Maidenhead subways to close for makeovers

Two underpasses are being given makeovers and two more will be cleaned and renovated in a £190,000 regeneration of the town centre's subways.

The tunnels in Town Moor and St Cloud Way will be transformed with specially commissioned artworks.

Artist David Ward has designed a piece called Cascade for the Town Moor subway.

The commission will see 1,000 mirrored discs being installed along the walkway, accompanied by lighting improvements.

David explained that the walls will be painted in shades of green to reflect the area's association with landscape.

He said: "I wanted to draw a parallel between the flow of the river beneath Maidenhead’s bridges and the flow of pedestrians through the underpass."

The Town Moor subway will be shut from Monday, March 24 until Friday, May 9 to allow for the work.

The St Cloud Way underpass will be closed from Monday May 26 until Saturday May 31 for its refurbishment. The commission is a collaboration between visual artist Emma Ryan, sound artist Simon Fielder and Art on the Street.

Art on the Street's Marie-Anne Leonard explained that the piece consists of laser-cut steel panels depicting trees, and will be accompanied by an audio piece of familiar Maidenhead noises and less recognisable sounds.

Marie said: "The two combined reflect the period of change that Maidenhead is experiencing - extensive redevelopment and the familiar sights of steel fencing and construction work, whilst reminding us that close by are beautiful green spaces that we can all enjoy."

The Royal Borough's cabinet member for highways and transport, Geoff Hill, said that the designs are 'exciting', and that underpasses should be 'non-threatening, family friendly environments.'

The Royal Borough added that the subways in Frascati Way and West Street are also in line for renovation, cleaning, repairs and lighting improvements, although no date has been confirmed for these repairs.