News in Maldon

Maldon Town Council is to delay the decision on the town centre Christmas event for this year until June.

Councillor Michael Pearlman reported to a meeting of the full town council tonight (Monday, 1 February) that the Christmas event working group has put off the decision until then so that a clearer picture on the pandemic situation can be formed.

Teachers will not support being forced to return to the classroom for summer schools, a national education union has said.

But instead a more strategic targeting of children – especially those in younger years should be undertaken to address what the needs are for individual children.

A flood alert has been issued for Hythe Quay and Maldon Prom.

The alert is as a result of high tide and and is in place from now until 4.30pm today.

Those from all over Essex who have enjoyed cruises sailing from Tilbury may be sad to learn that one of the key ships involved is about to be scrapped.

The 55-year-old Marco Polo was the ship around which the Thurrock-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) was built, setting the standard for the older, mature market that CMV targeted.

Latest complete data from Public Health England shows that the Covid-19 infection rate for Maldon district has dropped to 326.5 cases per 100,000.

In the seven days leading up to Monday, 25 January there was a total of 212 new cases recorded in the Maldon district.

Maldon District Council is to decide whether to declare a climate emergency, listing a range of local issues including the risk of flooding and air quality.

The issues brought about by new development, including rising levels of pollution, carbon emissions and the need for sustainable transport are also featured in the statement, which sets out the council's aspirations for change.

The air ambulance serving Maldon is using a 'dry fog' of electrolysed saline to make sure all crews and equipment are decontaminated after every trip.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is taking the additional steps to protect patients and crew members from Covid-19 by decontaminating with specially-prepared water containing salt and electricity which instantly kills 99.99 per cent of bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Six new treatment rooms and an emergency care surgical unit have been created at Broomfield Hospital in a bid to help tackle pressures on A&E caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

A new chemotherapy treatment area is also being installed to allow the hospital to see more cancer patients whilst keeping them safely distanced.

There are plans afoot which could make travel from Maldon into Chelmsford easier, smoother - and more environmentally friendly.

Plans to expand Sandon Park and Ride are being developed as part of Essex County Council's strategy to improve travel into and out of Chelmsford.

Maldon district councillors have voted to recommend a 50 per cent reduction in wharfage fees for the Thames sailing barges at Hythe Quay for the 2021/22 financial year.

The proposal will now need to be ratified by the full council. However, the move was not supported by all councillors at the meeting of Maldon District Council's Strategy and Resources Committee tonight (Thursday, 28 January) with six councillors voting for the reduction and four abstaining.