Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to expand help provided for vulnerable people who have been rough sleeping.
The City Council have said the centrepiece of these plans is to open a new and more modern base for emergency accommodation and support, as part of its work to ensure no one needs to sleep rough in Milton Keynes.
As part of the process, the City Council will be relocating their shelter from the Old Bus Station to Mullion Place in Fishermead.
In a statement, the City Council said the move is intended to provide additional access to support for anyone experiencing rough sleeping.
The new facility, close to the city centre, will be operated in partnership with Connection Support, a city charity who work with people to help them overcome life’s challenges and live independently. It will provide 24-hour help for up to 20 people at any time, providing drug and alcohol recovery programmes alongside life skills training such as cooking lessons.
Although the former facility offered onsite support, it was set up for men only in a dormitory style, whereas the new accommodation has individual rooms alongside showers and kitchens and can accommodate all sexes in a more dignified environment.
It also means individuals can now stay for 24-hours, giving people more time and space to focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives, and to more comprehensively use the personalised help on offer to build their skills and confidence in living independently. The Fishermead facility was previously used by the Salvation Army for a similar purpose, providing accommodation for former rough sleepers.
Since opening in June 2022, the Old Bus Station facility has provided a safe overnight space for 528 people facing rough sleeping, accommodating up to 19 individuals at a time, which was enough space to ensure no one had to sleep rough in the city. Then and now, the city council’s outreach team offer support and stay in regular contact with any individuals who are sleeping rough. Some people may not engage immediately but the caring team never give up on anyone.
The new base in Fishermead allows the city council to build on its work. Over recent years, it has introduced a range of initiatives to reduce rough sleeping, with the number of people on the streets falling significantly. Alongside providing support with mental health diagnosis and treatment, many people have been reconnected with their loved ones, and used financial assistance to secure a rented home – helping them to stay off the streets for good.
Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health and Communities, Cllr Donna Fuller, said, “This is a really positive move and means we can offer an even higher standard of care for people who need it most. Our new facility in Fishermead allows us to offer people a space where they can stay longer, stabilise and access the help they need to move forward. Our aim is always to help people build a life away from the streets and we’ll be able to do this even more effectively going forward.”
Police are appealing for witnesses following an incident of indecent exposure in Milton Keynes.
The incident happened at around 1.15pm on Saturday 10 May on the redway adjacent to H4 Dansteed Way.
During the incident, the victim, a woman aged in her seventies, was cycling in the direction of Downhead Park when she noticed a man to the left of her. The man was indecently exposing himself.
He is described as a white man with a pale complexion and dark brown hair with a fringe.
He was wearing dark clothing, possibly a hooded top and jeans.
Investigating officer PC Victoria Bowles, based at Milton Keynes police station, lead Thames Valley Police’s appeals.
PC Bowles said, “I am appealing to anybody who witnessed this individual or who may have any information that could assist my investigation to get in touch with Thames Valley Police.
“You can make a report online or call 101, quoting reference 43250230120.
“Alternatively, for anonymity, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Milton Keynes City Council have announced a programme of 34 road resurfacing projects across the city will start next month.
The announcement is part of the City Council’s overall programme of road surface improvements this year.
Roads selected to be resurfaced were identified by engineers following a series of site inspections, and by analysing feedback from local people.
This has helped the City Council prioritise certain roads for specialist treatment to help prolong the life of the road surface and to reduce the chance of potholes appearing.
The roads included in this programme are:
Main Roads
- B5388 Yardley Road, Olney
- B565 Lavendon Road, Olney
- Filgrave Road (from A509 to Filgrave)
- H2 Millers Way (V5 to Briar Hill)
- Conniburrow Boulevard (V7 to V8)
- Oldbrook Boulevard (V6 to V7)
- Fishermead Boulevard (from V7 to Kellan Drive)
- Stoke Road, Bletchley
Knowlhill
- Davy Avenue
- Roebuck Way
- Kelvin Drive
Coffee Hall
- Johnathans
- Rochfords
- St Dunstans
- Garraways
- Daniels Welch
Netherfield
- Broadlands
- Farthing Grove
- Farmborough
- The Hide
- Beadlemead
- Langlands
Eaglestone
- Golden Drive
- Harrier Drive
Wolverton, Stacey Bushes & Greenleys
- Stacey Avenue
- Woodlands
- Victoria Street
- Southern Way
- Briar Hill
- Myrtle Bank
Residents directly affected in these areas will be written to confirm the expected date of resurfacing, at which point they may need to move any cars on the road. The City Council said they will also put advance notice boards out a few days before work starts.
Occasionally, work schedules need to change due to emergency repairs or poor weather, and anyone impacted is asked to check whether roadworks are still planned at One.Network
Resurfacing treatments being used will depend on the type and condition of the road, but the City Council stated that they will be either micro asphalt or surface dressing.
Micro asphalt is where a thin layer of asphalt emulsion and aggregate is applied to the existing road surface. Meanwhile, surface dressing involves spraying bitumen over the road surface and then spreading small stone chippings over the top.
Both methods are intended to help to protect the road, reducing the need for more extensive and costly repairs in the future. Road markings are reapplied afterwards once the surface has cured (set).
In addition, MK City Council stated that they may also do some pre-surfacing works to repair any larger defects before the surfacing begins.
The City Council’s resurfacing programme will run alongside repairs for reported potholes and other defects.
Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Highways and Transportation said, “By using a range of techniques we can extend the lifespan of our roads, reduce the need for frequent and disruptive repairs. This prevents potholes forming which is more sustainable and better for everyone.”
Drivers should take extra care when driving on a newly laid surface and follow any road sign instructions about speed limits and markings.
Red Bull celebrated their 400th F1 grand prix with victory as Max Verstappen won the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix at Imola in Italy.
The Dutch driver swiped the lead off pole sitter Oscar Piastri on lap one and duly dominated proceedings, stretching out a large advantage over the rest of the field and then rebuilding a comfortable advantage after a late safety car.
Victory from second was Verstappen’s fourth in a row at Imola, and Verstappen’s second of 2025 after he won the Japanese Grand Prix last month.
Meanwhile, teammate Yuki Tsunoda finished 10th, holding off Fernando Alonso to take the final point. The Japanese driver had to start from the pit lane after all-but destroying the car in a major crash in qualifying the day before, but was able to hold out to take a point, as he had at Miami last time out.
The results sees Verstappen maintain his status as the biggest threat to the championship-leading McLarens. In the Driver’s Championship, the Dutchman sits on 124 points, placing him 9 behind Lando Norris and 22 points behind championship leader Piastri.
Tsunoda has 10 points, sitting 12th in the standings. Meanwhile, in the Constructor’s championship, Red Bull remain third but close the gap to second place Mercedes to 16 points after the Milton Keynes-based team outscored their Brackley-based rivals. They sit 148 behind leaders McLaren.
Red Bull began the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix with two cars at either end of the field. Verstappen started second after narrowly missing out on pole to Piastri, while Tsunoda had to start in the pits in effectively a new car after the Japanese driver’s dramatic barrel roll crash in qualifying before he set a lap time.
On lap one, Verstappen had initially got a slower start and was at risk of being passed by the Mercedes of George Russell. But as the field approached the first breaking zone into the Tamburello chicane, Verstappen ended up launching a move and pulling it off, getting ahead of Piastri into the lead.
From there, Verstappen’s day was one of dominance. He was able to break the DRS gap quickly enough and was able to stretch out a lead until Piastri pit. From there, Verstappen ran long until a virtual safety car was deployed for a breakdown of Esteban Ocon’s Haas on lap 29, by which point Verstappen was 40 seconds clear of everyone else.
Things then changed again on lap 46, however, when Andrea Kimi Antonelli saw a loss of power in his Mercedes, which was treated with the full safety car. But after 7 laps behind the safety car, Verstappen was able to manage pace again. He bolted away on the restart and would eventually open up a lead of just over 6 seconds to runner-up Norris, who passed Piastri just after the restart.
As for Tsunoda, Red Bull kept him out long as well, with his fight ultimately being over the lower points positions. Eventually, a move on Nico Hulkenberg just after the Antonelli safety car combined with defensive moves to stay ahead of Alonso, who also passed Hulkenberg’s Sauber, did the trick for Tsunoda to take the final points position.
Red Bull will look to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025 when F1 heads for the second part of a European triple header, with the field heading to the Monaco Grand Prix next weekend.
The organisers of the Reggae Land Festival held at the National Bowl in Milton Keynes just announced more acts for their 2025 edition.
Performers announced were the event’s final outstanding main stage headliners. Dexta Dapswill was announced for Saturday August 2nd, while dancehall star Mavado on Sunday August 3rd.
The pair of announcements sees the new names join a line-up the features over 90 artists set to perform across five vibrant stages at The Milton Keynes National Bowl on August 2nd and 3rd, 2025, as Reggae Land prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary.
A further announcement is that of Little Lion Sound, who will take over the One Love Stage on Saturday with their infectious energy and signature selections.
Following a record-breaking edition in 2024, Reggae Land returns with enhanced production, and a jam-packed programme of reggae, dance hall, dub, jungle, and DnB —alongside art installations, a Caribbean food village with 70+ vendors, a reggae flea market & more.
With already announced names including Chronixx, Capleton, Steel Pulse, Gyptian, Alpha Blondy, Kabaka Pyramid, Protoje, Tanya Stephens, Spragga Benz, Morgan Heritage, Iration Steppas, Mungo’s Hi Fi, Mad Professor, and Aba Shanti I, Reggae Land 2025 promises a substantial array of artists across reggae’s myriad styles for all visitors.
Final tickets to the event went on sale on Friday 16th May at 9am. Tickets are priced at £69.50+ booking fee.
Reggae Land have said they expect to welcome 100,000+ attendees, making it one of the largest reggae festivals in Europe.
The organisers have said that signing up is essential for access to final tickets, and people can sign up via: reggaeland.co.uk
