PRESENT: Councillors Philip Love (Chairman), Charles Hollingsworth, Hari Dev Sharma, Claire Stretton and Derek Wilson.

Also Present: Councillors Geoff Hill, Richard Kellaway, Alan Mellins and Marion Mills. Phil Brady (Peter Brett Associates) and Bob Dulson (Civic Society).

Officers: Steph James, Tanya Leftwich and Ben Smith.


PART I

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None were received.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Councillor Charles Hollingsworth declared an interest in the agenda as he was on the Maidenhead Development Control Panel and a member of PRoM.

Councillor Philip Love declared an interest in the agenda as he was on the Maidenhead Development Control Panel and a member of PRoM.

Councillor Claire Stretton declared an interest in the agenda as she was on the Maidenhead Development Control Panel.

Councillor Derek Wilson declared an interest in the agenda as was the Chairman for the Maidenhead Development Control Panel and a member of PRoM.

MINUTES

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Forum held on 18 June 2013 be approved.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and informed everyone present that he had hoped for a better attendance.

UPDATE ON STAFFERTON WAY LINK ROAD

The Chairman explained to Members that he had been very pleased that residents had been consulted on the Stafferton Way Link Road. Members were informed that 309 residents had attended the three day consultation period and that when he had met with the Highways, Strategy and Traffic Manager, Ben Smith yesterday, he had been informed that some of the residents concerns could be modified. It was noted that the link road would help reduce congestion from the Railway Station and the Town Centre. The Chairman invited Ben Smith to address the Forum.

Ben Smith gave Members a short update presentation on the Stafferton Way Link Road.

The presentation covered the following areas:

• Location Plan.
• Funding.
• Oldfield Road and A4 Junction.
• Arches.
• Link Road and Bridge.
• Link Road and Bridge – Images.
• Programme.
• Consultation Periods.
• Consultation Headlines.
• Consultation Themes.

In the ensuing discussions the following points were noted:

• Councillor Philip Love informed the Forum that lorries were a concern to many residents, and that the special meeting to be held with the residents of Chauntry Road was most welcome.
• Ben Smith informed everyone present that the new road, bridge and junctions had been designed to accommodate HGV’s. However, their impact could be monitored and if found necessary, a scheme introduced to remove HGV access at a later date. It was noted that it should not undermine the scheme, but Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, informed Members that he would go back to the DfT to check that funding was not at risk if HGV access was removed from the project, as this was not raised at the funding bid stage.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, confirmed that there would be a raised kerb and pavement through the east archway and that the cycle way would be on the roadway.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, explained that whilst you could see through the east archway, the level of visibility was reduced, but it was hoped that this would help slow the traffic.
• Councillor Derek Wilson informed Members that his Oldfield residents had concerns about the A4 roundabout. It was noted that whilst this roundabout would generally be welcomed, it was felt that the give-way intersection (accessed from the roundabout) with Lassell Gardens should be closed. This would avoid vehicles driving the wrong way through the give-way onto the roundabout. The residents wanted to reduce traffic collision issues which currently occurred when people drove straight across this intersection.
• Councillor Derek Wilson went on to explain that his Oldfield residents would prefer a larger roundabout to be installed, as this is usually preferred by cyclists as it minimized accidents from occurring. The corners of Oldfield Road junction could be widened to achieve a larger roundabout by taking land near to the Miller Homes development and the corner plot near to the Farthingales.
• Councillor Derek Wilson informed Members that his Oldfield residents would welcome a pavement at the junction of the A4 & Oldfield Road, as it was a blind spot area and quite narrow for two way traffic flow. The Oldfield residents believed that the proposed traffic island (close to the Farthingales entrance) might need to be relocated.
• Members were informed that the Thames Reach Residents Association was very concerned about being able to get access onto Oldfield Road due to the increased traffic volumes.
• Members noted other concerns about the proposed mini roundabout on Chauntry Road to be that heavy vehicles would not be able to get around the roundabout without having to cut across it. It was suggested that a HGV weight restriction be put in place.
• It was suggested that with regard to traffic heading southbound, a physical ‘stop’ marking be put in the road (near to the mini roundabout). This would allow drivers to turn right from Chauntry Road safely.
• It was noted that there was a third archway could be opened-up to allow pedestrian access. However, this contained a ditch, which ran along the western part of Oldfield Road to the railway bridge. It was suggested by Councillor Derek Wilson that a pipe could be laid along the ditch and it covered over for a pedestrian footpath to be created. Currently, the ditch was currently under riparian ownership, the pipe would serve as drainage for surface water, instead of maintaining open ditches. It was requested that this idea be looked into as a future project.
• With regard to the new Link Road and Bridge residents had raised concerns about the height of the road.
• Councillor Philip Love suggested that a painted roundabout would help in Oldfield Road.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, explained that there would be a re-assignment of traffic from Bray Road to Stafferton Way and that Forlease Road was currently being used because traffic could not turn right onto Oldfield Road. Members were informed that this would change and that individual junction modeling would continue to be investigated as Phil Brady did not want traffic to back up and block the proposed roundabout.
• Ben Smith informed the Forum that it was not possible to get a fourth arm off the three armed roundabout at the junction of Oldfield Road / Stafferton Way and that an additional roundabout would need to be added which would in turn reduce landscaping opportunities.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, explained that one of the key reasons for introducing roundabouts was to break up the traffic flow and that on the Oldfield Road it would have to be a fine balance between the positives and the negatives of introducing a roundabout.
• Ben Smith explained that whilst some residents welcomed speed bumps/rumble strips and a lower speed limit to help with local concerns, there could be an issue of noise created by the speed bumps which meant that they would need to be carefully located.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, informed Members that a full transport assessment plan would be submitted with the planning application which was likely be considered by the Development Control Panel in March/April 2014.
• A concern about Oldfield Road (the area south of the bridge) was the width of the road and the width of the pavement. It was noted that the width of two HGV’s passing at the same time left a millimeter gap and that this road was currently used to get children to Oldfield Primary School.
• Phil Brady, Peter Brett Associates, explained that Oldfield Road could currently be used by two passing HGV’s, and whilst he may not be able to solve this issue as part of this scheme, there was scope to increase the footpath width along Oldfield Road.

The Chairman thanked the Highways, Strategy and Traffic Manager for addressing the Forum.

OUTLINE PROPOSITION AND DISCUSSION FOR A ONE WAY ACCESS INTO MOORBRIDGE ROAD FROM THE A4, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE BROADER MAIDENHEAD REGENERATION PRIORITIES AND OUR TRAFFIC TEAM WHO ARE DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE NEW TRAFFIC SIGNAL SCHEME AT THE ‘WAITROSE’ JUNCTION

The Chairman explained that he had requested this item to be on the Agenda, because not only would it help with the congestion on the Forlease Road roundabout, but it would change the present negative impression that the steel barriers gave to people driving towards Maidenhead from the Thames bridge, to a very pleasant visual view along Moorbridge Road to the High Street. He invited the Highways, Strategy and Traffic Manager, Ben Smith, to address the Forum.

The proposed plan for Moorbridge Road was projected onto the screen for everyone present to see. Ben Smith informed Members that he believed this to be a win/win situation and would benefit people wanting to get to Waitrose which currently resulted in increased traffic on the ‘police station’ roundabout. It was noted that if the Westbound link onto Moorbridge Road was opened up, it would take cars away from the roundabout and would also greatly improve impressions of Maidenhead as it would provide a welcoming sight. Members were informed that the Westbound link onto Moorbridge Road could be landscaped to highlight the Chapel Arches in the distance.

Members noted that this scheme could be looked at now and did not have to wait for the overall roads review.

In the ensuing discussions the following points were noted:

• Ben Smith informed Members that it would only be one-way traffic off the main road for a short distance and that the whole proposal would be subject to a road safety audit.
• Members were informed that this plan was not the final design as it was at the conceptual stage.
• Councillor Geoff Hill informed the Forum that he was very supportive of this scheme as Lead Member for Highways and Transport. It was noted that Councillor Geoff Hill had also requested that a cycle route from the A4 Bridge to the Town Centre be installed as part of the scheme.
• Members were informed that no funds had been allocated to this scheme yet.
• Councillor Philip Love suggested that Waitrose be approached to see if they would be happy to contribute to the scheme.
• A resident present suggested that the Waitrose junction lights be switched off after 8pm to help with the traffic flow.
• Councillors Marion Mills and Derek Wilson both informed the Forum that they too supported the scheme as it would both separate the traffic and also improve the eye view of Maidenhead.
• Councillor Geoff Hill informed Members that he would be putting in a capital bid to fund the scheme.
• Councillors Alan Mellins and Claire Stretton suggested that this scheme could be linked to the upgrading of the underpasses and second section of the Waterways Project.
• Bob Dulson, Civic Society, informed Members that he welcomed the scheme as it would help facilitate movement both into and around the town.
• The Chairman agreed to send an email of support to the Highways, Strategy and Traffic Manager on behalf of the Forum.

The Chairman thanked the Highways, Strategy and Traffic Manager for addressing the Forum.

UPDATE ON THE DESBOROUGH SUITE PROPOSALS

The Chairman invited Councillor Claire Stretton to address the Forum.

Councillor Claire Stretton informed Members that this morning the Council had appointed the DCA consultants to do a full consultation on how to make the best use of the Desborough Suite.

It was noted that a report would be presented to Cabinet in January.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Claire Stretton for updating the Forum.


DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Members noted that the date of the next meeting was Tuesday 18 February 2014 at 6.30pm and would be held in the Council Chamber, Town Hall, Maidenhead. It was noted that a special meeting may need to be arranged and held before February.

The Chairman requested that agenda item suggestions be emailed to the Clerk of the Forum.


MEETING

The meeting, which began at 6.30pm, ended at 7.55pm.