Experimental road closures to be put in place

A local authority is putting in place two experimental road closures that could be made permanent if they prove popular.

Slough Borough Council is setting one up on Littledown Road, at its junction with Stoke Road, and another on the southern A4 Bath Road service road and its junction with A4 Bath Road opposite Leigh Road.

Both closures will be in place for at least six months.

An online survey will be made available from 19 May so that residents, commuters, and businesses can provide feedback on their effectiveness.

The council said the Littledown Road closure would improve road safety for the community and road users.

Access into Littledown Road will be available via Grays Road and Stoke Gardens.

The experiment is part of the Stoke Road corridor highway improvement works, supporting planned regeneration projects in the area.

The scheme, approved by the cabinet in 2019, introduced a reduction in vehicle speeds, resurfacing, and the installation of traffic signals to improve road safety.

Paul Kelly, lead member for housing, highways, planning and transport, said vehicles using Littledown Road to exit on Stoke Road "currently cross a pedestrian footway, which creates a hazard for pedestrians and cyclists".

The Bath Road service road closure is also being introduced to improve road safety, as well as support the A4 Bath Road cycleway project, improve connectivity, and reduce congestion, the council said.

Mr Kelly added: "Closing this access point would create a safer crossing for pedestrians and streamline traffic flow by removing a stage from the signalised junction.

"I would encourage those who use the service road to respond and share how the closure affects them."

Vehicle access to the service road will still be available via the junctions of Twinches Lane and Ipswich Road.

Work on both schemes begins on 5 May.

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