I’m sure everyone is very much aware of the extreme heat we’re experiencing today and tomorrow. 

Whilst we are used to fluctuating temperatures during our British summers, the heatwave this week is unprecedented. Following the Met Office red weather alert on Friday we’ve been sharing information and advice on how to stay cool and keeping hydrated. 

For some people, particularly the vulnerable, the extreme heat can be dangerous. We have several ‘cool spaces’ open for people to keep cool and out of the heat. Even though these places are available to all, we ask that you offer these to anyone vulnerable first, and only to come if it is safe to travel to these buildings. Buildings include some of our libraries and leisure centres, the full list is below.

Building Name	Building Address	Opening Times
Sandy Library	Market Square, Sandy, SG19 1EH	Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Stotfold Library	Hitchin Road, Stotfold, SG5 4GP	Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 1pm
Shefford Library	High Street, Shefford, SG17 5DD	Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Leighton Buzzard Library	Leighton Buzzard Library, Ground Floor Library Building, Lake Street, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1RX.	Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Dunstable Library	The Dunstable Centre, Court Drive. Dunstable, LU5 4JD	Saturday: 9 to 4pm Sunday: 9 to 4pm Monday to Friday: 9 to 6pm
Dunstable Leisure Centre	The Dunstable Centre, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4JD	Saturday: 7am to 7pm Sunday: 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10-pm
Flitwick Leisure Centre	Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1TH	Saturday: 8am to 8pm Sunday: 7am to 9om Monday to Friday: 6am to 10:30pm
Houghton Regis Leisure Centre	Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5PY	Saturday: 8am to 6:30pm Sunday: 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday: 6:30am to 10pm
Sandy Sports Centre	Engayne Avenue, Sandy, SG19 1BL	Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Saxon Leisure Centre in Biggleswade	Saxon Drive, Biggleswade, SG18 8SU	Saturday: 7:30am to 6pm Sunday: 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre	Mentmore Drive, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2AF	Saturday: 7am to 7pm Sunday: 7:30am to 9pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm

We’re also in close contact with colleagues in the NHS to ensure we share information such as making use of the NHS 111 service to help keep the pressure off the hospitals. 

The heat is also impacting some of our services. This week, our bin crews will be out a little earlier so that they too can avoid the extreme heat later in the day and we’ve been rearranging our roadworks schedule so we are only carrying out small-scale fixes which require no tarmacking. 

During extreme heat, we work with Noah Enterprise, who support rough sleepers with severe weather advice, water, sun cream, and other resources. You can let us know someone is sleeping rough through the StreetLink app, on the phone (day) 0300 300 4370, on the phone (out of hours) 0300 300 8098. If someone sleeping rough appears seriously unwell and you think they may need urgent medical assistance, call 999.

We know some schools may need to close and headteachers will make this decision based on their facilities. Schools will let parents know directly if they close.  

There may be some disruption to public transport, so if travel is necessary, keep a careful eye on the real-time displays at bus stops and train websites.  If you do need to travel, take water with you and make use of local cool spaces if you need to. 

The extreme heat is only due to last a couple of days and everyone can help by checking in on vulnerable friends, relatives, and neighbours. 

For more information, links, and advice, visit the summer weather pages on our website.