Bygrave Water Mains Works

Please can drivers avoid driving through upper Bygrave whilst the work currently being carried out on the water mains is ongoing.

We have been advised that workers are concerned about the danger of the amount of traffic coming through despite the road closure.

Please can drivers respect the road closure signs and and avoid upper Bygrave until the road officially opens again.

Thank you

Saving waste and supporting our community!

Choose To Reuse - Did you know that all of Hertfordshire’s recycling centres take still-good items to be reused? Look out for the pink ‘Reuse Drop Off’ sign when dropping off furniture, bikes, toys, games and garden items.

What happens to the items in the Reuse Drop Off? - Most items are sold in Reuse Shops located at Harpenden, Stevenage, Waterdale (Watford), Ware and WGC Recycling Centres. Visit today and pick up a bargain! For more information see: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/reuse. All profits go back into the recycling centre service: saving waste and benefitting Hertfordshire residents.

Do you donate items to good causes? - Every week we donate items to vulnerable households, charities, schools and community groups. For more information see: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/communitydonations. Last year over £7000 of items were donated to support those in need in Hertfordshire.

Message from Director of Public Health regarding flu vaccination

Flu is now circulating in the community with the number of people infected higher than we usually see at this time of the year.

The main virus circulating is a strain associated with more severe illness and higher death rates than other types of flu, particularly in the elderly.

Experts nationally are predicting that we are likely to see a worse flu season than we’ve experienced for many years. We’re asking you to please share this message with the people you support and work with.

The flu vaccination remains the best protection against influenza. It takes about two weeks following the flu vaccination to build up immunity against the virus, so it’s important that people book as soon as you can.

Flu is highly infectious and can lead to serious illness. Remember to get your flu vaccine this year to protect yourself and others around you.Those who are most at risk of serious illness can get it for free - here’s how you can book your free flu vaccine today:

Speak to your GP practice
Online, search ‘NHS pharmacy vaccine’
NHS app
Call 119 (translator available)

Even if you can't get a free vaccine, you can still pay for one from a participating local pharmacy.Let’s keep each other safe this winter visit, www.hertsandwestessex.ics.nhs.uk/your-health-and-care/vaccinations/flu-vaccines/ for more information.Vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and COVID is also important for those eligible.”

Beware of Winter Fuel Payment Scams

Between April and September 2025, Action Fraud has received 2,790 crime reports relating to Winter Fuel Payment scams, with victims reporting losses totalling over £27,000.Winter Fuel Payments are made automatically, you do not need to do anything.

If you receive any text messages about Winter Fuel Payments, it’s a scam.

Further A1(M) Road Closure notice from National Highways

Important roadworks informationA1(M) northbound junctions 9 to 10 – resurfacing I’m writing to tell you that we plan to carry out resurfacing work on the A1(M) between junctions 9 and 10, including junction 9 entry slip road.

Once complete, drivers will benefit from a safer, smoother and better-defined road surface. We now plan to complete this work overnight on Thursday 27 November 2025. We will work between 9pm and 5am, weather permitting.

Closures and diversions

To carry out the work safely, we will need to close the A1(M) northbound between junctions 9 and 10, and divert traffic as follows: Traffic travelling northbound on the A1(M) will need to:·

Exit the A1(M) at junction 9 and return southbound to exit at junction 8· At the roundabout take the 4th exit onto the A602 and continue to the A505· At the roundabout take the 2nd exit onto the A600, continue on the A507· At the roundabout take the 4th exit and follow the A507 until you to rejoin the A1(M) at junction 10.

Hertfordshire Age UK

The flyer gives details of winter welfare visits carried out by Hertfordshire Age UK and how professionals can refer people.

Residents in Hertfordshire can get more information on how to self-refer for a Winter Welfare Check by calling Chris on 07903 429743 or email Chris.skrabski@ageukherts.org.uk Age UK Hertfordshire are delivering Winter Welfare Visits to support older and/or vulnerable people to stay warm and safe this winter.

This service is fully funded by HCC under the Household Support Fund and is free of charge.

Support will be delivered via our 'handyperson' service, who can help with:

Providing and installing radiator reflector strips to maximise heat dispersion
Providing and installing draught excluders for doors and windows to reduce heat loss
Providing and installing night lights and replacing faulty energy-efficient bulbs
Providing an electric blanket or winter duvet (single size only)
Helping to take meter readings and set heating timings and thermostats (please note we are unable to help with central heating issues as this will require a gas-safe engineer and/or appropriate tradesman)

The service will run from 27th October 2025 to 31st March 2026.All team members are DBS checked, referenced, and will carry ID.

HCC Survey - Help Shape HCC Budget for 2026/27

HCC have launched a survey which gives you the chance to have your say and help shape their budget for 2026/27, see their note below:

We are setting our budget against a challenging financial backdrop of increasing need for and cost of our services, especially adults and children’s social care which make up 68% of our spending. It will include new measures to reduce costs and make every penny of council taxpayer’s money count.

Since 2010, a total of £495 million savings have been achieved, including £46m over the previous twelve months and a further £42m in savings this year.

The short survey highlights how our 1.2 billion budget is spent across a range of services which touch the lives of all Hertfordshire’s 1.2 million residents. It also asks you to consider where you would prioritise spending of finite resources and share ideas to make further savings and increase income.

Your feedback will help ensure that residents voices are heard and reflected in the key decisions that will be made. The survey is open now and closes on Sunday 7th December https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/.../budget-survey-2026...