Rayne Parish Council

25/07/2026

Looking forward to see you.

23/07/2026

Two more sleeps until the perfect start to your weekend.

22/07/2026

Community Coffee Morning this Saturday. Looking forward to chatting with friends old whilst enjoying some fabulous refreshments.
Perfect start to the weekend.

21/07/2026

New Road Parking Update

The Parish Council wishes to provide an update following a number of concerns raised by residents, both directly and on social media, regarding parking on New Road.

Over the past few weeks we have been corresponding with both the North Essex Parking Partnership (NEPP) and Essex Highways to explore whether parking restrictions could be introduced to improve highway safety.

Unfortunately, despite the efforts made by the Parish Council, neither Essex Highways nor NEPP is currently able to progress a scheme. Essex Highways has confirmed that New Road does not meet its criteria for intervention on safety or congestion grounds and has therefore advised that it cannot take the matter forward. NEPP has confirmed that, without the appropriate support through the relevant process, it is also unable to progress a Traffic Regulation Order at this location.

Throughout our enquiries, it has also become clear that the Booking Hall Café is not the sole reason for vehicles parking along New Road. The road is also used by local residents, visitors to residents, people accessing the Flitch Way for recreation, and those attending events elsewhere in the village. It is therefore important that any future consideration of parking reflects all users of the area rather than focusing on a single destination.

The Parish Council has also held discussions with the Booking Hall Café regarding the concerns that have been raised. The café has been supportive and willing to engage with us. However, it is important to recognise that it cannot be held responsible for the way in which individuals choose to park on the public highway. Drivers are responsible for ensuring they park safely, legally and with consideration for other road users. The café has also confirmed that, should any appropriate traffic management measures be progressed in the future, it would support the Parish Council in improving highway safety.

Whilst this is understandably frustrating for both residents and the Parish Council, please be assured that we have pursued every avenue currently available to us and will continue to explore any future opportunities to improve highway safety should they become available. Should the position of either authority change, or a new route become available for progressing a scheme, the Parish Council will revisit the matter.

If you witness vehicles parked dangerously, particularly on the bend where visibility is reduced, Essex Police have advised that these incidents should be reported via 101, so that individual instances can be assessed and dealt with appropriately.

Thank you to everyone who has contacted us. We understand the concerns that have been raised and remain committed to working with the relevant authorities in the interests of highway safety for residents, visitors and all road users.

16/07/2026

Just over a week to go!

13/07/2026

‼️‼️Everyone should now be aware of the hosepipe ban in the area‼️‼️

The hottest spring on record and three heatwaves so far this summer are putting water supplies and river levels under significant pressure.

A Temporary Use Ban, also known as a hosepipe ban, is now in place for all customers across our region. These restrictions will help make sure there's enough water for homes, businesses and essential services, while protecting our local rivers and the environment.

Until these restrictions end, you can’t use a hosepipe (or anything attached to a hosepipe, like a pressure washer) for the following:

🏡 Watering your garden

🚗 Washing your car

💧 Cleaning your patio

💦 Filling swimming and paddling pools

You can still do many things you’d normally do with a hosepipe by swapping to a watering can or bucket instead.

For more information about the restrictions, FAQs and who is exempt visit https://brnw.ch/21x434O

11/07/2026

Rayne Parish Council office at the Community Information Point will be open in the morning on Monday 13th July (instead of the afternoon) from 9.30am til noon

01/07/2026

This afternoon, Cllr Hooks and Cllr Murton attended the latest Quarry Liaison Committee meeting to receive an update on progress at the quarry.

Overall, work is continuing broadly as planned and the site is now nearing the end of Phase 1.

Reinstatement of Phase 1A has been completed, although the final layer of topsoil is being held back until Phases 1B and 1C are finished, as machinery still needs to travel across the area.

Phase 2 has now been stripped, the archaeological excavation has been completed, and the team are awaiting the final reports.

Around 17,000 tonnes were produced last month, following 12,000 tonnes the previous month.

Dust and noise monitoring continue to remain within the required limits, with a further noise assessment taking place next week.

Over the winter, the quarry also carried out hedge replanting and infilling around the site entrance to improve screening.

One of the more interesting updates was the archaeological work. GEOEssex recently visited the site and were excited by some of the discoveries that have been made. Their leaflet and photos are attached if you would like to read more about the finds.

Photographs from today’s site visit are also attached, showing the current progress in the Phase 1 area.