Royal Borough council pedals back on Maidenhead High Street cycling restrictions

Cabinet members gave the green light to amend a public space protection order (PSPO) to allow cyclists to use the pedestrianised part of Maidenhead High Street during certain times.

PSPOs impose restrictions or conditions on people using those areas.

In March last year, the Royal Borough approved the continuation of a PSPO for dog control and dog fouling; and one restricting cycling in pedestrianised areas for a further three years.

But at a cabinet meeting on Wednesday night, Cllr Richard Coe (Lib Dem, Riverside) explained that the administration is ‘really keen’ to encourage walking and cycling.

With this in mind, the authority has considered amending the PSPO, which bans cycling at all times in the pedestrianised zones of the High Street in Maidenhead and Peascod Street in Windsor.

A consultation was carried out to amend the PSPO to only apply from 10am to 5pm.

Cllr Coe said: “Having thought through this very carefully, we’ve decided that we are happy to give cyclists access to Maidenhead High Street during the same hours as vehicles.

This will mean that cyclists would be able to use the High Street between 5pm and 10am.

However, due to the individual circumstances in Peascod Street, Cllr Coe said the team wants to do ‘a bit more thinking’ about arrangements there’.

“So we'll be having a good think about it and come back to that maybe at a later date when we've got a solution as to how we feel we could do that safely,” he added.

The report recommended to ease the restriction in Maidenhead High Street for a period of 12 months but maintain it in Peascod Street for the time being.

The recommendation also included reviewing the PSPOs in 12 months and undertaking further consultation should a further variation be needed.

Cllr Helen Price (Ind, Clewer and Dedworth East) asked what the enforcement arrangements will be regarding this.

“I think I read in here that both the police are able to enforce it and our enforcement officers,” she said.

“Is that going to increase at the peak times when people tend to flout it?”

Cllr Coe said: “You're absolutely right to highlight the problem with enforcement.

“These orders can be enforced by the police or by our community wardens.

“Obviously in 2015 we were promised 36 community wardens and due to the financial crisis engineered by the people who promised the 36 committee wardens, we’re now down to less than half a dozen.

“So, you’re correct to say that enforcement is an issue and that’s something that we’ll have to pick up as the council recovers its finances.”

Cllr Mark Wilson (Lib Dem, Eton and Castle), said: “I think many people will know, I’m a very keen cyclist myself and keen to promote active travel for as many people who are as able.

“I think this is a very sensible conclusion to the consultation.

“There is clearly increased risk on Peascod Street with the slope in particular.

“I do want to note the very careful and high-quality responses to the consultation from the cycling groups and acknowledge those [and] also acknowledge that there were many other concerns raised [by] residents we need to take those into account.”

Cllr Wilson encouraged pedestrian, cyclists and drivers to ‘always be considerate’.

“[I'm] happy with the proposal. I think it's good to keep it under review, both the Maidenhead and Windsor

The recommendation to allow the amendment was agreed by cabinet.