Maidenhead & Windsor

The Maidenhead Royal Borough has scored a major success by helping to persuade Crossrail to change or abandon controversial elements of its construction plans in Maidenhead.

As a result of constant lobbying and just as Maidenhead council was about to continue to give evidence to the parliamentary select committee yesterday (Tuesday July 18), Crossrail announced it would make significant concessions in favour of the borough.

This means that:

* Guards Club Island Bridge will NOT be used in connection with the construction work – barges on the river will be used instead to deliver materials and access the works
* Guards Club Park will NOT be used to site the contractors' depot – they will use land owned by Railtrack instead.

And, in a major turn-around, Crossrail has agreed to help with site acquisition and provide part-funding for a new multi-storey car park at Maidenhead station to provide additional parking spaces. Prior to the council's representations, Crossrail had maintained that more parking provision would be unnecessary.

The borough had submitted substantial evidence in support of its petition to parliament about the lack of sufficient parking and interchange facilities in the proposed Maidenhead station redevelopment and also objecting to the proposed worksite at Guards Club Park and the use of the island and footbridge for access.

Cllr Antony Wood, lead member for traffic and transport, said he welcomed the climb-down on parking with open arms.

He said: "This was a disaster waiting to happen if the parking issue had not been sorted. Crossrail had its head in the sand when it maintained that this £12 billion scheme would not result in more passengers in Maidenhead with all their attendant parking needs.

"However, yesterday's announcement just as the council was about to give evidence to the select committee, shows that Crossrail has done a reality check – and it is vindication of the council's view that current parking provision could not cope with future demand. This is an excellent result."

Maidenhead Cllr Vicky Howes, lead member for planning, said the news was like having Christmas in July.

She said: "There has been strong local opposition to a number of the construction proposals, particularly using the conservation area at Guards Club Park as a builders' depot and the use of the historic listed footbridge to transport equipment to the railway viaduct.

"This is an amazing turnaround by Crossrail and it demonstrates what can be achieved when the council works with, and on behalf of its community, to put forward views held strongly by local people. A great deal of hard work has gone into this issue, including by the civic society and individual residents. I would also like to thank the council's planning policy manager, Peter Hitchen, whose input has been phenomenal."

Cllr Mary Rose Gliksten, council leader, commented: ""Crossrail has the potential in ten years' time for bringing tremendous benefits to Maidenhead – if it is handled properly. The council's job is to ensure that the needs of our residents are met and, as yesterday's announcement shows, we are already having considerable success. We will continue to keep a very close watch on Crossrail proposals and act in the best interests of our residents."

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead