Royal Borough will not join up with A4 cycle route

Alternative proposals to improve cycling facilities in Maidenhead are being drawn up by transport policy officers after the Royal Borough chose not to join up with the A4 cycle route.

The council was expected to be the third chunk of the cycle route along the A4 which is being created by Slough Borough Council and Bucks County Council, but after studies showed there would be a low value for money return, it was decided not to continue with the plans.

The money the council gained from the Local Enterprise Partnership for the project has been returned.

During discussions at the cycle forum on Monday, Gordon Oliver, principal transport policy officer at the Royal Borough, told members alternative ways to encourage cycling in Maidenhead are being looked at and are expected to be made public in the autumn ready for consultation.

He said: "We are looking at alternatives so we are spending money in the best way possible."

The Reform Road Industrial Estate is one area being looked at as a way to improve cycle access into the town centre from the A4, therefore avoiding roundabouts and main roads.

The meeting also noted that ways to run adult versions of 'Bikeability' and group-led cycle sessions are being looked at by the council in partnership with leisure centres in Maidenhead and Windsor.