The Environmental Control and Protection team has launched a one-year project to monitor PM2.5 air pollution across the county and are seeking hosts for 100 low-cost air quality sensors. The air quality sensors will measure PM2.5 air pollution, small particles in the air that can increase the risk of health problems and that can be damaging to the environment.

This is part of Wiltshire Council’s Wiltshire Community Air Network (WCAN) project and is the first step in gathering evidence on local PM2.5 concentrations. The sensors will provide real time data which members of the public will be able to access online.

Individuals and organisations can now apply online to borrow a sensor. The closing date for applications is Friday 11 July 2025. For further details please see the below document.

Wessex Water Environment Fund - open for applications. 

Town and Parish councils, or some of the community groups are eligible to apply for this programme.

This programme supports charitable and community-led initiatives that improve local biodiversity or have a positive impact on the environment for the benefit of local people, with grants of up to £2,000.

Eligible projects must demonstrate at least one of the following outcomes:

• Involving communities in environmental activities that benefit the local area
• Restoring, maintaining, or enhancing the local natural environment
• Engaging residents in protecting and supporting the local natural environment

Current priorities include:

• Reducing water use
• Improving environmental sustainability in the local area
• Improving local biodiversity

Registered charities, voluntary or community groups with charitable aims, not-for-profit or Community Interest Companies, and schools (provided the project has a community benefit), are also eligible to apply for the programme. Applicants must be based and working in the area served by Wessex Water.

Previous grants have supported projects such as:

• To restore and maintain a wildlife pond
• To install a recycling station and provide litter picking equipment for a youth club
• Towards a community tree planting event
• Installation of a rainwater harvesting solution and irrigation system for a community garden
• Creating wildflower areas on underused land in a village
• Kits for local residents to take part in a water quality survey of the River Avon
• Dung beetle surveys to assess prey availability for Greater Horseshoe Bats

Applications close on 19th May 2025.

Further details about the fund, including guidance on how to apply, can be found here:

https://www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/groups/wessex-water-environment-fund/

The NHS in the local area is trying to find out more about why people make the decision to seek treatment at local Accident & Emergency departments. They are looking to get as many people as possible to complete a survey so they can understand more. 

Have you been treated in an Accident & Emergency department recently? Complete the Big A&E Survey today

During 2024 there was a 5.6 per cent increase in visits to Accident and Emergency Departments in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury, mainly due to a rise in the number of ‘walk-in’ patients.

To help understand the reasons for this, Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire NHS Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) has launched the Big A&E Survey – a major outreach exercise find out why more people are attending A&E departments in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury.

In order to bring waiting times down, BSW ICB needs to understand why more people are going to A&Es instead of using other NHS services, such as GP surgeries, Minor Injury Units or the NHS 111 service. With BSW’s population growing all the time, it’s crucial to know the reasons behind this trend.

Over the next three months, BSW ICB is working with Healthwatch and hospitals in Bath, Swindon and Salisbury to find out more through the Big A&E Survey.

There will be face-to-face questionnaires carried out at all three A&Es in BSW. Additionally, a digital survey will explore why patients choose EDs and their awareness of other treatment options. It will also look for any health inequalities and service gaps.

The findings will be analysed to understand what’s behind the rising demand and to make recommendations for plans to reduce this demand and improve communication with specific population groups needing support.

How you can get involved

Have you or a family member attended an Accident and Emergency Department in BSW recently? If so, completing our short survey by clicking the link below will help us understand why people at going to the A&Es and the decision-making process for patients attending them for treatment. Having a better understanding of this will help us to improve services for everyone.

BSW Big A&E Survey

bsw.icb.nhs.uk/the-big-aande-survey/

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are trying to highlight the issues the county faces with invasive non-native species (INNS). Their first task is to educate people to the three main plants that can cause issues and how to identify them. The three main plants are shown in the poster that can be downloaded below.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust are hoping once the plants are recognised, they can be uploaded onto https://innsmapper.org/home which is also available in a mobile App. This information helps map the extent of these plants and helps Wiltshire Wildlife Trust plan to treat/remove them.

These Invasives not only effect the environment by outcompeting native flora, but they can also impose huge economic burdens. The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust can provide advice on dealing with INNS and sometimes provide treatment. These plants usually raise their heads in the spring months, and continue to grow throughout the year.

We are continuing to see impacts following heavy rainfall from Storms Eowyn and Herminia.

Rainfall totals over the weekend (25th & 26th January 2025) were an average of 30-40mm across Wessex and some of this rain fell as intense downpours. We have seen widespread flooding, from both surface water and rivers, over the weekend and this week.

On this page is the Wiltshire Council Recovery Guide as well as a guide to recovery actions that anyone affected can take. This includes information on insurance and cleaning up.

Reporting Flooding

Flooding should be reported to Wiltshire Council as soon as you can if your home or business has flooded. We understand it is a difficult time when people are affected by flooding however, we would encourage those affected to report property flooding as close to the event as possible.

The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust invites you to an exclusive series of four expert talks on cybercrime. Learn about the latest trends, technical and psychological tricks and how to identify them from knowledgeable speakers. Each 60-minute session will start at 9:15am and will be followed by a networking opportunity with refreshments at The Business Cyber Centre (BCC), Chippenham, SN15 1BN. 

For more information and to book tickets please contact Wiltshire Bobby Van on 01225 595090 or visit their website www.wiltshirebobbyvan.org.uk

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking all residents to use their voice and identify how much extra they would be prepared to pay for policing – and why.

PCC Philip Wilkinson’s annual Use Your Voice: Budget and Precept survey seeks the views of residents and stakeholders as the budget for policing and commissioned services for the next financial year (2025/6) is developed. #MakingWiltshireSafer

Use your voice and complete our quick survey: bit.ly/UseYourVoicePrecept25

Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Board are working in partnership with key local organisations to bring you the most up to date cost of lining support. Please click below for more information. 

Wiltshire Council are offering grants to help homes and businesses become more resilient to flooding by helping to pay for a range of property improvements. 

Closing dates: 

Storm Babet (Oct 23) - 1st July 2025

Storm Hank (Jan 24) - 1st October 2025

Please contact Wiltshire Council for further details. 

According to the Environment Agency, over two million people in England live and work in properties at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea, whilst more face flood threats from groundwater, surface water, sewers, and reservoirs.

In extreme conditions you won't be able to stop flood water, and you should always put personal safety above attempts to protect property and possessions. Despite this, there are steps that you can take to keep water out, to buy yourself time to preserve property and possessions, and to limit the damage that flood water does.

At Gocompare, they have put together a guide to preparing for a flood and protecting your property; view it here - https://www.gocompare.com/household-tips/limiting-flood-risk-and-damage/

https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1142/indicative-plan_132787242_3553338_e36bc113b4.pdfhttps://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1142/indicative-plan_132787242_3553338_e36bc113b4.pdfWiltshire Council

Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984

Temporary Closure of: C76 (Part), Tockenham and Brinkworth (Ref: TTRO 8665)

Notice is hereby given that the Wiltshire Council has made an Order to close temporarily to all traffic: C76 (Part), Tockenham and Brinkworth; from its property known as Manor House, Tockenham for a distance of approximately 610m in a northerly direction. To enable: Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd to carry out vegetation removal, brickwork repairs and other associated works.

Alternative route: via C76 (unaffected length) – C122 – A3102 – C76 (unaffected length) and vice versa.

The closure and diversion route will be clearly indicated by traffic signs.

This Order will come into operation on 15 May 2023 and the closure will be required between the hours of 22:00 and 06:00 for 4 nights It is anticipated that the works will take the stated duration to complete depending upon weather conditions. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses where possible, although delays are likely due to the nature of the works. The Order will have a maximum duration of 18 months.

For further information please contact Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd on 0345 711 4141.

Sustainable Transport Group, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN 11 May 2023

If you are passionate about making a difference become a Wiltshire Bobby Van Stay Safe On-line Volunteer.

For further information contact Toni Evans

WBVT Stay Safe Online Manager Email:Toni@wbvt.org

Could you be entitled to £100s off your fuel bills? £200 Wiltshire Surviving Winter Grant You could be eligible if you: 

• Are over State Pension age 

• Receive a means-tested benefit or have annual income below £16,996 (single person household) / £26,113 (other households) 

 • Worry about the cost of heating

 We also advise on other benefits and schemes