Maidenhead & Windsor

How Maidenhead's streets could look in the years ahead is unveiled this week and the call has gone out to local people to put their stamp on the future appearance of their town centre.

Late last year a panel showing different kinds of paving was installed in Maidenhead High Street and now specially-designed examples of street furniture - a bench, litter bin, signpost, cycle stand, bollard and information panel - are being added to complete the picture.

This signals the launch of a public consultation - Your Town Your Choice - that aims to get people's views so that when the time comes to upgrade town centre streets as part of the Maidenhead rejuvenation programme they will be enhanced with paving and furniture that local people can really call their own.

The paving sample offers a range of different stone, colours and textures. The furniture incorporates the traditional colour of 'Maidenhead blue' and has been designed with clear, clean lines to give an uncluttered look and make for easy pedestrian movement.

Bob Dulson, independent chairman of PRoM (Partnership for the Rejuvenation of Maidenhead), said: "Paving and street furniture will be important elements of the future plans for Maidenhead's rejuvenation. They can make the town feel more distinctive and welcoming - and help to bring economic benefits too."

Cllr David Burbage, Conservative leader of the Windsor and Maidenhead council and PRoM member, said: "The 'look and feel' of our town in the future will depend on decisions taken at this stage of the process. It's important for local people get involved and help choose the design and materials they want - designs that will unify the town centre and make it 'distinctly Maidenhead' On their own, changing the furniture and paving won't attract new shops and businesses but, as part of the overall regeneration programme, they will be an important component."

Cllr Simon Werner, leader of the Windsor and Maidenhead opposition Liberal Democrat group and PRoM member, said: "Drawings and artists' impressions are all very well but there's nothing to beat seeing the real thing to give us a picture of how things could look in the future. This is a great initiative - a true 'ask the people' exercise in which local views really will count."

A key part of the samples project is to test which paving can best withstand the daily pounding of thousands of feet and to ensure the furniture is of durable materials that are easy to maintain or repair.

The samples of paving and street furniture are part of an overall Public Realm Strategy for Maidenhead, which aims to build on the town's identity and promote it as a safe, friendly, inviting place to be.

The sample paving panel was installed at a total cost of less than £14,000, with the prototype furniture around £40,000. The materials chosen as a result of the consultation will be used throughout the town centre as part of the regeneration programme when funds become available and/or as part of development schemes.

Leaflets explaining the consultation will be widely available across the Maidenhead area in the Town Hall, libraries, leisure centres and in the Nicholsons Shopping Centre. Information will also be on the council's website www.rbwm.gov.uk

Comments and ideas are essential and can be sent in by emailing prom@rbwm.gov.uk; by writing to Quality Streets, Freepost RLYH-SHYR-JUXJ, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead SL6 1RF (no stamp necessary) or by calling 01628 796128

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead