Heat risk: Advice for Cheltenham residents

As heatwaves, prolonged dry periods and fire risk, become increasingly common feature of British summers, Cheltenham Borough Council is taking proactive steps to ensure the town is ready to face the hot conditions. With record-breaking temperatures on the rise, the council is rolling out an array of strategies designed to keep residents safe and the local environment resilient.

While reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains essential, some climate change impacts are already being experienced and cannot be avoided entirely. Adaptation helps communities prepare for and manage risks such as heatwaves, flooding, drought and severe weather, helping to protect people, services, infrastructure and the local environment.

Heat poses risks to public health, particularly for:

older people
young children
people with existing health conditions
those living in poorly insulated homes
outdoor workers

For more information on things to do to cool someone down and heatstroke, please visit Heat exhaustion and heatstroke - NHS

Staying cool at home

While we all look forward to the summer seasons, homes can sometimes overheat (become uncomfortably hot) and everyone’s health can be at risk during periods of hot weather. A hot home can worsen existing health conditions and cause heat-related deaths.

To combat the heat, Cheltenham Borough Council advises residents to adopt simple but effective measures. To prepare your home for hot weather consider installing internal blinds, curtains, or external shutters to provide shade or cover to windows. Reduce heat generated in the home, turn off lights and electrical equipment that are not in use and consider cooking at cooler times of the day. For more information on how to keep cool at home, visit Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist - GOV.UK

If you are refurbishing your home, ask a home retrofit expert about advice for overheating at Furbnow, a service provided on behalf of councils in Gloucestershire.

Prolonged dry periods and wildfires

The recent extreme weather is having a severe impact on our environment and affecting water supplies and food production. Wildfires do not start themselves and most are caused by human activity. Wildfires can spread quickly and threaten homes and infrastructure, particularly during warm, dry weather.

Cheltenham Borough Council remind all residents and visitors that BBQ’s, campfires and any open fires are strictly prohibited in all town parks, including Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common. This request is particularly important at Leckhampton Hill and Charlton Kings Common which are both notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and designated as a National Nature Reserve. These protected landscapes support valuable habitats and wildlife which are highly vulnerable to fire damage in prolonged dry conditions.

Actions to take if you see a wildfire:

Move to a safe location away from the fire.
Call 999 immediately, do not assume someone else has already reported it. Use the Ordnance Survey app or what3words to give an accurate location
Do not attempt to tackle the fire yourself or travel to the area.

Severn Trent is asking customers to reduce water use. Although there is not a hosepipe ban, making simple changes will help keep supplies flowing. These include using a watering can instead of a sprinkler, letting lawns recover naturally, reusing water from paddling pools on to plants, and running washing machines and dishwashers with full loads. These small actions can save millions of litres of water and help protect supplies for communities and the environment.

Climate change mitigation and adaptation

Cheltenham’s commitment to climate resilience is reflected in its 2030 action framework, which supports the council’s ambition to achieve net zero carbon emissions from its own operations by 2030 while also improving resilience to climate risks. This includes investment in climate-resilient infrastructure such as sustainable urban drainage systems and supporting the development of the Tree Strategy.

Cheltenham Zero is an initiative from Cheltenham Borough Council to drive local businesses, community groups, and charities to achieve net zero. Over the years, Cheltenham Zero has distributed grants of over £230,000 from 2020 to 2026 to support decarbonisation within the borough.

As Cheltenham navigates these climatic shifts, the council remains committed to safeguarding its community and environment. With a blend of practical advice and strategic planning, Cheltenham is not only mitigating climate risks but also building a town that adapts in the face of change.

Councillor Richard Pineger, cabinet member for the climate emergency, said: “For many years the council's focus has been on reducing emissions, but I think that we're all starting to recognise that changes to our climate are real and they're happening now.

“Adapting to our changing weather has become increasingly important. If you live or do business in Cheltenham then please consider how you might prepare for hotter summers and lower rainfall. These changes are affecting all of us; our health, our homes and the nature around us. My hope is, that if we can work together, it will help us find comfort as we adapt to the new normal.”

For press enquiries contact: communications@cheltenham.gov.uk, 01242 264231

Find out more about Cheltenham’s climate risk and vulnerability assessment here.

Heat risk: Advice for Cheltenham residents

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