My husband and I live in Sunninghill and we have just come back from our daily walk, which today took us around Sunningdale village and back. We were astounded at the amount of traffic on the roads; compared to recent days there was probably 4 or 5 times the amount we have been seeing. It was mainly cars rather than vans and not far off a normal day before the restrictions.
I do hope people aren’t becoming complacent as we really do need to observe the current measures in place to prevent this awful virus spreading.
Best wishes
Vanessa
I do hope so too – particularly as we go into the Easter Bank Holiday and the weather is supposed to be good. I have to say, over the last week, I have seen an increase in the number of cars being driven around. If we are beginning to win the war against this virus - now is not the time, to start relaxing or being complacent. The war is not over !
I have had a brilliant response from you all – keep up the good work – and – keep well. Keep letting me know of services you are supplying, or just to say thank you, to someone who has helped you, to ensure they know, they are valued.
RE: Reporting disregard for Social Distancing
STAY AT HOME AND SAVE LIVES
NEXT – Kids congregating from Chris
Hi
At the Woodlands Ride, Ascot entrance to Swinley Forest, part of the fencing has been removed with the result that cyclists are using the forest.
I have not personally been inconvenienced, as there aren’t many of them and they haven’t been anti-social but:
a) this is of course in contravention of the Government regulations and
b) I have seen groups of cyclists including and there are groups of 10 youngsters - so clearly the “not meeting up with friends” aspect of social distancing, is not happening and
c) the sign saying 'No Cyclists', is difficult to read and dirty, but would of course be ignored anyway!
I appreciate however, if the fencing is put back, then everyone has to use the metal swing gate, which will create quite a bottle neck and involve lots of people handling the gate - (it is designed to not let cyclists through) which is clearly not a good idea.
On balance, I would prefer to allow the cyclists and not have to handle the gate, or wait in a queue, to get through the swing gate!
I’m not sure what the best answer is, but that’s the reason and I assumed Windsor Great Park did it deliberately ?
Best wishes
Regards,
Chris
Chris has since emailed to say the no cycling sign is no longer displayed.
Whenever I go out for exercise now, I take gloves, in case I have to open gates / doors.
NEXT from John & Jane
Hi
Whilst doing our daily walk today across North Town Moor, we found a substantial amount of money
With Maidenhead Police Station closed at the moment, it is impossible to hand it in, which is what we would have done in normal circumstances ?
Perhaps, if anyone contacts you having lost this money, then get in touch and we can work out a suitable method of returning it to them.
Kind regards,
John and Jan
I can possibly get a PCSO to visit and collect the money, but if anyone knows who has lost it – or can put it on a local Facebook / Instagram page, if they contact me, I will put them in contact with John & Jan.
NEXT: From Cllr Jon Davy
He has been made aware of people posting pictures on line, of people breaking the social distancing requirements. The correct procedure, if you see for example, people having picnics / BBQs in public areas during the restrictions, phone it through on the 101 number immediately. We will send someone out to give ‘Words of advice’ !!
NEXT: From John Diack the Chair of the Maidenhead NHW Association.
Hi
Some of the residents in our road, are planning a sit out on the pavements outside their homes at 12.30 on Saturday. They plan to have a snifter, keep their distances and talk loudly to each other.
It is one brilliant way of keeping in contact !
BONFIRES
Lots of emails in from people complaining about bonfires and from others, saying they have no choice but to burn garden refuse, as the recycling centres are now closed. I have asked the Borough for a definitive answer about whether or not you can light a bonfire at this time, when people are trapped in their homes and would not be able to go into their gardens or open windows.
I have received this advice from Wayne Eveleigh, Senior RBWM Community Warden
HI Jeff,
Please see the below response from Environmental Protection, which will be added to our website.
Wayne Eveleigh
Senior Community Warden
Communities, Enforcement and Partnership Service
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead,
Town Hall St Ives Road, MAIDENHEAD, SL6 1RF
01628 683800
www.rbwm.gov.uk 'Environmental Protection is currently helping with the Royal Borough’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic. To avoid spreading the virus, Government advice, is not to visit residents. As a result, we are currently not delivering our usual service. Our responses to complaints, are being prioritised on public health need, with risk to life, being our priority.
During the Government’s stay at home requirements, we have received an increase in complaints about noise from neighbours. We ask for the help of our residents during this difficult time. We ask you to be considerate about the noise you make and be understanding, about noise you may hear.
We note that many residents, are taking this opportunity to clear their gardens and some, are having bonfires. Bonfires are not illegal, however, we advise against them, due to air pollution they cause. Smoke from bonfires can cause those with lung problems, such as Covid-19, extra breathing difficulties. We therefore, ask you not to light bonfires.
If you are disturbed by your neighbours, please speak to them in the first instance. If you need to report an issue at this time, please email
Environmental.Protection@RBWM.gov.uk Kind regards
I have set out the Borough’s regular
bonfire guidance and contact details below.
COMMENTS:
From Marilyn:
Hi
Just to let you know, I have received a scam text message worded:
HSBC:New payee was added to your account from mobile banking. if this was NOT done by you, CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
I called my bank and it's a scam that’s going around today.
Marilyn
Thanks Marilyn. Please be aware the scam text - you have been pouot more timers than permitted and therefore incurred a fine = CLICK here to pay - is also a scam !!!
DON’T DO IT - DON’T LET IT BE YOU !
STAY AT HOME AND SAVE LIVES
Report a problem with smoke
Smoke gets in your eyes, it covers clean washing in smuts, contaminates food and can cause breathing problems. You, or someone else can pay a high price for causing such a nuisance. Part 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 requires the council to take reasonable steps to investigate and, if appropriate, to take formal action in the event of justified complaints of statutory nuisance.
Typical complaints of smoke include:
Smoke and ash from garden bonfires.
Smoking chimneys.
Dust from buildings and demolition activity.
Cooking smells from restaurants.
The legislation does not allow us to deal with complaints of smells arising from domestic premises.
To report a problem with smoke, you will need to tell us:
Address the smoke is being emitted from
Type of property the smoke is coming from
REPORT A PROBLEM WITH SMOKEIf satisfied that a complaint of statutory nuisance is justified, an abatement/penalty notice will be served upon the person responsible, occupier or owner of the premises (as appropriate) requiring that the nuisance be abated. Failure to comply with an abatement/penalty notice is an offence and legal proceedings may result. If found guilty of an offence of this type then the maximum fine is £5,000 on domestic premises and £20,000 on commercial premises.
Smoke Control Areas apply to parts of Windsor. The effect is to require householders to burn only approved smokeless fuels - e.g. gas, coke or branded solid smokeless fuels including Coalite and Homefire - see the Solid Fuel Association website - solidfuel.co.uk. This site also gives advice on fireplaces, appliances and fuels. The council encourages everyone to use an efficient modern appliance and burn only smokeless fuel.
For more information or to make a complaint please call the Customer Service Centre on 01628 683830.
To report a problem with smoke, you will need to tell us:
Address the smoke is being emitted from
The type of building
BonfiresThere are no statutory hours on when to have a bonfire, however please consider the following guidelines:-
If you light a bonfire, ensure that the material to be burnt is dry. This will minimise the amount of smoke produced. Do not light a fire when the weather conditions might cause the smoke to travel into your neighbours' gardens or properties.
Burn everything quickly in small piles. A quick hot fire will produce only the minimum amount of smoke.
Position any bonfire as far away from buildings as possible. Don't light a fire if the wind will carry the smoke over the road
Remember that smoke will hang in the air on a damp, windless day and in the evening around sunset.
Take care to keep children away from a bonfire. Supervise burning as much as possible.
Never leave a fire to smoulder, put it out with either water or soil.
Remember, heaps of garden refuse provide a haven for small animals. Check before you light.
Never add household rubbish, oil rags, rubber, plastics, aerosols or any other material which will create toxic fumes.
Compost wherever possible.
Bonfire ComplaintsIf you are being disturbed by smoke, the best initial course of action is to approach your neighbour and explain the problem. This may be difficult but your neighbour may simply be unaware of the effects the bonfire is having.
If this fails, contact the Environmental Protection Customer Contact Centre on 01628 683830.
An officer will investigate your complaint and will try to deal with the problem by visiting or sending a letter to notify your neighbour of the disturbance being caused. We will also ask you to keep a diary which will record dates and times of your neighbour's fires and how they are affecting you. This is crucial information as it will allow us to establish if the circumstances are sufficiently serious to possibly be a statutory nuisance.
The officer will issue an abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, if they consider a statutory nuisance is being caused.
To be considered a statutory nuisance, bonfires usually need to be a regular occurrence and causing serious interference with your well-being. If the bonfire is a one off or you are troubled by bonfires from different neighbours, each only burning occasionally, enforcement action would be difficult to pursue.
The abatement notice may mean your neighbour must stop having bonfires completely and if this is not complied with then they could face a fine.
The Environmental Protection Act 1990 also allows you to take your own private action in the magistrates' court. The Environmental Health department has further information on how to undertake such action if you choose to pursue this.
If smoke from a fire is allowed to drift across a road surface endangering traffic, you should contact the police. This is covered under the Highways Act 1980.
Message Sent By
Jeffrey Pick (Police, Community Engagement & Resilience Officer, Windsor & Maidenhead LPA)
