Next stage begins on two major Slough transport schemes worth nearly £20m

The next stage of two multi-million-pound transport schemes covering Farnham Road and the A4 Bath Road is getting underway in Slough.

Destination Farnham Road includes a reduced 20mph speed limit through the main shopping area, a new off-road, two-way cycle route, upgraded crossings and new parking facilities.

Meanwhile, the A4 Cycle Lane project involves creating a two-way cycle lane between the A4 junctions with the Huntercombe Lane crossroads and Uxbridge Road.

The Department for Transport fully funded both projects, awarding £10.4m for the A4 Cycle scheme and £9.3m for Destination Farnham Road.

The A4 Cycle Lane project will involve creating a dedicated two-way cycle lane, approximately 2.5 metres wide, which goes the length of the A4 between its junction with the Huntercombe Lane crossroads and Uxbridge Road.

The work will involve improving junctions, resurfacing at accident-prone spots, upgrading traffic lights and pedestrian crossings, removing street clutter and landscaping.

It will also involve the addition of average speed cameras, following the limit reduction from 40mph to 30mph along the A4 in July last year.

The contractor, Volker, was expected to start initial site investigation works from today (Monday) with a limited impact on traffic.

This will be along the A4 (Huntercombe Lane crossroads and Uxbridge Road) and Farnham Road between Cumberland Avenue and A4 Bath Road. 

Works will then begin along the footpath near Bath Road Retail Park towards Dover Road and on Farnham Road between Whitby Road and its junction with A4 Bath Road/ Tuns junction from January 12.

Councillor Paul Kelly, lead member for planning, parking, highways and transport, said: “These works are vital to creating options for travel that are safer and more attractive for cyclists and pedestrians.

“The project will also lead to junction and signalling improvements, which will benefit drivers.

“The work will be completed in phases and there will be periods of disruption and delays, but truly this is the only chance Slough has got to make these major changes and improvements, as we simply could not afford to do it without this funding. 

“I urge residents to bear with us, and we promise to keep them updated with key dates and updates on each phase.”

The Destination Farnham Road scheme covers the stretch of A355 Farnham Road from its junction with Cumberland Avenue to its junction with the A4 Bath Road.

Most of the works will be centred around the shops between Cumberland Avenue and Sheffield Road.

It will include:

• a high-quality public space, and a reduced speed limit (20mph), through the main shopping area
• a new off-road, two-way cycle route, new parking facilities and upgraded bus stops
• upgraded roads and footways, new/upgraded signalised and unsignalised pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities and better street lighting along most of Farnham Road
• improvements to the park, and changes to the car park, at the junction of Sheffield Road
• widened advisory cycle lanes and further road improvements, along most of Sheffield Road
• a ‘cycle street’ along most of Furnival Avenue.

Future updates on the schemes will be added to a dedicated webpage on the council's website.