Coronavirus
After a month of lockdown, we have now emerged into Tier 2. From the Government’s coronavirus map, you can see high rates in nearby Slough, which is in Tier 3, and most of Maidenhead is coloured blue, with Furze Platt showing darker on the map.
We should point out that the actual numbers in Furze Platt are still relatively low, and starting to fall, but it’s really important that we continue to follow Government Tier 2 guidance to keep ourselves, our loved-ones and our communities as safe as we possibly can whilst we await the roll-out of the vaccine.
Flu Vaccinations
While we await delivery of the COVID19 vaccinations, the flu jabs are still proceeding apace, and they’ve just been opened up for the first time to the 50–64 age group. Getting a flu jab can help reduce the burden on the NHS as they deal with COVID19, and can also help you avoid getting the ‘double whammy’ of flu and COVID at the same time.
Having celebrated a milestone birthday earlier in the year, Catherine took advantage of a pop-up drive-through clinic on the site of the old bowling alley this week. Catherine says, “It was quick and easy, no queues. I was full of admiration for the nursing staff who were prepared to stand in the cold all day to give the injections!”
You need to be invited for a vaccination, so contact your surgery to book yourself onto a clinic if you haven’t already received an invitation.
Courthouse Road
We recently had a meeting with the council on the Courthouse / Linden / Oaken Grove crossroads.
All the feedback is that the raised zebra crossing is effective at improving road safety, but people are not convinced of the effectiveness of the build‑outs. The final build-outs would have a lower profile and footprint (possibly half the current footprint), therefore we felt it was worth going back to residents with more information on the final design and also to let them revisit the idea of speed humps.
Time is of the essence now, as we need to have funds committed by April. So the council is undertaking speed surveys and going to draw up some more detailed designs, incorporating the outcome of the speed surveys. Residents can then be consulted, with a view to collating final feedback by the end of January and picking a solution early February.
Bins
We know the bin collections still aren’t 100%. If you are still encountering problems, please get in touch and we’ll put as much pressure as we possibly can on Serco and the administration to get this sorted.
Litter
We have expressed concerns that the new litter enforcement officers are mainly focusing on cigarette butts and not dealing properly with wider issues such as dog fouling and fly-tipping. Please let us know if there are litter/fouling hotspots you’d like them to tackle.
Please also get in touch if you have any concerns about the way the service is being run.
Potholes
We are continually on the look-out for potholes in Furze Platt. Please do let us know if you spot one and get them reported.
Cycle Routes
The Council has recently been awarded money for ‘Active travel’ schemes across Windsor & Maidenhead. Please do get in touch if you feel there are any traffic or cycle improvements that can be made in your area which we can lobby the council for.
Light up Furze Platt this Christmas!
Furze Platt Schools Association, which supports Furze Platt Infant and Junior Schools, is running a Christmas Festive Trail to raise funds for the school and to bring some safe, socially distanced cheer into our hearts this December!
Trail maps can be purchased for £3 from the Oaken Grove Park café, Palmieri’s in Furze Platt Road, and Saints Café in St Marks Road.
St Luke’s Christmas Tree Trail
St Luke’s Church is also running a festive trail in place of its usual Christmas Tree Festival, if you fancy a longer walk!
There’s just time to get your entries in for #LightUpMyRBWM too!
Best regards,
Joshua and Catherine
joshua.reynolds@sky.com
catherinedelcampo.ld@gmail.com