Town centre regeneration plans approved by borough cabinet

Proposals to spend nearly half a million pounds on regenerating Maidenhead town centre were approved by Cabinet last night.

Councillors gave their approval to plans for £481,000 to be spent on schemes including new lighting and paving, as part of the Maidenhead Town Centre Rejuvenation Project.

The plan suggests £90,000 is spent on lighting town centre features including the Boy with the Boat statue.

Up to £188,000 will also be spent on paving, including in a priority area in the High Street between the Queen Street junction and McDonalds.

Cllr Simon Dudley, lead member for adult and community services, said much was being done in Maidenhead to make the town more vibrant, but said there was still some way to go.

Cllr Christine Bateson (Con, Sunningdale) added that it was great to see cranes up in Maidenhead, transforming the town centre into an exciting place.

Projects in progress include a £20,680 plan to light up the Jubilee Clock Tower, which has already been funded and is due to be finished in September.

Completed schemes include tree planting in the town centre, which cost almost £55,000, and a trial paving area between the High Street and Kidwells Park, which cost £189,125.

The 2012/13 budget will include cash carried over from last year and if it is approved a total of £1,303,748 will have been allocated for the rejuvenation project since 2010.

In 2010/11 and 2011/12, £645,748 was spent and £177,000 has already been committed for 2012/13.