after previous plans were heavily rejected. A ‘big conversation’ is planned by the council and wants to hear the views from locals on how they can spend the £335,000 active travel fund from government to upgrade its cycling and walking infrastructure. A public consultation will be held later this year and will include the opportunity to put forward ideas on how best to spend the grant. Everyone can submit their views both online and postal. A consultation earlier this year saw thousands of people respond to a number of proposed walking and cycling schemes. Residents heavily rejected two low traffic neighbourhoods in West Windsor and a bus gate on Shoppenhangers Road, Maidenhead.
Shoppenhanger Road
THE controversial low traffic neighbourhoods and bus gate schemes have been scrapped after thousands of residents said no. The Royal Borough council has announced both these plans will not go ahead after a majority of respondents to their four-week online consultation and those who attended a virtual town hall meeting were vehemently against it. The government awarded the council £335,000 in second tranche funding from the active travel fund – which is to improve walking and cycling routes in the borough. Plans for two low traffic neighbourhoods in West Windsor – which would involve road closures and modal filters at specific junctions – saw 2,221 responses with 90 per cent opposed to the proposal.
looks at introducing a bus gate. The council has launched a consultation on active travel measures and is asking residents their thoughts on multiple measures to improve cycling and walking routes across the borough and help address climate change. These plans will be paid for by the £335,000 grant given by the Department for Transport’s Active Travel Fund. One of the schemes includes introducing a bus gate outside Maidenhead railway station along the length of Shoppenhangers Road between Larchfield and Braywick Road in Oldfield ward – blocking off all traffic except for buses, bicycles, and hackney carriages. It also aims to prevent ‘rat running’ – areas used as cut-throughs to avoid traffic on the main roads.