Maidenhead & Windsor

Following widespread consultation with concerned local residents and discussions with ward members, a new traffic scheme to improve safety along the A308 Maidenhead Road in Windsor – including replacing the central lane with hatching - is to be implemented in the school summer holidays.

More than 500 homes and businesses along the Maidenhead Road and surrounding area were asked their views earlier this year on a package of road safety measures drawn up in response to four main ongoing concerns - speeding, accident levels, lack of crossing facilities and traffic congestion.

In response, residents gave the thumbs-up to plans for a traffic island near the Harvester public house, and the thumbs-down to plans to create a right-hand turn into the BP garage. However they were split 50-50 on removing the central lane between the Mill Lane roundabout and the junction of Vale Road and replacing it with hatching.

In a bid to resolve the stalemate, the borough introduced a two-week trial closure of the central lane in March to establish the effect of any possible reduction in lanes. Following this trial closure, an independent report recommended the removal of the central lane and the creation of hatching. Data collected during the trial period found that:
· the average speed of traffic was reduced by 10%
· but congestion in the morning peak times during school term time is only slightly increased.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for Maidenhead road safety explained: "The question of safety along this stretch of the Maidenhead Road has been a real issue for residents for some years now. We have listened carefully to the concerns of residents and at the end of last year we put forward several different proposals to try to resolve the situation.

"Residents responded positively to plans for another pedestrian crossing, but told us they did not want a right turn into the BP garage. Residents were divided equally on the issue of hatching – but the independent consultant recommended that we reduce the two lanes to one. Taking all these factors into consideration we had to very carefully balance the need for road safety with the potential for congestion when making our decision.

"Although there may be slightly more congestion in the morning peak, during term time, this is more than offset in the consultant's recommendation, and in my view too, by the significant improvements in safety.

"I would like to thank everyone who took the time and trouble to take part in our consultation earlier this year."

The scheme will be implemented during the Maidenhead school summer holidays and is expected to take about two weeks to complete.

For further information contact Vikki Lewis, acting traffic and road safety manager, on 01628 796283.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead