Last updated: 14.36am on Friday 26 June
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Met Office issued a red heat-health alert across the South East this week.
A red heat-health alert is the highest level of alert and indicates a risk to everyone's health, not just vulnerable groups. The alert has been extended to 11pm Friday 26 June.
Find out more about on heat-health alerts on the UKHSA website.
Advice and guidance to stay safe in the heat
- how to cope in hot weather - NHS heatwave advice
- keeping babies and young children safe in the heat - NHS
- sunscreen and sun safety - NHS sunscreen safety
- water safety - Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website, Royal Lifesaving Society UK summer safety and UKHSA - wild swimming safety tips
- animal welfare advice for summer - RSPCA website
- keeping your medications safe in hot weather - GOV.UK
- exercising safely in the heat - Nuffield Health website
Service changes and updates
Bin collections
All delayed collections from Thursday 25 June have been caught up. All refuse, garden and food collections from Friday 26 June have been completed. Recycling rounds have been completed.
Schools
Schools will be updating parents on any changes to uniform requirements or school hours. The school closures web page will include updates when received, however please check your child's school website in the first instance or look out for school emails for the latest information.
Libraries
Changes to individual library opening times will be published on the libraries section of our website, and on the Bracknell Forest library and information service Facebook page. Libraries with air conditioning are being used as cool hubs (see list below). Updated changes to normal opening hours include:
- Bracknell Library will be open from 9:30am to midday on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 June.
- Birch Hill, Crowthorne and Sandhurst libraries are closed on Friday 26 June but will all be open again on Saturday 27 June from 9:30am to midday.
Open+ is available from 8am to 8pm at Birch Hill and Sandhurst Libraries.
Best Start Family Hubs
Changes to the family hub sessions will be published on the Best Start Family Hubs information page and the Best Start Family Hubs Facebook page.
Cool hubs
Residents can visit air conditioned community spaces to take advantage of the cool buildings for some relief to the heat. The following spaces will be open on Friday and Saturday:
Friday 26 June
Ascot Heath Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 5pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am, 5pm to 8pm
Binfield Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 6:30pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 6:30pm to 8pm
Great Hollands Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 7pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 7pm to 8pm
Harmans Water Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 5pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 5pm to 8pm
Whitegrove Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 5pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 5pm to 8pm
Time Square Community Hub
- Staffed hours - 9am to 5pm
Saturday 27 June
Ascot Heath Library
- Open+ hours - 8am to 6pm
Binfield Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 4pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 4pm to 6pm
Great Hollands Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 12:30pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and 12:30pm to 6pm
Harmans Water Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to midday
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am and midday to 6pm
Whitegrove Library
- Staffed hours - 9:30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm
- Open+ hours - 8am to 9:30am, 1pm to 2pm and 4pm to 6pm
Local train timetable changes
South Western Railway will run an amended timetable from Tuesday to Friday this week. During this time, fewer trains will be running across the network. Trains that run are expected to be busier and journey times will likely be longer than usual. Full details are on the South Western Railway website.
Great Western Rail is advising essential travel only on their network, with amended timetables from Wednesday to Friday this week. Full details on the Great Western Railway website.
