09 January 2023 |
IMPACT OF RECENT WEATHER ON BUCKINGHAMSHIRE’S ROADSStatement from Councillor Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport |
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“The prolonged period of very cold conditions experienced before Christmas was the coldest in the region since 2010. Continuous freezing conditions like these can cause serious problems with road surfaces, both in the surface layers, where freeze-thaw action causes potholes and cracks to widen but affects the integrity of the underlying structure of the road if the frost penetrates deep enough. This can cause sudden, fairly catastrophic failure in roads. This has then been followed by an extremely wet period, which also causes more rapid deterioration. This is exacerbated where road surfaces are already damaged, and especially through extensive use by HGVs, such as we are seeing in many parts of Buckinghamshire, most notably associated with construction works for HS2 and East West Rail. As such, we are experiencing increased numbers of potholes and other related defects on the network and can expect this upward trend to continue over the next few weeks at least. Where a defect is unsafe, repairs will be made as quickly as possible. Ideally this will be undertaken as a long-lasting repair, but at times, such as during very wet or cold weather, or when it is an emergency “out of hours” repair, this may be possible and a temporary “make-safe” repair will be undertaken. In extreme cases the issue may require the temporary closure of the road. None of these temporary options are ideal, as this type of repair may not last very long in poor weather, particularly where the road is subject to large numbers of HGV movements. The best time to fix roads defects properly is when the weather is warm and dry – which, of course, is the opposite of when the majority of the problems occur! Transport for Buckinghamshire is working hard to assess and rectify defects as soon as possible. The council continues to invest heavily in our highway network and the ongoing programme of local schemes and strategic road repairs/improvements continues. Prudent financial planning has meant that severe weather reserves exist to help fund the required priority repairs to deal with the issues we are currently seeing. Where the damage can be attributed either in whole, or in part, to schemes such as HS2 or East West Rail, the council will negotiate appropriate third-party payments to ensure Buckinghamshire residents’ are not footing the bill. Regular inspections and repairs to our highways continue in line with our highways inspection policy, so that the travelling public can travel safely. With over 2,100 miles of carriageway across our county, the Transport for Buckinghamshire team welcome reports of potholes and other issues on our highways from residents. We urge residents not to repair potholes themselves – the best way to report a problem on the highway, so the council can repair the roads, is via Fix My Street: Buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street This allows a problem to be reported by postcode or a click on a map and is directed to the most appropriate team to deal with in an expedited fashion. Fix My Street also allows you to see if the problem has already been reported to save duplication and you will receive automatic updates on progress of the follow up inspection or repair.” |
Author Archives: Clerk
BEWARE OF SCAMMERS! Latest Scams, prevention and how to take action (Action-Fraud & Which?)
What is fraud? Fraud is when somebody lies, or deceives you, in order to cause harm, usually by stealing your money.
What should I do if I’m a victim of fraud or cyber crime?
You can report fraud and cyber crime using the online reporting tool: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
What is cyber crime?
This is when fraudsters target computers, tablets or phones or use the internet to swindle you. Our increased use of electronic devices for everyday
activities means that cyber criminals have a wealth of opportunity to commit crime.
What is Action Fraud?
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime. Members of the public, businesses and charities can report to Action Fraud
online http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or on the phone.
Victims’ reports are assessed by specialists to see if they are suitable for further action and are then sent to the relevant law enforcement agency to investigate.
If you do not have internet access, or if you require more support, you can also contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to speak to an advisor.
Why do people in the UK report fraud and cyber crime to Action
Fraud instead of the police?
Action Fraud takes reports from victims nationwide providing a clear picture of the scale of fraud and cyber crime, allowing law enforcement to link crimes
which happen across the country. This kind of intelligence is the key to disrupting cyber crime.
Beware of the scam text below offering you fake government energy bill support
The latest energy scam capitalises on the fact that the government’s £400 energy grant is now being rolled out.
If you get one of these texts, don’t click on the link. Your grant will be applied to your energy account automatically.
Notorious ‘Hi Mum and Dad’ scam spreads from WhatsApp to text message
Scammers impersonating your family members, particularly adult children, in order to ask you for money are now targeting you through text messages.
Earlier this year, Action Fraud warned that it had received 1,235 reports of criminals posing as loved ones in need on WhatsApp between 3 February and 21 June this year, amounting to a total financial loss of £1.5m.
How the impersonation scam works
The message will typically start with saying the sender has lost their phone, it’s damaged or they can’t access it.
The fraudsters will mostly go on to ask you for money by pointing out an imaginary difficult financial situation they’re in and playing on the close relationship you have to the person they’re impersonating.
The bank details they give will probably not match those of your loved one and it’s likely the scammer will tell you it’s because they can’t access their bank account.
If you receive a message like this don’t be tempted to transfer money immediately, enquire further by asking who specifically it is by name and by calling them or asking for a voice note.
WhatsApp has warned that its users should ensure that two-factor authentication is set up on their account and never to share their six-digit pin code with others.
Reporting scam text messages
If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding it to 7726 before blocking the number.
If you’re concerned you’ve given money to a possible scam, contact your bank straight away and report the scam to Action Fraud.
You can report scam messages on WhatsApp by opening up the WhatsApp chat with the unknown number and selecting Block and Report.
ID theft: How bank account fraudsters may steal your identity
How do criminals steal your identity?
Impostor applications often take place in order to deposit the proceeds of scams, or as a ‘link within a mule network’.
They can also be lucrative for ‘acquisitive reasons’ such as raiding an account’s overdraft facility or associated credit card offers. Overdrafts can also be transferred to another account for easier access to cash.
Criminals have many ways of obtaining the details needed to apply for a current account in your name. Methods include stealing mail, through to hacking, obtaining data on the dark web, as well as persuading people to give up personal information by pretending to be from a bank, the police or a trusted retailer’.
Never give out your personal information over the telephone. If in any doubt, hang up and contact your bank or whatever company the Scammer is pretending to be from, directly.
Ordinary Meeting of Radnage Parish Council will be held on 28th September 8pm at Radnage Village Hall
Following the postponement of our last meeting, the next meeting of The Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 28th September at 8pm at the Village Hall,
Ordinary Meeting of Radnage Parish Council due to be held on 14th September has been postponed
Out of respect for the period of national mourning that now follows the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, we have decided to postpone this meeting.
Apologies for any inconvenience and we will look to re-arrange a new date as soon as possible.
A message from Martin Tett following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
9th September 2022
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It is with the deepest sadness that I write to you today, following the sorrowful news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully at Balmoral yesterday afternoon. The news, when it came, was swift and felt sudden as events progressed yesterday. I know there is currently a wave of great sadness unfolding amongst us here in Buckinghamshire. There will be very few amongst us who have ever known another monarch and this is truly a momentous event in our history. Our Queen was a symbol of steadfastness and stability for all her subjects through seven amazing decades and she will be dearly missed. I also know we are anticipating the first address from King Charles III due at 18:00 today, and that our hearts go out to the Royal Family for their loss. I wanted to write today to let you know we are expressing our deepest condolences to the Royal Family on behalf of the people of Buckinghamshire, and to outline what is happening in the coming days here in Buckinghamshire in line with the protocols set out for what happens during the days following The Queen’s death. Books of condolence and memorial sites Books of condolence have been opened from 1pm today (Friday 9 September) at the following locations:
The books of condolence will be open between 9am – 5pm every day (including the weekends) up to the day following The Queen’s funeral, the date of which is expected to be confirmed later today. There is also a link to an online book of condolence on the official website of the Royal Family; you can find this link on the Buckinghamshire Council website. We are making arrangements so that residents who live in care homes can also contribute to the books of condolence. The council has also set up three temporary memorial sites – fenced off areas in town centre locations where residents can lay flowers and other tributes; these are at:
Proclamation reading event At 1pm on Sunday 11 September, on the steps of Exhibition Suite, Market Square, (Aylesbury HP20 1TX), the High Sheriff, Debbie Brock, will read the Proclamation of our new Sovereign, His Majesty, The King, Charles III. The Lord Lieutenant, The Countess Howe will open the event and invite the High Sheriff to read the Proclamation accession speech. The High Sheriff will briefly give a speech before reading the Proclamation. At the end of the Proclamation, the High Sheriff will call for three cheers for His Majesty the King. Members of the public are welcome to attend the reading and the council is making parking on the day free in all Council-owned car parks (charges may apply in car parks run by other operators). Anyone who wishes to attend is asked to approach Market Square on foot. I know these coming days will be challenging, as we navigate through the period of mourning and change for our nation. We have cancelled all public meetings due to take place during the mourning period. I will write to you with further updates as events continue to unfold and with further details of what is happening here in Buckinghamshire. God Save the King, Yours, Martin Tett Leader of Buckinghamshire Council |
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HM Queen Elizabeth II
It is with great sorrow that Radnage Parish Council receives the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth realms.
