Latest COVID-19 update from RMBC….

COVID-19 header
Monday 21st September 2020

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing weekly email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected.

If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.

You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus


Help Keep Rotherham Open

Latest COVID-19 figures

The latest 7-day infection rate in Rotherham has seen an increase to 38.9 per 100,000 from 23 per 100,000 last week.

The figures come as the government’s chief scientific adviser warned that the UK could see as many as 50,000 new coronavirus cases a day by mid-October.

Sir Patrick Vallance said that would be expected to lead to about “200-plus deaths per day” by the end of October.

The PM is preparing to chair a Cobra emergency committee meeting tomorrow morning before making a statement in the House of Commons.

The coronavirus R rate in the UK has increased to between 1.1 and 1.4, the Government’s Sage committee has said.

The R rate measures the number of people that one infected person will pass on a virus to, on average.

The higher R is above 1, the faster the epidemic is growing.

It remains incumbant on all of us, at work and at home to continue to take these vital steps to Keep Rotherham Open:

  • Keep 2 metres apart whenever possible
  • Wash hands often
  • Self isolate and get tested if you have symptoms
  • Wear a face covering whenever required
  • Please encourage anyone with symptoms, however mild, to get tested as soon as possible.

There is high demand for tests nationally and we would ask anyone who tries to book a test and is unable to do so, or who is offered a location or time which is not convenient, to please wait a few hours and try again – more booking slots are released at regular intervals.

Further information regarding coronavirus is avaialble on the Council website.


NHS Test and Trace App

NHS Test and Trace App and Posters

The new NHS Test and Trace App will be available to download from Thursday 24 September. The app offers users an easy to use service to track their symptoms, check-in to places they’ve visited and offers advice about self-isolating and booking a test.

The app is free to download and everyone with a smart phone is encouraged to get the app to help fight coronavirus. Further information about the app can be found online at www.covid19.nhs.uk/

The Council is urging businesses to download the posters and display them in easy to access places on their premises as well as supporting them follow the new guidance about recording Test and Trace data. Businesses who must record the details of customers for Test and Trace information, e.g. cafes, restaurants, and leisure centres, must also display the new NHS QR Code posters on their premises.

Further information about the new guidance is available on the Council’s website at www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus and on the Gov.uk website.

The app will let users scan the new NHS QR posters that businesses will be displaying from Thursday 24 September as part of their Test and Trace activities. 

Road News

Rotherham’s roads set to benefit from £24million over the next four years

Over £9 million of capital investment has been committed to Rotherham’s transport network throughout the next twelve months with a further almost £6 million earmarked to improve the borough’s roads.

It comes as the Council plans to invest £24 million in local transport over the next four years as part of the “£24m to ’24” Roads Programme.

The Council’s Transport and Highways Capital Programme for 2020/21 will deliver a number of improvements including:

  • A total of £8.5 million to improve the condition of the borough’s roads, funding more than 190 roads to be resurfaced
  • 30 footpath repair schemes
  • £1,100,000 of local transport system improvements including five pedestrian and puffin crossings
  • £658,000 for Local Road Safety Schemes to address known accident hotspots
  • Over £210,000 on improving traffic flow and £100k for cycling projects
  • £50,000 for Electric Vehicle Charging Points
  • Up to £3 million for active travel and cycle schemes, dependent on funding from Sheffield City Region

Year Ahead

The Year Ahead

The Council’s cabinet approved the paper for the Year Ahead at a meeting this morning.

The Year Ahead is the Council’s plan for working within and recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic.
It sets out our priorities and gives details about the key actions we will take through to May 2021, providing the basis for the development of a longer-term plan for the borough.

It sets out how the Council will work with Rotherham communities, residents and businesses in these uncertain times; providing ongoing support to those who continue to be affected by the pandemic and helping to build resilience as we all adapt to the challenges ahead.

Local people and groups can still let us know what they think of the plan by getting in touch via the Council website.

Bridgegate

Work to start on new look town centre open spaces

Work is due to start to improve the look and feel of the town centre’s open spaces this week (21st September)

The designs for Phase One of the works on Bridgegate will provide a much needed revamp incorporating new paving and lighting aimed at improving lines of sight and giving a brighter, more modern feel to the area. Installation of the street catenary lighting has already taken place and the removal of the brick planters will open up the street to provide an open space to expand the potential opportunities for events and activities.

Public Realm


Housing

Rotherham’s Council Housing growth continues

More new Council homes for local residents are set to be created across the borough thanks to the Council’s housing growth programme.

Plans for new homes on Council owned sites, across five parts of the borough, have been agreed for early development in 2020/21 as part of an additional £65million investment for housing growth over the next five years. The programme of investment will bring the Council’s total commitment to new Council home building up to £130 million.

The report includes sites in Treeton, Ravenfield, Thrybergh and Wingfield likely to be developed in the coming year, with sites in Kiveton Park, Thurcroft and West Melton amongst others envisaged to be developed in the following year.