Work begins on a new walking and cycling route in Maidenhead

Work has begun on the second part of a three-phase project, funded from developer contributions, to make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get between Maidenhead town centre and the north of the town.

Phase one of the project saw the installation of a new toucan crossing across the A4 St Cloud Way, last October. Phase two will provide a brand-new cycle route from the new crossing, along St Cloud Way and into Forlease Road, finishing at the junction with Bridge Street. It will then connect into Moorbridge Road and further cycle routes.

Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “St Cloud Way has been something of a barrier between residents in the north of Maidenhead and the town centre. By first installing the new toucan crossing, and now by expanding the existing footway and installing accompanying cycle lanes, we’re opening up access in a sustainable way, benefiting both local residents and businesses alike."

This current phase of the project will be carried out in three sections:

• Section one: Forlease Road, from the junction with Moorbridge Road to the junction with the A4 St Cloud Way. Traffic management will be in place from 9:30am to 4:00pm until Tuesday 10 September.
• Section two: St Cloud Way, from the junction with Forlease Road. Traffic management will be in place 24 hours a day, restricting traffic to one lane from Monday 9 September until Wednesday 9 October.
• Section three: A4 St Cloud Way. Construction of the cycleway, between the junction with Forlease Road and the pedestrian/cyclist crossing point that was installed in phase one. Traffic management will be in place 24 hours per day, restricting traffic to one lane from Monday 14 October until Monday 25 November.

You can read about this on our website

Your Travel Choices in the Royal Borough

This month we’ve launched our campaign ‘Your Travel Choices’, in which we’re highlighting all things travel related in the borough, including your public transport options, where to find the best parking deals, how we’re investing in key transport infrastructure and how to get the most from local travel opportunities.

And this week, on our social media channels, we’ve been highlighting local walking and cycling opportunities.

Walking and cycling are great ways to get some gentle exercise, and being out and about in our lovely borough can both lift your mood and improve your general health and wellbeing. Walking and cycling also helps us to reduce our reliance on vehicles for short journeys, which supports all of us in our efforts to address climate change.

Right across the UK, walking and cycling is increasingly popular with people from all walks of life and in this year alone more than a quarter of a million people have already walked or cycled into Windsor along our new ‘quiet way’ route from West Windsor. 

And each year we teach essential cycling skills to more than a thousand local pupils through our Bikeability scheme, and our early years and year 1 children can also access bikes on which to learn in our Bikes In Schools project.

Elsewhere, Windsor Cycle Hub offers free #BikeKitchen safety checks, repairs and bike registration to deter thieves, as well as guided rides. Maidenhead Cycle Hub also offers a range of services, including classes for adults on maintaining and servicing their bikes.

And here’s a few of the things we’ve been doing this year to encourage and facilitate walking and cycling in the borough:

• We’ve started work on a new walking and cycling route, funded by developer contributions, to make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get between Maidenhead town centre and the north of the town.
• We’ve revitalised King Street in Maidenhead, creating more engaging spaces for pedestrians and cyclists, in a project funded by the Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
• We’ve opened a new secure cycle parking facility, funded by Active Travel England via central government, next to Windsor Leisure Centre.

You can discover more about walking and cycling opportunities in the borough on our website and in our Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

Battle of Britain Day - the Royal Borough remembers

This year’s annual Battle of Britain Civil Service will be held on Sunday 15 September, at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist, Windsor, SL4 1LS.

September 15 in 1940 saw particularly heavy fighting in the skies over Britain between the RAF and the Luftwaffe, and proved to be a decisive defeat for the German air force. Since then, this date has been commemorated as ‘Battle of Britain Day’ in the UK.

The annual commemoration at Parish Church is a joint service for the Royal Borough to remember all those who took part in the defence of our country during the battle, and involves a civic party, which includes the Mayor, the Royal Air Forces Association and local units of the Air Training Corps.

The public are welcome and if you’re planning to attend please be in the vicinity of the war memorial on Windsor High Street by 10.50am. There will be a procession and a short wreath-laying ceremony at 11am after which you’re welcome to join the service in Parish Church. 

Best of luck tomorrow in Paris!

We’ll be cheering on local resident Louise Sugden tomorrow, as she represents Great Britain in the Women’s 79KG Power Lifting finals in the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.

Louise, who is from Newbury and now lives in the Royal Borough, was a former member of the women’s wheelchair basketball squad before switching to powerlifting in 2017.

Only nine months after her first competition she went to Australia for the Commonwealth Games and won a silver medal for England. Three years later, she returned to Paralympic action in Tokyo, where a lift of 131kg in the last round was enough for a maiden Paralympic medal in the shape of a bronze in the 86kg category.

Best of luck to you Louise, and to all our Paralympians, we’re all so proud of you! 

Helping children experiencing difficulties with attending school

We're working with local schools and NHS Frimley Health Foundation Trust to support children and young people who have difficulties attending school, due to emotional, psychological or relationship issues. 

Known as emotionally-related school avoidance (ERSA), this can range from those who are attending school but have anxiety, through to those missing their education for an extended period. These young people often do want to attend school, however their anxiety and lack of coping skills leaves them unable to do so. 

What are the signs of ESRA and how parents help? 

It might be an early sign of ESRA if: 

• your child seems anxious or upset about attending school 
• is frequently expressing a serious desire not to attend school 
• showing physical symptoms of anxiety (such as a headache or stomach-ache) 
• has been absent for several days over a short period 

It's important to identify the signs early, and contact the school to start support as soon as possible to stop things getting worse. Please see our Parent Quick Guide and ERSA webinar for parents for more information.  

Applications secondary school admission



The application process opens on 9 September 2024 for children moving up to secondary, middle or upper school in September 2025.

You can register to apply on the portal now. The closing date for applications is 31 October 2024.  

Are you over State Pension Age? Check your eligibility for Pension Credit

If you’re over the State Pension age you could be entitled to Pension Credit – extra money to help with living costs. You can claim Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

If you have a friend or a family member who is above State Pension age, let them know about Pension Credit and other help, like the Winter Fuel Payment, that’s available and encourage them to check their eligibility, even if they’ve other income or have been denied it before. This can help to make a significant difference to the lives of your loved ones.

If you need help getting online, you can seek assistance at a local library, and can get in touch with our Financial Inclusion officers if you need help making a claim.

Further details can be found on the Gov.UK website, where you can also check your eligibility and they’ve produced a handy video to help explain Pension Credit.

Update: Brill Close Flood Alleviation Scheme

Plans to mitigate surface water flood risk in the Oldfield and Cox Green Wards are moving forwards, with ground investigation works set to begin next week.

The Brill Close Flood Alleviation Scheme was proposed following floods in the two wards in 2007 and 2016, due to local pipework’s limited ability to drain away rain water during storm events. The scheme aims to remove some water and store it temporarily in two surface water attenuation basins, at Desborough Park in Maidenhead, reducing the risk of flooding to local properties.

From Monday 9 September RBWM’s design contractors will be carrying out three to five days of ground investigation works on site, and following this the design work will begin.

When the preliminary designs are completed, the Council will engage with all interested parties in the first quarter of 2025, and the feedback received will inform the final detailed design work.

You can find out more about this project on our website and if you have any questions, please email our Flooding team.

Calling all jobseekers - attend our next jobs fair!

A jobs fair will take place at Maidenhead Library on Tuesday 24 September from 10.30am to 1pm.

Jobseekers will have the opportunity to meet local employers and find out about their current vacancies. There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day.



Employers who wish to attend the event should email DWP-library@rbwm.gov.uk or berks.employerteam@dwp.gov.uk

For more information, please visit our Employment Support webpage.

Windsor Town Forum

The next Windsor Forum will be held on Wednesday 18 September at York House, Sheet Street, Windsor from 6.30pm.

Residents are welcome to attend (either in-person or virtually), take part in the discussion, ask questions and suggest items for future agendas. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Council’s YouTube channel.

Parking for blue badge holders in Maidenhead

If you display your blue badge, you can park for free in any bay at all council car parks, including all Maidenhead town centre car parks, providing you don’t park in a reserved bay, meaning there’s a range of options for different destinations.

There are also bays reserved for blue badge holders in Grove Road, West Street and Hines Meadow car parks for shopping trips. 

You can also park on-street in several locations, including dedicated on-street bays for blue badge holders in Maidenhead – check out the locations on our useful interactive map. (Click on 'Layers' and then select 'Parking Restrictions - Blue Badge'. Other on-street bays are under the general 'Parking Restrictions' tab.)

The Shopmobility Maidenhead scooter hire scheme, run by charity People to Places, is based at 69/71 Queens Walk Mall within the Nicholsons Centre. The Brock Street entrance to the centre can be used as a drop-off point for those unable to walk from the town’s car parks. The nearest parking bay for blue badge holders is on Queen Street.

Outside the railway station, there are a limited number of bays for blue badge holders, plus drop-off and pick-up points on the station forecourt.

If your destination is to the southern edge of the town centre, there are dedicated bays at Vicus Way and Stafferton Way, plus dedicated bays for blue badge holders with electric vehicle fast chargers in Vicus Way.

Final reminder: Could solar panels be an option for your home?

A green energy scheme to help you and local businesses generate renewable energy through solar panels, cutting energy costs and carbon footprint, is open in the Royal Borough.

We've joined forces with neighbouring councils to group bid for cheaper installation of solar panels through Solar Together. Residents and businesses, with permission from the property owner to install the panels, can register until 13 September.

The scheme offers solar panels with optional battery storage and EV charge points, as well as retrofit battery storage for residents who've already invested in solar panels and are looking to get more from the renewable energy they generate. 

The applications are grouped together, and reputable installation companies then bid to carry out the work through a reverse auction overseen by a company called iChoosr. For more information please visit our website

Weekend M4 link road closure later this month

Please be aware that later this month National Highways will be closing the link road that connects the M4 eastbound to the M25, over a 56-hour weekend period, to carry out repairs to a road bridge.

The link road connecting the M4 eastbound to the M25 southbound (anticlockwise towards the M3, M23 and M20) will close from 11pm on Friday 13 September and will remain closed until 5:30am on Monday 16 September.

And for safety reasons the eastbound entry slip road at the M4, junction 5 Langley Interchange, will also be closed during this period.

The link road which connects the M4 eastbound to the M25 northbound (clockwise towards the M40, M1 and M11), will remain open during this period.

Diversions will be in place during this time and National Highways are advising drivers to plan ahead and allow more time for travel. For information and the latest updates on the project please visit the National Highways website.     

Royal Borough Community Spotlight

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

• Cox Green horticultural and craft show (Saturday 7 September, 2.30pm) Cox Green Community Centre, 51 Highfield Lane, Maidenhead. There’ll be a range of classes for all ages, from fruit and vegetables to handicrafts, art and photography. For budding writers there’s an Olympic Games themed limerick competition class and plenty of stalls and attractions, our very popular wine raffle and a market stall selling delicious homegrown produce and cakes. Teas and cakes will be served with a smile by the lovely Townswomen's Guild ladies. It's a fun and friendly show and it's open to everyone, not just Cox Green residents. For more information visit or email

• Concert given by Bucks Symphonic Wind Ensemble (BSWE) (Saturday 7 September, 7.30pm to 9.30pm) All Saints Church, Boyne Hill, Maidenhead SL6 4HE. BSWE is an award winning, 48-piece wind band. Enjoy an entertaining evening of great music conducted by Duncan Stubbs OBE former Principal Director of Music for the RAF Music Services. In support of charities associated with All Saints Church. Tickets can be ordered in advance by email or purchased on the door.

• Annual Old Windsor Handicraft, Produce & Horticulture Show (Saturday 7 September, doors open from 2pm). Join us for a free local show of art, craft, flower arranging, produce, jam making, baking and photography. There’ll be a grand raffle, local produce and cake for sale, with prizes presented at 4:30pm by the Mayor. Please note the closing date for entries is Wednesday 4 September. Entries are welcome from all age groups. For more information visit our Facebook page

• The Big Blue Bike Ride (Sunday 8 September). Prostate Cancer UK are hosting their cycling event for the second year running in Windsor. The event will start and finish at Windsor Racecourse, those taking part will choose from a 40 or 65 mile signposted route and will raise money for vital prostate cancer research into better tests and treatments to diagnose men sooner and save lives. For more information visit

• Bray Fete is back for 2024! (Sunday, 8 September, 11am to 4pm). Join us for a day of fun, food and live music on the village green. There will be the Bray village hall beer tent, sample food from our famous local restaurants, hog roast, gourmet burgers, traditional games and competitions, children's rides, a fun dog show, cake stall, charity stalls, and local produce for sale. We’re raising money in aid of 6 local charities and community groups. Entry is free. Parking is available on site (charges apply). Come and relax and enjoy the entertainment. Bray and Holyport Senior Citizen's Club have a Tombola stall at the Fete so come and meet us. For more information visit

• Church in the Park (Sunday 8 September, 11am to 3pm) - Grenfell Park. Hosted by The Salvation Army. The Salvation army band and choirs will be making music all day. There will be activities for families and a cake stall Entry is free and open to all ages.

• Come and join the Claremont Singers Windsor (Monday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm during school term times) We’re a small, friendly, mixed ability ladies’ community choir and meet at Holy Trinity Garrison Church, Claremont Road and Trinity Place, Windsor SL4 3AX. Our next term will start on Monday 9 September when we will be preparing for a concert at Old Windsor Parish Church on Sunday 15 September. We’ll start rehearsing our new Christmas repertoire on Monday 16 September. We sing a wide variety of music from classical to folk in two or three parts. We are a non-audition choir and reading music is not essential. If you would like to join us, please email or contact Jane on 01753 869557. Your first session is free.

• Maidenhead u3a monthly meeting (Tuesday 10 September, 2.30pm) Desborough Bowling Club, 10 Green Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 1XZ. The Speaker will be Steve Sansom, Age UK - A Dementia Friendly Royal Borough. Many of us will have a concern about dementia. We might be worried about whether it will strike us personally, or we may know a friend or relative who has been afflicted. Steve will show how Age UK is supporting the local dementia community. Free to members of Maidenhead u3a or potential members. For more information visit

• Alzheimer’s Society Singing for the Brain (second Tuesday of every month, 10.30am to 12.00pm) Mountbatten Grange, Helston Lane, Windsor SL4 5GG. Mmeet other members of the community living with dementia and sing a variety of songs you know and love in a fun and friendly environment. Take part in vocal exercises that help improve brain activity and wellbeing. Free refreshments from 10.30am to 11am, singing starts at 11am, free parking. To book your space call 01753392690 or email

• The Arts Society Englemere September Lecture (Tuesday 10 September, 7.30pm) St George’s School, Wells Lane, Ascot, SL5 7DZ. Dr Helen Rufus-Ward is an art historian with a doctorate from the University of Sussex. She has published on Late Antique and Byzantine ivory carvings, plaster casting of art works and 19th century collecting. Helen will talk about Victorian encounters with India beginning with these portraits decorating the corridors of Queen Victoria’s favourite palace, Osborne House, Isle of Wight. She’ll also talk about the exquisitely carved Durbar Hall, created and shipped over from India to serve as a backdrop for the Colonial and Indian Exhibition. For more info and to register interest visit or email

• Maidenhead National Trust Association (Thursday 12 September, 7.15pm) - Desborough Bowling Club, 10 Green Lane, Maidenhead, SL6 1XZ. A representative of Silvertime Legal will talk to us about planning for the future. Planning for the future doesn’t have to be daunting, our expert speaker will break down everything you need to know about Inheritance Tax planning, long-term care, and why a solid estate plan is your best friend. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to level up your knowledge, this seminar is here to make sure you’re ready for whatever the future holds. For more information email

• ‘Our Maidenhead’ handcrafted nature trail at Ray Mill Island (launch event on Friday 13 September, 2pm to 6pm). The 'Our Maidenhead' team of crafters who meet every Thursday afternoon to get crafty are joining up with Friends of Ray Mill Island to create a handcrafted nature trail on the island. These crafters will be making, knitting, crocheting, felting a range of birds, bees, bats, butterflies and other local fauna - and we’re looking for any like-minded residents and local crafty groups to join us to help create maximum impact to celebrate this lovely local landmark. For more information email

• Blue Plaque unveiling ceremony (Friday 13 September, 6pm) outside the George Inn, Eton High Street, SL4 6AF. The legendary Olympian rower Sir Matthew Pinsent will be unveiling a blue plaque, celebrating the life of George Yeomans Pocock who built the boats used by the US men's eight team who won gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games. The true story of the US Eight is told in the best-selling book by Daniel James Brown 'The Boys in The Boat' and in the film of the same name, to be released this year, directed by George Clooney. All are welcome at this free event.

• St Luke's Church Heritage Weekend (Friday 13 and Saturday 14 September, 10am to 4pm) St Luke's Church, Maidenhead. Visit our Victorian Gothic Church (wheelchair accessible) with many features of interest including the painting of Jacob's Ladder made in 1885 and a magnificent collection of stained-glass windows. Guided tours will be available from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 4pm. The Friday is also Valuation Day, when local company Dawsons Auctioneers will be in church to talk about and value (without an audience) your personal treasures and curiosities. For more information visit or email

• An opportunity to visit a remarkable listed building in Maidenhead. (Saturday 14 September, 10am to 4.30pm) All Saints' Church, London Road, Ascot, SL5 8DQ. Visit this remarkable Grade II listed Victorian building as we commemorate our 160th year. There are murals in the sanctuary, painted chancel roof and arch and wall paintings in the north and south aisles. These outstanding paintings are a well-known feature of the church and were restored in the late 20th century. Refreshments will be available and there will be church tours. For more information email

• Pedal To the Park (Sunday 15 September, from 10.30am) Stag Meadow, by the Football Club. A special event to show you and your family how to cycle to the Great Park from Windsor. We’ll have a team to welcome you at Stag Meadow. Let’s be honest, there’s a hill – so gears or a tow bar are a must. We’ll have a Treasure Hunt to keep kids motivated. Best to bring rain jackets just in case! We’ll have 2 marked cycle routes, an easy one around the village and a longer hillier version that takes in the Royal School and The Queen’s Jubilee Statue. For more information and to book your place visit

• Healthy eating and managing diabetes (Wednesday 18 September, 10am to 12pm & 6pm to 8pm) Mountbatten Grange, Helston Lane, Windsor SL4 5GG. In our interactive workshop learn how to eat healthily with diabetes with interesting insights, practical tips, and simple food swaps. A chance to ask questions, sample healthier twists on classic recipes, and share experiences in a relaxed group setting. Free refreshments and parking. To book your space call 01753392690 or email

• Desborough Bowling Club Family Open Day (Saturday 28 September, 11am to 3pm) Green Lane, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1XZ. Why not try your hand at indoor bowls combined with other fun activities at one of the premier bowling centres in the country. All age groups welcome. All equipment will be provided by the club on the day. There will be club members on hand to get you started and to explain the fundamentals of the game. For more information or to register your interest visit, email or call 01628 629403.

• Maidenhead Charity Boundary Walk (Sunday 6 October). Join us for the annual Maidenhead Boundary Walk and experience history, enjoy nature, and support amazing causes through sponsorship. Walkers of all ages and abilities are welcome. This year, the Maidenhead Boundary Walk is proud to support Alzheimer’s Dementia Support. Take on the full 13-mile circular walk starting and ending at Boulters Lock Car Park, or take on the shorter Family Walk (5k) - a nice stroll from Boulters Lock car park, round Boulters Island, crossing the river to the Taplow side before heading back in what we hope will be a picturesque walk taking in the views and wildlife. For more information and to register visit

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

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   

• Road Closure: Holmanleaze, Maidenhead from Ivy Leaf Club Car Park southward to dead end, between 8am to 5pm on Monday 23 September, to facilitate a news gas connection.     

Keep in touch

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Other accounts you may be interested in:



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