Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hollingsworth and Luxton, Daniel Gigg and Vikki Roberts.

The Chairman of the Forum, Angela Clark, welcomed the Forum to the meeting and proceeded to Chair the meeting.

The Chairman advised the Forum that the meeting was to be audio recorded as this was the policy of RBWM for all public meetings.

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 7 September 2015 be approved.

To receive a verbal update from Vikki Roberts.

Gordon Oliver, Principal Transport Policy Officer, gave the Forum an update on the Stafferton Way link. He explained that there had been a delay in the work since many pipes had been discovered and needed to be dealt with. Gordon Oliver explained that the road would be operational, open to the public by Christmas, however, the traffic signals would still take longer. Gordon Oliver explained that a new pedestrian crossing was being put in. The Chairman enquired about the speed limit by Lidl and Homebase. Gordon Oliver thought it was 30mph but would check and confirm to the Forum.

Lynne Penn, Transport and Access Team Leader, asked if the footway through the tunnel on Oldfield Road was wide enough and it was confirmed that it was. Lynne Penn advised the Forum that bus routes would be running once all the work was completed.

The Chairman asked about the access on to the A4 Bath Road and was told that the roundabout was being put at the junction. The existing crossing by the shops would remain and a further split crossing would be put at Lascelles Road.

To receive verbal update from Daniel Gigg.

Lynne Penn, Transport and Access Team Leader, gave an update on behalf of Daniel Gigg. There was no specific news and everything was on target according to the time frames.

The entrance of the car park, off the Broadway was agreed but the layout and entrance into the shopmobility facility was still to be submitted for approval.

Councillor Love informed the Forum as the Principal Member of Maidenhead Regeneration that the council was working with a developer as a major land owner however another developer had objected and now the process would take at least twelve months to go to the EU proceedings. The second major developer had a very good vision for Maidenhead with some exciting plans ahead. The new owners of Nicholsons Centre had also got some exciting plans to increase footfall.

To receive a verbal update from Gordon Oliver.

Gordon Oliver updated the Forum on three points:

•           Maidenhead Station

•           CrossRail work over Christmas

•           Consultation on SouthWest trains franchise

1.         Maidenhead Station

Negotiations have taken place with the land owners on either side of station but there seems to be limited opportunities in the short term. The first designs would be available in January 2016 and a parallel project was also taking place with Network Rail who were looking to extend the Western rail link to Heathrow, this was known as the Henley Review.

2.         CrossRail work over Christmas

The roof slabs were being replaced at platform 5 and trees and edges been cut. The forecourt would be closed between the 22-31 December 2015 and no trains to and from Reading and London between the 24 – 28 December 2015, a replacement bus service would be running.

Action: Gordon Oliver to confirm that the bus services had suitable accessibility.

3.         Consultation on SouthWest trains franchise

From 2017, six stations from Windsor Riverside Station would be covered, seeking views on a better railway. The consultation document was online till 9 February 2017 and there were going to be many stakeholder events. Members could also send comments to Gordon Oliver to send on.

Action: Gordon Oliver to send link to consultation to Forum Members.

Councillor Love expressed concern about the car parking spaces. He informed the Forum that by 2026, one thousand car parking spaces would be available. Also there may be up to 20 trains an hour, that would be four minutes per train, that would be 80 minutes. He asked how this could be possible. He advised that it was only supposed to be a 10% increase. He informed the Forum that either side of the station wanted to develop but didn’t want to work together.

Gordon Oliver advised that the Shoppenhangers side of the station was being increased so there would be an easier flow of people to exit the station. The companies involved were trying to maximise everything they already had there.

Jim Sloan asked about the impact on parking this would have at the station. Gordon Oliver informed the Forum that a proposal was submitted with Great Western to deck Shoppenhangers area but this would be very costly, hence parking was being looked at Stafferton Way. A number of actions were being considered.

Jim Sloan was more concerned about the disabled bays and accessibility. Gordon Oliver explained that they were currently working on the left of platform 1 which was not used much at present.

To receive a verbal update from Angela Clark.

Angela Clark gave an update that this was work in progress and would update the Forum when there was further news.

To receive a verbal update from Jim Sloan.

Jim Sloan gave an update on the junction and explained that since Councillor Hollingsworth was unwell, Councillor Gilmore was acting in his place.

Points discussed included:

•           Looking at redesigning the crossing.

•           Narrow pavements causing unclear vision of traffic.

•           Parking of hospital visitors and staff making junction even busier.

•           Vision unclear for wheelchair users.

•           Many issues that need addressing since the junction is a really busy junction.

•           The best way to move forward was to get Ward Councillors involved and now they were involved, things were progressing.

•           An additional crossing is required.

Councillor Love highlighted that the garage in that location was a real issue. There had been many complaints about the garage. The garage were still parking cars along the road for long periods making it very dangerous. A good solution would be to restrict the parking along that road to three hours so that no long term parking would be possible.

Action: Forum to write to the Lead Member, Colin Rayner, about conducting a feasibility study.

To receive a verbal update from Lynne Penn.

Lynne Penn, Transport and Access Team Leader, informed the Forum about  pavement parking in the Pedestrians Bill. Lynne Penn explained that it was an offence to cause an obstruction to pedestrians and the bill would allow councils to ban parking on pavements. There would be exemptions in place. The main control would be with the council.

Lynne Penn would keep the Forum updated on all progress.

To receive a verbal update from Tim Clare.

Tim Clare informed the Forum that in Windsor, wheelchair users in larger vehicles, could only use the outside car parks, the Riverside car park is the most suitable. However, Tim Clare had parked his larger vehicle in a normal parking space since all disabled parking spaces were full. He received a parking ticket as the vehicle was parked over the bay lines.

Tim Clare advised that there should be more disabled bays and on street parking. There are disabled parking bays on Victoria Street but the driver side was on the road side which was not suitable for disabled drivers.

Jim Sloan suggested speaking to the parking attendants. Lynne Penn suggested that the Forum should make a representation to the Parking Enforcement of all the restrictions currently in place, explaining that normal parking bays are a lot smaller than the disabled ones.

Action: Forum to write to the Parking Enforcement team.

To receive a verbal update from Gordon Oliver.

Gordon Oliver updated the Forum on a current consultation that was taking place. The consultation is going to be running till 20 December 2015 on the website. Both junctions are currently signalised on what can we do to ease congestion..

There are currently two options, to get rid of the signals or put in roundabouts. The two signals were not working together.

Tim Clare reminded the Forum that the route was used by many events and it would be a great idea to work with the event organisers.

The Access Advisory Forum will meet at 11am in the Council Chamber, Maidenhead Town Hall, on 7 March 2016.

The Forum noted the following dates for the next meetings of the Access Advisory Forum:

•           7 March 2016