remembering the victims of the Holocaust

 

Tomorrow (Saturday 27 January) is Holocaust Memorial Day – a chance to remember the millions of people murdered under Nazi persecution during the Second World War.

 

Holocaust Memorial Day occurs every year on January 27 - the anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945. 

 

Promoted by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), this year’s theme for the memorial day is Fragility of Freedom, which encourages people to reflect on how their freedoms need to be valued, and on how many people around the world face restrictions to their freedoms to live, worship, work and love freely.

 

Councillor Neil Knowles, the Royal Borough’s mayor, said: “It’s very important to continue to remember the Holocaust as a human tragedy that must never happen again and pay our respects to those who suffered.


“Holocaust Memorial Day is a chance to remember the victims, to honour the survivors of regimes of hatred, and consider the lessons of history to help inform our lives today. In the Royal Borough, we also pay tribute to the immense humanitarian efforts and humility of the late Sir Nicholas Winton, who helped to rescue hundreds of Jewish children who were at risk of being murdered by Nazi Germany.”

Reminder: Demolition to begin of closed Broadway car park in Maidenhead

 

Work to demolish the closed Broadway multi-storey car park in Maidenhead will start next week.


The demolition will begin on Monday 29 January and is expected to take around 12 weeks – quicker than originally envisaged. We've waited until after the crucial Christmas trading period to start this work following safety hoarding going up around the building at the end of last year.


The demolition will be carried out from east to west with the spiral ramp and staircase tower being the last part of the car park to be removed.


A full road closure of Broadway will be required for several days towards the end of the work, in order to enable the safe demolition of parts of the structures. Dates and timings will be publicised in advance once confirmed.


Read more in our press release.

Marking the Year of the Dragon with Lunar New Year celebrations


Lunar New Year celebrations kick off in style on Saturday 10 February with the return of the much-loved Lion Dance Parade. 


Established in Maidenhead in 1997, performers from the Eagle Claw Kung Fu School UK have teamed up with Make Maidenhead to bring this spectacular event to the town centre. 


The traditional Lion Dance, Kung Fu performance and thunder drumming, producing an exciting display of colour and rhythm, will start at 12.30pm from the Boy and the Boat statue on the High Street. 


The children, young people and families can prepare for the celebrations with a Lunar New Year inspired free craft activity hosted by Craft Coop, taking place in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre from 10.30am.


Celebrations continue in Windsor the first time this year, with the Lion Dance taking place in Windsor Royal Shopping Centre at 3pm on the same day, Saturday 10 February.


Read more in our press release.

Local businesses get ready to FLIP! The Maidenhead Pancake Race is back


Maidenhead businesses are invited to apply to take part in the annual charity Pancake Race which will take place on Tuesday 13 February. 


Taking place in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre, businesses battle it out in a series of heats to win the Fastest Flippin’ Finishers title. Races begin at 12.30pm.


Will our 2023 champions, Shanly Homes hold on to their crown? Or will they be knocked off the top spot?


Mascots from local organisations can apply to take part in the Fancy Dress race.


Businesses who are brave enough to take on the challenge can apply online through the online portal: Pancake Race Application. (Deadline for applications Friday 9 February).


Applications cost £20 per team (2 people), with all fees being donated to our 2024 chosen charity – Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice.  


Read more in our press release.

Reminder: Have your say on proposed extra support for disabled people to have home adaptions


There's still time to have your say on a draft policy which, if approved, would mean extra financial support for disabled people to have household adaptions, helping them to live safe and independent lives at home. 


Let us know your views on our draft Disabled Facilities Grant and Housing Assistance Policy, which would be used to decide applications for funding assistance for eligible works, including ramps, stair lifts, level access showers and door-widening.


Several additional packages of discretionary assistance are proposed, above and beyond the statutory support already offered to disabled people. This includes a new means-tested top-up on the mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants for those in financial hardship, doubling the maximum available for eligible works to £60,000.

 

The consultation started in early December and runs until Friday 2 February 2024. Take part on our website and read more in our press release.

Reminder: Free numeracy programme to improve lives

 

If you find numbers a challenge, you can improve your numeracy skills and gain confidence to tackle everyday budgeting or get a new job, with our free maths programmes.

 

We and partner training providers have created the sessions for people aged 19 years and over who do not have GSCE maths at grade C or the equivalent.

 

Designed to help with everyday activities like shopping and cost of living issues, these sessions are designed to improve specific skills, like budgeting, helping children with homework or improving maths skills for work.

 

Upcoming courses include:


  • Cooking on a budget, main meals - Berkshire College of Agriculture on Monday 29 January.
  • Cooking on a budget, desserts and treats - Berkshire College of Agriculture on Monday 5 February.


The government-funded Multiply programme is to help adults improve their numeracy skills. This adds to the council’s work supporting skills and employability. To view and register for courses, visit the website.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


Here are just some of the upcoming community events and volunteering opportunities in the Royal Borough:


  • Talkin’ Tables: Let's talk, Maidenhead (Every Tuesday, 10.30am for an hour) - Rio Deli Café in Maidenhead Library. Maidenhead Bridge Rotary is thrilled to announce the arrival of Talkin’ Tables. Come join us for meaningful conversations, meet new people, and make lasting connections. Just look out for the Talkin’ Table sign and take a seat! See you there!


  • Dementia Drop-In Groups. Friendly advice and refreshments. Meet others in a similar situation, talk through issues and ways of coping and learn about community resources. First Thursday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Boyn Grove Library, Courthouse Road, Maidenhead, last Thursday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Oakbridge Day Centre, Imperial Road, Maidenhead and first Wednesday of every month, 10.30am to 11.30am - Boyn Grove Library, Courthouse Road, Maidenhead. 


  • Candlemass Service (Sunday 28 January, 3pm) - St Michael's Church, Bray. A service for children of all ages. A last look back at Christmas and a first look towards Easter!


  • Tesco Dedworth Volunteer Network Meeting (Friday 2 February, 11am to 12.30pm) - Meeting room, Tesco, Dedworth. Customers who would like to get involved in the community but who are unsure of how they might add value are invited to come and hear from our Tesco Heroes about the projects that they get involved in. For more information visit. Register online or at Customer Services.


  • Pub & Pastries Seniors Social (Monday 5 February and Monday 4 March, 11am - 12.30pm) - The Fox & Castle Pub, Old Windsor. Relaxed, friendly, sociable gathering for our sensational seniors, their friends & family. Warm & welcoming to those experiencing dementia & other conditions, at any age, and any stage. Free entry. Small charge for hot drinks. Hosted on behalf of Age Concern. More information contact jo.halstead@homeinstead.co.uk or call 01784 335 804.


  • WEA Maidenhead Branch with Oxford University Study Day (Monday 5 February 10.15am to 4pm) - Norden Farm - face to face and live streaming). Our subject is History and Myth in Painting, Sculpture and Photography For more information visit or contact Steph Diggon email or call 01628 563676).


  • Community Networking Night (Wednesday 7 February, 6.30pm) – MyWorkSpot, York Road, Maidenhead. Calling all residents, businesses and community leaders. Don't miss the chance to connect and collaborate at our Community Networking Night. For more information and to register just click here.


  • Later Living Event (Friday 9 February, 10am to 2.30pm) - Desborough Bowling Club, Green Lane, Maidenhead SL6 1XZ. Join us for insightful discussions and refreshments. Stalls and information to showcase everything you need and more to continue enjoying your later years. Free entry.


  • Turning Wine into Aid (Friday 9 February, 7.30pm) - Maidenhead URC Church, West Street, Maidenhead SL6 1RL. Led by a wine expert this evening will help us understand wine and what we can eat with it! All profits will help Aid for Ukraine. For more information and tickets visit.


  • Windsor Artists Collective Art Exhibition (Saturday 10 February and Sunday 11 February, 12pm to 5pm) - Northcote House, Audley Sunningdale Park. Original arts, prints and cards from Windsor Artists Collective. For more information visit.


  • Lunchtime Recital Given by The Dryads Duo (Wednesday 14 February, 1pm) - All Saints Church, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead. We are pleased to welcome the locally-based Dryads Duo to All Saints who will present an attractive and accessible programme of music for Violin and Piano. In this recital they will play the 3 Romances Op. 22 by Clara Schumann; Sonata BWV 1017 by J. S. Bach, and the well known Sonata by César Franck. There will be a soup lunch available at the church from 12.15pm. Donations to the Ripple Effect Charity.


  • Local community group I Love Windsor is putting together a Directory of Windsor Community Groups & Charities for 2024. We will feature your communty group & charity in Windsor on our website. For more information and application form visit. The deadline for completion is the end of January 2024.


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.


To see further volunteering opportunities in the borough, or for another way for community organisations to promote volunteering opportunities, please visit RBWM Together.

Our consultations - have your say


We regularly hold consultations and surveys to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough.


Participating, sharing ideas, and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard.


Our current consultations are:

Local Travel Updates


Rail - industrial action


The ASLEF union has announced industrial action, taking place between Tuesday 30 January and Monday 5 February. This includes strike action on the SWR network on Tuesday 30 January and action affecting the GWR network on Monday 5 February. Visit the SWR and GWR websites for updates.


Rail - engineering work


From Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 February planned improvements will close lines in the Wokingham area. Rail replacement bus services will operate between Ascot, Bracknell and Reading. Please check before you travel. For more information, visit the SWR website.


Council highways works


For details of further 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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