COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

As the Link goes to press this month, the UK is expecting its first heatwave of the year. In the UK, a heatwave is declared when the daily temperature of a location meets or exceeds the heatwave temperature threshold for at least three days. There are four heatwave thresholds in the UK reflecting the differences in climate. The lowest, covering places like Wales and Scotland, is 25°c, and the highest, covering London and parts of the East Midlands, is 28°c. The UK experienced a brief but unprecedented extreme heatwave in July 2022, when temperatures in parts of England exceeded 40℃ for the first time.

Although many people enjoy warmer, summer weather, anyone can become unwell if they get too hot. People can become unwell through overheating, dehydration, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. Hot weather can also place strains on water and energy networks, road and rail transport, and health and fire services. This can result in power cuts, restriction or loss of water supplies, and disruption to transport.

WHO IS MOST AT RISK?

Hot weather can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk of being impacted by heat. Some of the groups who may be most at risk are:

• Older adults
• Babies and young children
• Pregnant women
• People with underlying health conditions (particularly heart and breathing problems)
• People who are physically active and spend a lot of time outdoors (e.g., runners, cyclists, manual labourers)
• People experiencing homelessness

Those who are likely to be at greater risk should take extra care to protect themselves before periods of hot weather. If you know anyone who might be at greater risk you can ensure that they are aware of the actions they need to take to keep themselves safe, and offer practical help if appropriate (e.g. helping them to stock up on water or medication).

ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE DURING A SPELL OF HOT WEATHER

Drink plenty of fluids. If you are going out, take a refillable bottle filled with water.

Keep out of the sun as much as possible at the hottest time of the day (between 11:00am and 3:00pm).

Apply sunscreen generously and re-apply frequently, especially after activities that remove it, such as swimming or towelling. The NHS website has advice on applying sunscreen correctly (www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety).

Schedule physical activities (e.g., exercise, walking the dog) for times of the day when it is cooler, such as the morning or evening.

Keep your home cool by shading and closing windows and curtains, especially in rooms that face the sun, and opening windows when the air feels cooler (e.g., at night).

During hot weather, it may be cooler outside (in the shade) or in a public building (such as places of worship, local libraries, or supermarkets): visiting these places may be an alternative way of cooling down if you are able to safely travel there without putting yourself at risk from the heat.

Small, closed spaces such as stationary cars can get dangerously hot very quickly. Make sure that babies, children, older adults and pets are not left alone in stationary cars or other closed spaces. Take extra water for journeys on public transport or by car.

Read about the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke (www.nhs.uk/conditions/heat-exhaustion-heatstroke) and understand the actions to take if you or someone else has them. Heat exhaustion does not usually need emergency medical help if you can cool down within 30 minutes. If it turns into heatstroke, it needs to be treated as an emergency.

Ensure that family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell are aware of, and following, actions to keep themselves safe.

If you are worried about your own or someone else’s health, contact your local pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111, for offer advice and support.

Remember, too, that heatwaves can cause drought, leading to concerns about water supplies. You can help conserve water by doing the following:

• Turn off taps, as this can waste up to 6 litres of water per minute
• Consider having a shower instead of a bath
• Try not to wash your car, or use a bucket rather than a hosepipe
• Don’t pour water down the drain if there’s another use for it, such as watering plants
• In the garden, use a watering can instead of a hosepipe
• Only use your washing machine and dishwasher if you have a full load and use the eco mode if available, which uses less water and saves energy
• Install a water saving device in your toilet cistern

Check your local news and the Severn Trent website regularly for information on water availability in the area and water management actions in force, including actions you can take to help.

Community Resilience Newsletter, Leek Wootton Link, Jul/Aug 2025

HS2 will be closing a section of the A46 from the Stivichall Interchange (Festival Island) to the Thickthorn Island (A452 for Leamington and Kenilworth) for 19 days. It will hold three days as a contingency in case of an unforeseen event

Full closure dates: 8pm Friday 11 April until 6am Thursday 1 May 2025

A new box structure is to be pushed into place to take the HS2 line under the A46 near Kenilworth. Once the box is slid into place, we will complete the remaining works; resurface the carriageway, reinstate the white lines and safety barriers ready to reopen the A46.

As part of the closure a number of mitigation measures are to be put in place to protect communities from through traffic and ease local traffic flows:

• No right turn into or out of Hill Wootton Road at Kenilworth Road, Blackdown
• Full road closure of Ashow Road at junction near the Chesford
• Temporary traffic lights at Blacklow or Gaveston roundabout (A46 south of Leek Wootton) - only to be used if necessary
• Temporary traffic lights at St John's gyratory, Kenilworth - only to be used if necessary
• Dalehouse Lane will be one-way only towards Kenilworth
• Birmingham Road closure at the crossroads into Stoneleigh with a signed diversion in place.
• No right turn onto Coventry Road near the bridge at Stoneleigh from the B4113 towards Stoneleigh Deer Park Golf Course.

There will be diversions in place during the closure. For HGVs and long-distance traffic the diversion is via the M40, M42 and M6, but residents should be aware of increased traffic during this period (including Easter weekend) on alternative routes throughout the area, including Warwick Road through Leek Wootton and the B4115 (Coventry Road), and allow extra time to get to their destination.

Find out more on the HS2 website at https://www.hs2.org.uk/work-items/notice-of-a46-closure-and-lane-restrictions-near-kenilworth/

Or read catchup with live updates on one.network at https://one.network/?tm=GB141796801

Cllr Joy Morgan wrote the following piece for the Dec 2024/Jan 2025 issue of the Leek Wootton Link. Unfortunately, due to limited space, this was edited down somewhat. Below is Joy's complete article:

The recent loss of water in the parish, followed most recently by a surprisingly early snowfall, has perhaps given some of us a jolt to think about whether we are properly prepared as households and as a community to deal with weather and unforeseen events.  There is, perhaps, a tendency for us to feel, as a community in the land-locked Midlands and close to urban conurbations, that we won’t be hit by a loss of power or water, but as extreme weather events are on the increase around the world, we might need to think more seriously about our vulnerability.  In Autumn and Winter 2023/24, many more areas in the Warwick District Council area flooded than previously, with some areas flooding that had never flooded before. 

COLD WEATHER, SNOW AND ICE

Although many people enjoy the winter season, during periods of cold weather some people are at higher risk of illness if they become too cold, or can seriously hurt themselves if they slip and fall.

Severely cold weather can also cause disruption to road and rail transport. Car accidents also become more likely when road surfaces are icy and people are not used to driving in these conditions.

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Who is most at risk?

Cold weather can affect anyone, but some people may face a higher risk being impacted by cold. Some of the groups who may be most at risk are:

• Older adults.
• People with long-term health conditions such as cardiovascular or respiratory disease, or a mental health condition.
• Pregnant people.
• Babies and young children.
• People with learning disabilities.
• People at risk of falls.
• People who live alone and may be unable to care for themselves.
• People who are housebound or have low mobility.
• People experiencing homelessness or people sleeping rough.

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Actions to take to prepare for cold weather or if cold weather is forecast

• Read about the symptoms of hypothermia and understand the actions to take if you or someone else has them. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and needs to be treated in hospital. 
• Plan ahead and check that you have enough medication and food in case it is harder than usual to leave the house. You could think about who might be able to help pick up food and medication on your behalf if you were unable to leave the house – let them know you might need them. 
• Prepare your vehicle for driving in cold weather. The RAC provides advice on preparing your vehicle for winter conditions at https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/how-to/top-10-ways-to-detect-a-breakdown/ and on how to drive in snow at https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/winter-driving/driving-in-snow/
• Consider packing a few essential items in your car’s boot to make sure you are ready in case of getting stuck in cold and wintry weather. The RAC recommends drivers carry the following: demisting pad, torch (wind-up so you don’t run out of battery), a hi-vis vest to make you’re visible if you break down, a blanket to keep you warm, some food, a drink, spare screenwash, de-icer, ice scraper, blanket, shovel, phone charger, map, a first aid kit, a warning triangle, some jump leads, a spade and a square of carpet that you can use to put under your drive wheels should you get stuck in the snow.
• If you plan to cycle, The Met Office provides helpful advice on how to cycle in winter at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/travel/cycling-in-winter

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Actions you can take during a spell of cold weather

• Check the weather forecasts and warnings, or download the Met Office Weather Forecast app where you can create alerts for your area. Pay particular attention to any National Severe Weather Warnings or Cold Health Alerts covering your area, and act on any advice issued. 
• Ensure that family, friends and neighbours who may be at higher risk of becoming unwell are aware of, and following, actions to keep themselves safe. If you are worried about someone else’s health, contact your local pharmacist, your GP or NHS 111, who will all be able to offer advice and support.
• Support those who might need extra help by checking how they are feeling, and offering practical support (e.g., help obtaining food or medication) if possible.
• Keep your home warm – try to heat rooms you spend the most time in, such as the living room or bedroom, to at least 18°C.
• Keep your windows closed, particularly at night and reduce draughts wherever possible. 
• Do what you can to stay active, indoors. 
• Wear several layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer. 
• Wear shoes with good grip to avoid slips and falls on slippery or icy surfaces when out and about. 

The Met Office’s WeatherReady pages at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/weatherready  provide regularly updated seasonal advice, and weather updates can be found at https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

Did You Know?

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free UK wide service which provides extra advice and support, including when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply.

The Priority Services Register (PSR) is free to join.  It helps utility companies, including energy suppliers, electricity, gas and water networks to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs. It helps them tailor their services to support households who need extra help with everyday energy matters like bills, and also in the unlikely event of a power cut, gas or water supply interruption.

Utility companies are working together to make sure that a property receives all the support services covered by the Priority Services Register. By telling them once, they update your PSR request with your energy supplier (the company you pay your bills to) and your regional network companies including electricity and gas. Since 31 March 2023 electricity companies are, where possible, sharing PSR information with water companies, so you can get vital help and support from them too if there's a break in your water supply.

The PSR promise is made by all participating energy companies in England, Wales and Scotland. They will always follow privacy laws and your PSR information will never be used for marketing.

You are eligible for free PSR services if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Are of pensionable age
• Use medical equipment reliant on electricity or water
• Are deaf or hard of hearing
• Have a disability
• Have a chronic illness
• Are blind or partially sighted
• Have loss or impairment of smell
• Have anxiety, depression or any mental health condition
• Temporarily need extra support
• Live with children under five
• Need documents translated into another format or language

The benefits of signing up for priority services are:

1. Support and information during a power or gas supply interruption

You can contact the network operators in the UK 24 hours a day, every day, and get priority updates in a power cut. If your electricity or gas needs to be temporarily switched off to carry out essential maintenance, you will get prior advance notice to allow you to plan ahead.

2.  Connection to local emergency services

Your electricity and gas companies work with local authorities, emergency services and agencies, like the British Red Cross, to provide extra support to people on the Priority Services Register.

3. Emergency power

If you use medical equipment/aids which use electricity or water the PSR helps to prioritise help during prolonged supply interruptions. Portable generators or bottled water can be delivered when necessary.

4. Emergency gas

If you are on mains gas and your supply is interrupted for a prolonged period, the PSR will aim to help you with emergency electrical heating and cooking appliances.

5. Communication tailored to your needs

You can request a format that suits your needs, e.g. Large Print, Braille, textphone, audio or a language other than English.

6. Nominated contact

If it helps, the PSR can contact a nominated carer, family member or friend on your behalf

7. Peace of mind

Joining the PSR allows you to set up a password to use when electricity or gas company employees call you or knock at your door. Registering a password helps protect your personal safety and home security

8. Emergency Contact

In a power cut, you can call 105

Register now at https://www.thepsr.co.uk/

Nearly all emergencies affecting the local community will be dealt with routinely by a joint response from the emergency services, local authorities, health agencies and utility companies. However, in extreme conditions such as snow and flooding, there is a possibility that the emergency services and other agencies may be overwhelmed and not be able to reach us immediately.

The Parish Council's Emergency Plan is currently under review. However, a communication system remains in place since the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can contact the Clerk or Parish Councillors at any time.