Levelling Up Fund - Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway

Overview

This consultation is now closed

This consultation was an opportunity for people to have their say on the vision for this proposed scheme and provide some general feedback on how it could be improved, as we had not yet prepared detailed designs.

We asked people to tell us how they currently use this area and its facilities, to list any existing problems that need addressing, and to tell us about improvements they would like to see and any potential issues with our vision.

Their insight, feedback and views are important as they helped us to shape this proposed scheme, decide whether to submit the proposed scheme for our bid in July 2022, and to draw up detailed designs if we did.

We asked people to talk to their neighbours and the local community and get them involved!

Below are the details of the consultationm, which ran from 10 June to 30 June 2022.

This is the separate consultation page for the proposed Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway scheme, part of our proposed bid for Round 2 of the government's Levelling Up Fund (LUF2).

For background information on our proposed bid, and how the three proposed schemes in the bid link together, see Levelling Up Fund - Background Information.

Salt Hill Park is the borough's premier park and represents the borough's heritage. Yet the surrounding road space does not enhance this asset, with the southern park entrance leading onto the A4 Bath Road, a congested route that no longer complements the park.

Improving the Three Tuns junction, west of the park, connecting the green space, and seeing the spaces working together could help establish a sense of place. Introducing a coherent design, using existing and new materials and additional streetscape would create a Western Gateway experience leading into the Heart of Slough and unify the north and south sides of the town. This would help us to achieve a functionable urban realm that would improve the quality of, and access to, the park and its surrounding neighbourhoods.

Why your views matter

Figure 1: An artist's impression - possible changes for Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway

Image: BBLUR architecture

The A4 Bath Road between its junction with Tuns Lane and the town centre does not currently provide a welcoming experience for visitors. The dual-carriageway with a central barrier along most of its length separates the north side of the town from the south side. The narrow width of the combined footway / cycleway on the south side of the road is uncomfortable,  with potential for conflict, while on the north side of the road the park edge is underutilised and not defined as a gateway for the Heart of Slough when approached from the west.

Along the A4 Bath Road in this area are the Slough Ice Arena, Salt Hill Activity Centre and Salt Hill Park, Slough’s premier park, all of which offer a range of up-to-date facilities to Slough's community and visitors.

We want to:

• Improve the environment for pedestrians and cyclists along the A4 Bath Road between its junctions with Windmill Road and Ledgers Road / Stoke Poges Lane
• Improve the pedestrian and cyclist connection between the north and south sides of the A4 Bath Road, particularly in the area between the Slough Ice Arena and the entrance to Salt Hill Park near Windmill Road

• Improve the area between Claycots School (Town Hall Campus) and Salt Hill Park
• Create a Western Gateway approach experience, providing a visual and physical entrance to the Heart of Slough near Windmill Road
• Improve access for pedestrians and cyclists at all approaches of the Three Tuns junction

Figure 2: Vision for Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway

Concept: BBLUR architecture

This could be achieved by:

• Improving the public realm and streetscape

• Removing the central barrier from the dual-carriageway and making the area more attractive, with increased tree planting

• Widening the footways and cycleways

• Improving the existing crossing points, including at the junctions

Further information

If you would like further information to enable you to respond to the survey, or a copy of this information in another format or language, please:

• email us at TransportPlanning@slough.gov.uk, or
• write to us at Transport, Slough Borough Council, Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough SL1 2EL, or
• call us on 01753 475111 (asking for a message and your contact details to be passed to the Transport team)

Please state "Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway Consultation - Enquiry".

Please help us

This consultation is an opportunity for you to have your say on the vision for this proposed scheme and provide some general feedback on how it could be improved, as we have not yet prepared detailed designs .

Please tell us how you currently use this area and its facilities, list any existing problems that need addressing, and tell us about improvements you would like to see and any potential issues with our vision.

Your insight, feedback and views are important as they will help us to shape this proposed scheme, decide whether to submit the three proposed schemes for our bid in July 2022, and to draw up detailed designs if we do.

Please talk to your neighbours and the local community and get them involved!

How to respond

Please, if possible, give your views using the Online Survey form below:

If you are unable to use the online survey form, please instead give your views:

• by email to TransportPlanning@slough.gov.uk, or
• in writing to Transport, Slough Borough Council, Observatory House, 25 Windsor Road, Slough SL1 2EL

Please state "Salt Hill Park and Western Gateway Consultation - Response".

Please respond by 23:59 on Thursday 30 June 2022.

What happens next

Thank you for giving us your views. They will be kept anonymous and used to help us to prepare our bid to the Levelling Up Fund Round 2.

To give your views on the other two proposed schemes within the bid please see:

Farnham Road Public Realm

Farnham Road Bus Accessibility