New road layout set to be trialed

[RBWM Press Release]

Motorists will be given the chance to trial a new road layout in Maidenhead town centre.

From Monday 1 July the new two-way system which will allow Broadway (Nicholsons) car park users to turn left or right when exiting the car park will open, giving users time to get used to the new permanent layout before a trial closure of the right-hand turn from the Queen Street junction begins on Monday 8 July for two weeks.

The option to trial the new arrangements at Queen Street was announced at Maidenhead Town Forum, held on Monday 17 June and follows initial engagement with residents and other stakeholders. Following the trial a final decision on the Queen Street junction proposal will be made at Maidenhead Town Forum to be held on Wednesday 24 July.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, lead member for infrastructure, transport and housing said: “We promised residents that we would listen to their views and we hope that this trial of the new proposed arrangements at the Queen Street junction is a clear signal of that.

“Allowing residents to begin using the new system on The Broadway ahead of the Queen Street trial will ensure everyone has an opportunity to get used to the new arrangements before putting our assumptions around the Queen Street junction to the test.

“We will also be directly contacting the emergency services including Thames Valley Police, South Central Ambulance Service and Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service to ensure they are sited on the Queen Street proposals before any final decision is made.

To ensure that those who park underneath Star House (Three building) are not impacted, a new two-way system is being implemented in these car parks. Subject to completion of the legal agreement, its hoped that these works will be complete before the Queen Street trial goes live, meaning that those who use these car parks will be able to choose to exit via Broadway or on to the A308 via the existing exit.

The new road layout on the Broadway, which was installed earlier this year, will mean that those exiting the Broadway (Nicholsons) car park will no longer need to travel through the town centre to access the A308, A4 or M4. Instead they will be able to turn right as well as left when leaving the car park and then turn left or right to join the A308.

It’s expected that this change will reduce number of cars accessing the A308 via the Queen Street junction by 75% during peak hours, therefore reducing the number travelling through the town centre. It’s hoped that this move will also help improve air quality in the area and reduce congestion.

Cllr Johnson continued: “The permanent change on The Broadway will give those leaving the Broadway (Nicholsons) car park a more direct route to the A308, A4 or M4 and reduce the number of cars needing the travel through the town centre helping to improve air quality in key town centre locations, as well as helping to distribute peak time traffic more evenly across the town, reducing congestion.”

Residents are able to give their views in the Queen Street proposals until Monday 22 July by completing the online form.