Refurbished Windsor footbridge reopens sooner for bank holiday weekend

The Windsor Coach Park footbridge has reopened today – slightly sooner than previously envisaged – after an extensive refurbishment that will improve the sense of arrival for thousands of residents and tourists visiting the town this bank holiday weekend.

In January, we temporarily closed the bridge for the revamp, which included refurbishment of the lift, cleaning and repainting the steel structure, preventative maintenance, anti-corrosion works, installation of new lighting and cleaning the Perspex canopy.

Thanks to the timely removal of scaffolding and prioritising swift completion of final works, we’ve been able to reopen the footbridge today, ready for use during the early May bank holiday weekend, rather than reopening next week as previously announced.

Improvements to the footbridge, alongside recent user-friendly upgrades to nine Windsor car parks, including the Coach Park itself, will help enhance the overall experience and welcome to Windsor town centre, as part of the wider “Vision for Windsor”, with the investment coming from Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership. 

Read more here

PCC election: Thanks to everyone who voted

Thank you to everyone who voted in the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election yesterday. The results for our region will be announced tomorrow.

PCCs are elected representatives who oversee how crime is tackled in a police force area and aim to ensure the policing needs of communities are met. They are elected for four years – this video covers their role.

West Berkshire Council has overall responsibility for running this election across the Thames Valley policing area, working with councils across the region. Five candidates stood this year.

In the Royal Borough, turnout was 17.14%, with 18,963 votes cast in total, either at one of the 62 polling stations, by post or proxy.

Where can I see the results?

The verification and count for the PCC election are on separate days this year as some councils also have local elections which were counted today.

Today, we completed the verification process for the PCC election, to ensure all ballot papers issued at polling stations and postal ballot papers have been brought to the count venues.

The count itself will be tomorrow across the Thames Valley. Results will be posted on our Facebook and X accounts, and on the PCC elections results page. 

Visiting London over the bank holiday weekend? Why not park in Vicus Way?

If you’re planning a city break to London over the bank holiday, did you know our Vicus Way car park in Maidenhead has a super-affordable parking offer for weekend leisure trips?

If you arrive after 4pm on Friday, you can park until 11am on Monday for just £10 – the smart choice whether you're heading to the capital or spending the weekend in our Royal Borough.

Catch the train at Maidenhead station (a convenient five-minute walk away), with regular services to Paddington and Windsor.

Vicus Way is a spacious, modern parking base outside ULEZ – vehicle entry 5am to 8pm, exit 24/7.

Read more here.

Opening times may change at pharmacies this bank holiday weekend

If you need a local pharmacy for minor illnesses this weekend, remember opening times will vary. See the pharmacy opening hours of those across Berkshire.

You can also find medical advice and support on NHS Frimley’s Health and Care website which might save having to find an open pharmacy. And having a well-stocked medicine cabinet could also save you that trip. 

Bin collections as normal this bank holiday weekend

We collect household waste and recycling on bank holiday dates (excluding Christmas and New Year)

If your bin is due to be collected this early May bank holiday (Monday 6 May), please put it at the kerbside by 7am on the day, as usual.

For more information about what can go in each bin, visit our waste webpage.

The ECO Action Hub's 10% Carbon Challenge - Q&A with Cllr Davies

The ECO Action Hub’s 10% Carbon Reduction Challenge aims to help individuals to understand their and their household’s carbon footprint and provide plans, approaches, and support to reduce your footprint year-on-year.

Councillor Karen Davies, Lead Member for Climate, Biodiversity has decided to take part in the challenge. We spoke to her to find out why.

Why did you decide to take part in the Eco Action Hub’s 10% Challenge?

"I've set myself quite a few individual challenges over the years to reduce my carbon footprint - things like not buying any new clothes for a year, and walking or car-sharing to council meetings - but I've never measured my carbon footprint as a whole, so when I heard about the challenge I was curious to know how my footprint measured up and what I could do next."

How does it work?

"With the help of the volunteers at the Eco Action Hub, you write down things like how much electricity and gas you use in your home, how many miles you drive, how much meat you eat, how much you spend on clothes, whether you take flights etc, and work out what your annual carbon footprint is right now. I found this really fascinating.

"You then commit to making changes to your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint by 10% year on year. How you do that will look different for everybody, and if there is something that you would find really hard to give up, like flying to visit family overseas, then you can focus on other things first."

What steps have you taken to reduce your carbon footprint?

"I've done things like keeping the heating thermostat at 18 degrees; cutting down on driving by walking and car-sharing; cooking mostly vegetarian meals; and joining the library! This summer I am going to sign up to the RBWM Solar Together group-purchasing scheme for solar panels to see about getting solar panels and a battery to cut electricity use further. I like the idea of building in resilience to power cuts at the same time."

How challenging has it been?

"Not turning the heating back on once it went off was a challenge in the winter, but I have built up quite a collection of knitted blankets from charity auctions for everyone in the house, including the dog! Otherwise I've found I quite enjoyed doing something different, and lots of the actions save money as well as saving carbon."

Has the challenge made you think about your day-to-day impact on the environment?

"The challenge really focuses the mind and makes you think about how everyday choices and habits can have a cumulative impact. If you're suffering from climate anxiety, taking action makes you feel more positive too."

How easy is it for residents to take part?

"I thoroughly recommend having a go at the challenge! Call into the Eco Action Hub and chat to one of the friendly volunteers. Although the reduction can be achieved by taking some larger steps, such as swapping to an electric vehicle, lots of small changes in everyday routines and habits also add up and make a difference. Things like taking the bus or car sharing one day a week, doing 'meatless Mondays' or just pledging to buy less 'stuff' all help to make a difference."

How to take the challenge yourself

Visit the ECO Action Hub in The Nicholsons Centre, Maidenhead and get ideas to make a difference now. Sign up to get more help and start your journey with the 10% challenge. It’s open Thursdays to Sundays, and opening hours are available here.

The ECO Action Hub is holding its first anniversary celebration on Saturday 11 May from 10am and all are welcome. For more information, visit the website, as well as resources to support your own ECO Action Journey, including an individual action plan ready for you to download.

Look out for our new campaign next week

Keep an eye out on our channels next week as we’re launching our latest campaign, ‘Ageing Well and Living Independently'.

The campaign aims to give you and your loved ones the best advice for keeping well and highlight support of how to live your best life, whilst ageing in the borough, highlighting services available and community opportunities.

The first week is focused on how you can look after your health whilst ageing and will feature a range of tips and advice.

Final reminder: Do our survey to help shape Berkshire’s blueprint for nature recovery

There are a few days left to participate in our county-wide survey to help shape important plans for protecting and improving natural habitats in Berkshire. Hundreds of people have already taken part.

Berkshire’s six councils, led by us at the Royal Borough, are keen to involve residents, landowners, NGOs, developers, community groups and others to create a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for the county.

It will prioritise where time and investment are most needed to improve, protect, or enlarge habitats, create wildlife corridors, or create new habitats on land or around watercourses. It will support joint working around nature recovery and focus the decisions, expertise and investment of many individuals and partner organisations, alongside helping to inform and support funding bids for specific projects.

To get involved, you can share your thoughts in our survey here until 7 May. Community workshops also took place across Berkshire during April. Discover more about the project here.

Royal Borough Community Spotlight

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

• Pottery exhibition at Maidenhead Heritage Centre. To coincide with the Cookham Festival, we have a display of pottery made at Odney in Cookham between the years 1942 and 1956. The pottery created pots that were purchased for the John Lewis Partnership and sold in their department stores. The collection on display at the Heritage Centre was bequeathed by Leslie Knight, one of the team of potters and is well worth a visit.

• Pub & Pastries Seniors Social (Monday 1 April, Monday 6 May and Monday 3 June, 11am to 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. More information email us or call 01784 335 804.

• Music and Arts Festival at Hurley (Friday 3 May to Sunday 5 May). The festival in Hurley includes a concert each evening at 7pm and an art show during the day on Saturday. Music at the concerts includes performances from Papa Truck (performing homegrown bluegrass) to Tamesis (a chamber choir) and some very talented young musicians. For more information and tickets visit. Entry to the art show is free and there will be refreshments available during this.

• 2024 Cookham Festival (Friday 3 May to Sunday 19 May). This year’s festival starts with the opening of the Sculpture Garden at The Odney and an evening with Theresa May and Lord Young at the Sir Bernard Miller Centre. The Cookham Festival is a non-profit organisation, run by volunteers to raise money for local art projects and we rely on your support! For more information visit.

• Maidenhead Sailing Club Open Day (Monday 6 May, 12pm to 4pm) - Lakeside, Summerleaze Road, SL6 8HZ. Try sailing for nothing with one of our experienced members, or simply relax beside our beautiful lake whilst enjoying a BBQ lunch and drink; a great afternoon out for the whole family. If you fancy having a go, please bring old clothes and shoes you don't mind getting wet, a change of clothing and a towel .. just in case! For more information visit.

• Royal Windsor Rose Show Floral Club flower arranging demonstration (Tuesday 7 May, 2.30pm) - Gardeners Hall, St Leonard’s Road Windsor. Try us for free on your first visit, all are welcome. For more information call 07786 703238.

• Come and sing with The Mozart Requiem - Windsor and Eton Choral Society (Tuesday 7 May, doors open 6pm) - Eton College Chapel. Most singers know The Mozart Requiem well and this is a chance to rehearse and perform this amazing work on a very special evening in wonderfully unique surroundings. For more information and tickets email, call 07940 811395 or online through TicketSource.

• ‘Carers in the community’ Afternoon Tea (Wednesday 8 May, arrival 1.30pm) - Ascot Racecourse. Meet our Equine Ambassador while enjoying a lovely afternoon tea. Please park in Car Park 3 opposite the Racecourse and enter via the main glass-fronted reception. RSVP with any dietary/mobility requirements by 12 April 2024. To book your space, please contact Steve at Age UK Berkshire on 07585 793069 or email.

• The History of Old Windsor Talk (Thursday 9 May, 7pm for 7.30pm) - WI Hall, The Green, Datchet. The event is free and everyone is welcome. After a very short business meeting, Blue Badge Guide, Tony Howe, will tell us more about the history of Old Windsor, once the third largest town in Berkshire and the site of a royal residence before the Norman invasion. There will be books for sale, drinks & nibbles For more information visit.

• Maidenhead Choral Society Spring Concert (Saturday 11 May, 7.30pm) – St Luke's Church, Maidenhead. A celebration of choral folk music. For more information visit.

• The Quince Players perform Electra (Thursday 9 May to Saturday 11 May and Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 May) - Cordes Hall, Sunninghill, SL5 9NE. The opening night (9 May) will be a special evening from us, a not-for-profit am-dram group, with cut-price tickets, to help raise funds for the charity, Dandelion Time. For more information and tickets visit.

• Quiz Night (Saturday 11 May, 7pm for 7.30pm. A prompt start is required) - Woodlands Park Village Centre, Manifold Way, SL6 3GW. Tables of six or ask about individual entries when you can join a table with others. Bring your own food, drinks, glasses. A raffle will be held with prizes. For more information and to book for place email or call 01628 623263. All proceeds go to St Marks Crescent Methodist Church Fund.

• A celebration of folk classics (Saturday 11 May, 7.30 to 9.30pm at St Luke’s Church, Norfolk Road, Maidenhead, SL6 7AX). Maidenhead Choral Society will be singing traditional folk favourites like Danny Boy, The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond and Shenandoah, as well as The Sprig of Thyme collection by John Rutter. Tickets available online and on the door.

• Leisure Focus Health Open Day (Monday 13 May at Windsor Leisure Centre and Tuesday 14 May at Braywick Leisure Centre, 10am to 2pm). Join us for an array of engaging activities and informative sessions like free BMI and blood pressure checks, yoga and seated exercise classes, inclusive wellbeing walks, expert advice featuring health coaches, NHS professionals & community organisers plus free gym passes. Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your health journey! For more information and to get your free ticket visit.

• Annual Spring Fair (Saturday 18 May, 10am to 12pm) - St Marks Crescent Methodist Church, Allenby Road, Maidenhead, SL6 5BQ. Stalls will include: delicious home baked cakes, stationery, good condition paperback books, CDs, DVDs, bric-a-brac, a raffle and tombola with many prizes. Don't miss out, this is a great morning for family, friends, neighbours. Coffee served throughout the morning. Free entry and all are welcome.50% of proceeds go to People to Places who provide door to door transport for local residents with mobility needs. If you would like to donate paperback books, cakes, good quality bric-a-brac, plants, toys, and raffle prizes, this would be much appreciated. These can be left at the Church or call Ed on 01628 623263. For further information email.

• Old Windsor Guiding May Fayre (Saturday 18 May, 1.30pm to 4pm) - Old Windsor Memorial Hall. Face painting, silent auction, tea, cakes, raffle, toys and games. Crowning of the carnival ambassadors and princess and sprite selection. For more information email.

• Dr Nori Graham Understanding Dementia event (Thursday 23 May, 2pm to 4pm) - Mountbatten Grange care home, Helston Lane, Windsor SL4 5GG. In this session, the Care UK dementia specialists Dr Nori Graham will give an overview of typical ageing and how symptoms differ from dementia. They will explore the signs of dementia, and the differences between the three most common types of the condition. After the event there will be a Q&A session. Free refreshments and parking. For more information email or call 01753 392690.

• 80th anniversary of D-day zoom talk "Memories of D-Day" (Tuesday 4 June) - It will be based on interviews carried out with Maidenhead people who took part in the invasion and the subsequent Battle of Normandy. For further details visit.

• Garden Safari in the Cookhams with WildCookham (Saturday 22 June and Sunday 23 June) - With the wider countryside struggling to host the diversity of wildlife it used to, gardens are becoming the most important home for more and more creatures and insects. But which ones? So, the 'Big' weekend will encourage families to hunt high and low for as many different types of animal, insect and mini-beast as possible, photographing what isn't recognised for subsequent identification, providing great fun for the children. To enhance habitat diversity, packets of wildflower seeds are available from Daisies Café in Cookham Parade, suitable for a square metre of mini-meadow. For more information email.

• Day Service and Meals on Wheels volunteers needed. Age Concern Windsor is looking for people who like to chat, can deliver meals, help with gardening or admin. If you have a few hours a week or every month, term time or just school holidays, we would love to hear from you. For more information call 01753 860685 Tuesday to Friday 9.30am to 3.30pm, email or click here.

• Swan Lifeline volunteer office administrator and fundraising manager needed. The volunteer office administrator is a crucial role in supporting the operational functions of a unique wildlife rescue and rehabilitation charity. It requires a detail-oriented person with excellent organisational and communication skills, as well as a passion for wildlife. For more information email. As fundraising manager, you will play a crucial role in securing funding to enable the charity to carry out its mission. You will gain valuable experience in the non-profit sector and contribute to the growth of a unique and valuable charity. If you’re interested in this role, please click here.

• Filling Good is looking for voluntary directors and shop floor volunteers! Want to be involved in managing one of the main eco initiative locally? Filling Good is Maidenhead’s community zero waste store. Not-for-profit and primarily run by volunteers, their purpose is to help people reduce their plastic consumption and waste by refilling their containers instead of throwing away lots of packaging! And more generally to help people live a more sustainable life. They are also the first and only carbon negative shop in Maidenhead (and beyond). They are currently looking for volunteers to work both in the shop and in the background, and especially helping with ordering, communications and marketing! If you are willing to give them a hand, please email.

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:

• Berkshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy priorities for nature survey - closes Tuesday 7 May.
• Proposals to introduce traffic calming at the Norfolk Park neighbourhood in Maidenhead - closes Sunday 12 May.
• Proposed change to the way school transport assistance is handed out for young people aged over 16 with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - closes Monday 13 May.

Partner consultation:



• Royal Berkshire Fire Authority is asking people to consider how its fire and rescue service responds to Automatic Fire Alarms - closes Monday 13 May.

Local Travel Updates

Rail - industrial action

The ASLEF union has announced strike action affecting the SWR network on Tuesday 7 May and the GWR network on Wednesday 8 May. In addition, there will be action short of strike across several train operating companies from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May. For updates, check the SWR and GWR websites.

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.

Keep in touch

Keep up to date with news and information from the council by signing up to Nextdoor and following us on X and Facebook.

Other accounts you may be interested in:

• Royal Borough official tourism web page.  
• Libraries on Facebook and X.
• Royal Borough Registrars on Facebook and Instagram.
• Communities Team on Facebook and X.
• Windsor & Royal Borough Museum web page.
• MyRoyalBorough on X, Facebook and Instagram.
• Make Maidenhead on Facebook and Instagram.