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Climate change: get on your bike As part of our climate change campaign, we’re encouraging you to drive less and walk or cycle more. Swapping a car journey for a cycle can strengthen your immune system, help you lose weight, and (according to the University of Glasgow) it can even reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer by 50%. If you need inspiration, the National Cycling Network has loads of local routes available, including the Jubilee River. More information about cycling in the Royal Borough can be found on our website. When cycling, remember to wear a correctly fitted helmet, use lights and reflective clothing if cycling after dark, and keep a safe distance from moving vehicles. Check out the Think website for more cycling safety advice. Learn more about our climate campaign in our press release.

Time running out to take part in Windsor Town Council consultation You have until Wednesday 2 June to share your views on proposals to create a new Windsor Town Council. Under the plans, the council would be made up of 21 elected members, representing 10 wards, with its first elections on 4 May 2023. The town council would be responsible for allotments and other services that are still to be determined. Once individuals have been elected and the town council has established itself, it could take on additional duties if the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead agrees. To respond, visit our website. To learn more, read our press release.

Shape the future of Maidenhead   Take part in our Maidenhead community response project to help build on our existing community resources and shape the local area.   Meetings focusing on local issues such as community safety, employment, and health and wellbeing are due to take place in June. To book and find out more, visit the RBWM Together website.   RBWM Together provides a space for grassroots community projects to grow, share ideas, and connect with people across the Royal Borough.   If you have any questions, please contact Jesal Dhokia or Claire Kellow at volunteer@RBWM.gov.uk

Visit our local independent pubs and restaurants We can all once again visit indoor hospitality venues, including our local independent pubs and restaurants. There’s loads of great places to eat in the Royal Borough including riverside views at The Boathouse in Maidenhead, countryside catering at The Greene Oak in Windsor, alfresco eats at The Barn in Ascot, and historic dining at the Castle Hotel Windsor. Bookings are limited to six people from different households, or a larger group from two households. Visit the Government website to learn more. Check out the Visit Windsor website for more about our local pubs and restaurants.

Youth matters The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, and Achieving for Children, are looking for young people to join our Youth Council.   The Youth Council supports young people to help them get involved in their communities, and ensure they have a say in decisions affecting them.   For more details visit the Achieving for Children website, or email Elaine Keating, youth engagement officer, before Monday 31 May. You can also learn more in our press release.

The Big Bike Revival As part of Cycling UK’s Big Bike Revival, Maidenhead and Windsor Cycle Hubs is holding pop-up workshops to carry out free bike safety checks. These drop-in sessions check and adjust crucial bike parts such as brakes, tyres, and gears. The sessions are due to run from 8.30am – 4.30pm: ·      Tomorrow (22 May) at Desborough School in Maidenhead ·      Monday 24 May outside Maidenhead Town Hall   Email comms@cyclehub.org.uk to book. More details are on the Cycle Hub UK Facebook page.

You’ve got a great new business idea, but what next? If you want to set up a new business, but aren’t sure what to do next, apply for the Pre-Accelerator Programme. Only 20 spaces are available, so make sure you register at info@berkshirebusinesshub.co.uk before midnight on Monday 24 May. Visit the Berkshire Business Hub website to learn more.

Are you and your family fire ready? Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) asks you to clear any clutter that may be blocking your escape routes, and to make sure your loved ones know how to get out, stay out, and call 999 in the event of a fire. Every second counts when escaping a fire, and blocked exits, locked doors, or unfamiliar surroundings can put you and your loved ones at increased risk. Visit the RBFRS’ making an escape plan page to learn more about keeping you and your family safe.

Get involved in local town forum meetings If you’d like to have your say on issues affecting Maidenhead and Windsor town centres, we want to hear from you. You can suggest discussion topics for the Maidenhead Town Forum or Windsor Town Forum as well as attend and contribute to the virtual meetings. Agendas are published a week in advance, so you can see what councillors will be discussing, and get involved if there’s a topic you’re interested in. Your discussion suggestions will be added to a future agenda if appropriate. The next Windsor Town Forum is on Wednesday 26 May (next week). To learn about how to get involved, email mark.beeley@rbwm.gov.uk (for Maidenhead Town Forum) or fatima.rehman@rbwm.gov.uk (for Windsor Town Forum). You can watch the meetings live on our YouTube channel.

Night flights restrictions - Heathrow Airport A consultation on night flights restrictions at Heathrow Airport beyond 2024 has been extended by the Department for Transport. It will now run until Friday 3 September so please respond if you can. Visit the Department for Transport website to have your say.

Are you green-fingered and proud? If your garden is something to boast about, and it’s visible from a public footpath or road, you can enter it into our annual Garden in Bloom competition. Submit your entry on our website, email gib@rbwm.gov.uk, or post it to the Mayor’s Parlour at the Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF. The closing date for entries is Wednesday 30 June. Read our press release to learn more.

Have your say We regularly hold consultations to get your views on proposals within the Royal Borough. Responding to our consultations and giving your feedback is the best way to ensure your views are heard. Our current consultations are: Windsor Town Council consultation – deadline Wednesday 2 June Consultation on changing the age range at Wessex Primary School - deadline noon Thursday 3 June Single person discount review – ongoing consultation Developing proposals for new school places - provide comments on the feasibility studies for school expansion – ongoing consultation More information can be found on the consultations pages of our website.

M4 closures The M4 is due to be closed in both directions this weekend between junctions 6 (Slough), and 8/9 (Maidenhead), from 8pm today to 6am on Monday. The M4 will also be closed between junctions 3 (Hayes) and 4b (M25 interchange), from 8pm on Friday 4 June to 6am on Monday 7 June. Visit the Highways England website for more details on the M4 smart motorway scheme.

Keep in touch Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on Twitter and Facebook. Other accounts you may be interested in: Royal Borough official tourism web page.   Libraries on Facebook and Twitter. Windsor & Royal Borough Museum web page. MyRoyalBorough on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Make Maidenhead on Twitter and Facebook.