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Preparation work begins for demolition of closed Broadway car park in Maidenhead

 

Work to prepare for the demolition of the closed Broadway multi-storey car park in Maidenhead starts today (Friday 17 November).


Safety hoarding will be erected around the site in advance of scaffolding going up around the building during December.


Demolition work is then due to commence in January, after the crucial Christmas shopping period, and is expected to take around 10 weeks.


Cabinet agreed in July to the demolition of the car park, to remove the safety risks posed by the failed structure, while reducing the potential for anti-social behaviour and town centre blight. The 1960s concrete structure is now beyond its economic life and in significant structural failure, due to water ingress eroding the reinforced steel and needs to be demolished.


At this stage no road closures will be required to install the hoarding and scaffolding, and we're working hard to avoid any impact over the peak Christmas trading period for businesses. We will continue to promote all parking options in Maidenhead through our Park Smart Maidenhead campaign.


Read more in our press release.

Have your say on proposed routes for subsidised bus services in the Royal Borough from 2024

 

You're invited to give your feedback on proposed routes for subsidised bus services in the Royal Borough from 2024 to ensure buses will call at the key destinations you travel to.

 

In the borough, around half of the bus routes are currently subsidised and we invest £1.1 million a year to support these. Every few years, bus companies are asked to compete for the contracts to run these services, as a way to ensure we get best value for the funding we provide.

 

The current contracts come to an end next summer, and we're now seeking feedback on the proposed locations and streets where buses will call within the new package of routes that we will ask bus companies to compete for.


A consultation runs until Wednesday 20 December and you can give your views by taking part in the surveys on our website.


If you don’t have online access, you are welcome to use the public-access computers available at all local libraries. If you require paper copies of the of the consultation documents and survey, these are also available from all libraries upon request. Read more in our press release.

Have your say on taxi licensing proposals in the Royal Borough

 

You're invited to have your say on taxi licensing proposals in the Royal Borough.


Our Licensing Panel has asked for a consultation on possible changes to the livery of taxis, including reducing or removing this, or if any changes should be linked to a move to electric or hybrid vehicles as and when this happens, so that they can be identified.

 

Taxis licensed by us are currently required to be white with a purple bonnet and boot and a large council coat of arms on the side.

 

Alongside this, we're also seeking people’s views on DBS requirements for all licensed taxi and private hire drivers.


A six-week consultation is underway and residents have until Friday 22 December to respond and can take part by visiting our website. Read more in our press release.

Padel tennis coming to Royal Borough to give sports pavilion at Braywick Park new lease of life


A company with big plans to transform an empty sports pavilion into a centre of excellence for padel tennis, one of the world’s fastest growing new sports, has been welcomed to the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead.

 

Cabinet has approved leasing the sports pavilion at Braywick Park, Maidenhead to Berkshire Padel with terms agreed to take a new 20-year lease on the former Sportsable building.

 

Berkshire Padel will invest significant capital into refurbishing and improving the building and constructing internal and external padel tennis courts to deliver a new sporting facility for the borough.

 

The company is working closely with the Lawn Tennis Association to expand the sport. The centre, as envisioned, will be capable of hosting national and international tournaments. Read more in our press release.

Reminder: Find out more about work to reduce flood risk


You’re invited to find out more about possible measures to reduce flood risk in the wards of Datchet, Horton and Wraysbury and Old Windsor at two drop-in sessions.

 

Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures is a project that is exploring measures to better protect up to 2,500 properties from flooding. 

 

We and the Environment Agency are working in partnership to find solutions that work for our communities and the environment. You are invited to meet the project team, learn more about the scheme and ask any questions you may have at one of the following sessions:

 

  • The Wraysbury Hub, 12a High Street, TW19 5DB, Friday 24 November, 11:30am to 4:30pm
  • Datchet Women’s Institute Hall, The Green, Horton Road, SL3 9EH, Saturday 25 November, 11am to 4pm.

 

If you're unable to drop in to either of these sessions, you can view the materials that will be on display on our project website after midday on Friday 24 November, or email THM.schemes@environment-agency.gov.uk if you have any questions.

Got an idea to improve health and wellbeing in your community?

 

You are invited to apply for funding from our Innovation Funding scheme, with applications welcomed until Friday 22 December.

 

The scheme, run in partnership with NHS Frimley, is for residents, or groups, in the Royal Borough with ideas to improve health and wellbeing in their communities. Successful applicants will receive one-off funding of up to £2,500 to get their project up and running. 

 

Ideas must show how they’ll tackle one of the following:

 

  • Access to services to improve people’s health
  • Social isolation and loneliness
  • Health prevention to reduce risk factors
  • Reduce mental or physical health inequalities.

 

These ideas must also reflect local issues/themes raised at World Cafés and must last for at least 12 months.

 

For more details on the application process, please visit the RBWM Together website.

Funding workshops with the Royal Borough Communities Team


Our Communities Team has access to Grants Online, a database of funding opportunities from organisations and businesses across the UK.


The team would like to support local community initiatives - established and new - with accessing these resources.


If you would be interested in meeting with the team to discuss funding avenues for you and your community initiative or group, please register your interest via our website.


Once the team has collated the responses, it will set up funding workshops. You will be able to book individual slots with team members to receive bespoke support for your endeavour.

Book your tickets for the Mayor’s Charity Christmas Meal

 

The Mayor, Councillor Neil Knowles, invites you to join him for an early festive celebration at his charity Christmas meal at Windsor Guildhall, on Friday 1 December, at 7pm. 


Tickets cost £65 each in aid of Blue Acre Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation. The dress code is black tie. 

 

Tickets are available on a first come first served basis, so please visit our website to learn more and book your place before midday on Thursday 23 November.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight


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


  • Autumble table top sale (Saturday 18 November, 10am to 12pm) - Clewer Green First School, Hatch Lane, Windsor, SL4 3RL. Entry for buyers is free and it’s a great chance to pick up some pre-loved bargains.


  • Autumn fayre (Saturday 18 November, 10am to 4pm) - Cookham Dean WI Hall, SL6 9PD. Run by St John the Baptist Church, Cookham Dean. Raffle for fabulous hampers, home cooking stall and homemade cake stall. Refreshments available all day. For further details email info@cookhamdeanchurch.org.uk


  • Christmas bazaar (Saturday 18 November, 10am to midday) - St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church. Home baked cakes, stationery, a Christmas stall, CDs/DVDs, bric-a-brac, raffle and a tombola. The Explorer Scouts will have their Christmas sweet shop, face painting and children's games. All welcome - free entry. Coffee and mince pies. Funds raised go to St Mark's Crescent Methodist Church Fund. Email info@stmarksmaidenhead.org.uk 


  • Windsor & Maidenhead Symphony Orchestra (Saturday 18 November, 7.30pm) - Baylis Hall, Braywick Leisure Centre. The orchestra will be joined by the Royal Free Singers, Maidenhead Choral Society and four professional soloists to perform Verdi's Requiem. Tickets here.


  • Autism in Girls talk (Tuesday 21 November, 7pm) - Furze Platt Senior School Theatre. Cathy Wassell, who runs the charity, Autism in Girls Network, will talk about how girls are often diagnosed much later than boys due to misconceptions about how autism presents itself. Cathy can talk both personally and professionally about the challenges of getting a diagnosis and gives practical tips and techniques for those who care for children and teenagers. Ticket prices are £5 to cover the cost of hosting Cathy at our theatre. Book here.


  • GoodGym Windsor and Maidenhead (Wednesday 22 November) - Burchetts Green CE Infant School are welcoming the group to its leafy playground to help with jobs such as sweeping leaves, cutting back hedges and weeding. More information here.


  • The Arts Society Windsor November lecture - "The Holiday Season: Food and Feasting in Art” (Wednesday 22 November, 1.30pm) - Old Windsor Memorial Hall, SL4 2RN. Presented by Sarah Ciacci. Visitors welcome. Further details on the website.


  • Quiz evening (Thursday 23 November, starting at 7pm) - Spencer Denney Centre, Park Corner, Windsor. Tickets £15 a head and will include a fish, chicken or veggie burger and chips. All proceeds are going to Age Concern Windsor to help support services for older people in and around Windsor. Bring your own refreshments (soft drinks will be on sale, before the start and with the meal). Come as a team or join one on the night. For more information and to book call 01753 860685 or email info@ageconcernwindsor.org.uk 


  • Maidenhead Music Society presents the pianist Margaret Fingerhut playing Around the World in 88 piano keys (Thursday 23 November, 7.45pm) - Norden Farm. The title comes from a recital tour in 2019 on the theme of migration, in which Margaret raised £88,000, one thousand for each piano key. Tickets £20, £15 for members, under 18s free with an adult. Details on the website. 


  • Visit Maidenhead Library for Movember (Friday 24 November, 7.30pm to 9.30pm) with a men’s health and wellbeing focus. For further information and tickets visit the website.


  • Christmas fair (Saturday 25 November, 1pm to 4pm) - Braywood Memorial Hall, Fifield, SL6 2NR. Craft stalls, artwork and Christmas gifts. Refreshments available, entry and parking free. Further details on the website or here.


  • Santa & his Elves (Saturdays - 25 November and December 2, 9 and 16, 11am to 3pm) - Square in the Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead. Children can meet Santa, take a selfie with him and receive presents.


  • Marshal at Santa Dash in Aid of Alexander Devine Children's Hospice (Sunday 26 November, 7.30am to 11am). Volunteers are needed to help marshal and cheer on runners at the 5K Santa Dash event in Windsor. The route takes runners through the Great Park as well as the town. Click here to register.


  • ECO Action Windsor & Maidenhead Question Time: Heat Pumps (Saturday 2 December, 11am to 12.30pm) – Central Atrium, Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead. Thinking about getting a heat pump? Question expert panellists. Chaired by Peter Gibbs, from BBC Radio 4, Gardeners’ Question Time. For more details click here.


  • Flower arranging demonstration (Thursday 7 December, 1pm to 3.30pm) - Holyport Memorial Hall, Moneyrow Green SL6 2NA. Held by Holyport Flower Arranging Club, there will also be a sale of floral Christmas decorations. Ample free parking on site. Carol Bennett (area teacher) will be making approximately six flower arrangements, all to be raffled at the end of the demonstration. Entry is £10 per person, to include a mince pie and a drink. For more information call Mona van der Knaap on 0776 113 9945.


  • Christmas concert with Ascot Brass Band and Taplow Choirs (Saturday 9 December, 7pm) - St. Mary's Church, Maidenhead, SL6 1YY. In aid of Alexander Devine and Thames Hospices. Tickets available here.


  • The Snow Queen by Mary Portalska (Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 December and Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 December, midday to 4pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall, Tickets available here or call 07375 111174.


  • Holyport Whist Club (Alternate Tuesdays, 2pm to 4pm) – Holyport Memorial Hall. New members and beginners are welcome. Call Jeanette Sperling on 01628 624442 or email jeanettesperling37@gmail.com to learn more.


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.

Local Travel Updates


Rail - industrial action


The ASLEF union has announced strike action on Wednesday 6 December and Thursday 7 December and a ban on overtime working from Friday 1 to Saturday 9 December that will affect train services. Check the SWR and GWR websites for updates.


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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