Poyle Road: Experimental Northbound Width Restriction and Bus Gate Consultation

Overview

Overview

We consult residents, commuters, businesses, and stakeholders to understand what people think about proposed developments, changes to our roads and pavements, or other traffic-related issues.

For several years, Slough Borough Council has received feedback associated with HGV issues on Poyle Road and Bath Road (Colnbrook) from the Colnbrook with Poyle Parish Council. The main traffic-related issues are the perceived speed and volume of HGVs passing through the residential area along Bath Road (approximately between Poyle Road and Bath Road (Elbow Meadow) to the east).

We are now seeking your views on the experimental scheme.

Background

• As part of the Horton Road, DHL site was subject to a planning obligation contribution towards a local traffic scheme to narrow the Poyle Road in order to ensure that the issues associated with HGV movement in the area were not exacerbated further following the DHL site completion. The contribution was secured in May 2015, as part of the DHL site’s planning permission where local stakeholders would have been invited to make comments / representations at the time of it being reviewed by Slough Borough Council.
• A consultation exercise was undertaken in Autumn 2016, and the scheme was not well-received by the majority of respondents, (mainly businesses but also some residents) due to a number of issues: including the view that the scheme would result in increased traffic in the area (in particular at M25 Junction 14), and longer journeys for key business freight routes to Heathrow Airport. During the consultation process, a planning application for the quarry site was approved and this enabled the bus gate scheme to be relocated further south and redesigned.
• A further consultation with additional options to be delivered under an experimental traffic regulation order was undertaken in 2017. The implementation of the scheme was delayed due to delays with the S278 works and Covid-19, this increased participation in active travel amongst underrepresented groups.

The Poyle Road Width Restriction and Bus Gate Scheme aims to:

• divert HGVs to roads more suitable for their needs
• reduce issues currently experienced in the layby south of Mathisen Way
• ensure bus routes and journey times are not impacted
• improve road safety in the area
• ensure businesses and their operations are not affected
• improve air quality and reduce congestion, carbon emissions, and noise pollution by minimising HGV movements through predominantly residential areas.

The relevant Slough Borough Council policies are:

• Corporate plan

• Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan

• Low Emission Strategy
• Local Transport Plan

What are we proposing?

Our proposed design is to introduce an experimental northbound width restriction and bus gate on Poyle Road (South of Mathisen Way).

The scheme will be delivered through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) that will introduce a northbound width restriction, a bus gate northbound, new signage and an unrestricted southbound carriageway for all vehicles, including HGVs. HGV traffic would be able to enter the industrial estate via Bath Road and would have to exit via Horton Road.

The ETRO will be in place for not more than18 months with the consultation exercise undertaken in the first six months.

This plan shows the proposed design in more detail:

• Plan – Poyle Road northbound width restriction and bus lane

Why your views matter

Why your views matter

We want to know your views on the experimental Poyle Road northbound width restriction and bus lane scheme.

We now would like to receive your views on the experimental scheme. We will continue to collate and respond to the experimental Poyle Road northbound width restriction and bus lane scheme that preceded these amendments.

This consultation will start from 2^nd December 2024 under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order. The consultation period will end on 30^th June 2025.

To make your comments on the Experimental Poyle Road northbound width restriction and bus lane scheme, please go to the Consultation Hub where you will find the consultation document.