Councillor Colin Rayner gave Members an update on highways improvements to Winkfield Road / Imperial Road.  It was noted that an announcement had been made at Full Council that the Planning Team were to consult all residents and users of Imperial Road and Clewer Road junction area. 

Members were informed that the scheme options were for alternative methods of junction control, to endeavor to deal more effectively with the existing volumes (and possible future traffic growth) and reduce queuing between the junctions and on the approaches.

It was noted that queuing at both junctions could be experienced during the regular commuter peaks. However, it was during the summer months and on busy days for the local visitor attractions that the greatest queuing tended to occur.  Members were informed that the traffic signals were able to make decisions using vehicle detection equipment to adjust the phasing times on a real time basis in order to respond to varying flows on each arm.  It was noted that where heavy traffic persisted over an extended period of time, the limited physical space available and the need to serve numerous movements, could lead to gridlocking of the junctions.  This was particularly the case during the summer, where queues could extend back towards the M4 at junction 6.

Members were informed that there were two options currently being suggested which could be found on the RBWM website:

Option A:

•        Small roundabout at Imperial Road / St Leonard’s Road junction.

•        Clewer Hill Road traffic to give way at Winkfield Road with a ‘no right turn’ restriction from Clewer Hill Road (traffic can use new roundabout to turn or seek alternative route).

•        Longer length of right turn lane into Clewer Hill Road.

•        Tighter radius on kerb for left turn into Clewer Hill Road to improve safety and offer increased turning opportunities for traffic to turn right into Clewer Hill Road and left out of Clewer Hill Road.

Option B:

•        Mini-roundabout at Winkfield Road / Clewer Hill Road junction.

•        Priority from Imperial Road into St Leonards Road west and east.

•        Priority from St Leonards Road western arm into Imperial Road.

•        St Leonards Road (east arm) to give way at Imperial Road with a ‘no right turn’ restriction also in place (traffic can use new mini-roundabout to turn or seek alternative route).

•        St Leonards west to St Leonards east to be served using long right turn lane.

It was noted that traffic modelling had been carried out over the summer and that the traffic lights had been manually operated over the summer months. 

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

•           That the Town Partnership, local businesses and the Town Forum would be consulted as part of the public consultation.

•           That the two traffic light systems were different makes and therefore did not communicate effectively with each other.

•           Councillor John Bowden requested that the residents living in close proximity to the junctions (e.g. those on Winkfield Road, Clewer Hill Road, etc) be written to personally to inform them of the works.  Councillor Colin Rayner confirmed that local residents would receive a letter and a leaflet notifying them of the options.  It was noted that it had also been requested that a resident’s sub-committee be created so that local views could be voiced.

•           That after the consultation period it would be brought back to Full Council in the New Year. 

•           It was hoped that the installation works would be completed by early spring (avoiding Bank Holiday weekends).

•           That no venue or date had been set yet for the public consultation but that the press would be informed and notices / posters put up once these details had been confirmed.  It was noted that a two page article would also be placed in the Around the Royal Borough newsletter.

•           That people who were unable to attend the public consultation would be able to comment via a website.

•           Councillor Shamsul Shelim explained that he found the traffic in the Bracknell / Bagshot to the M4 area to be congested and stated that he felt an option to divert traffic would need to be found. 

•           That if the option decided upon did not work the Council would ensure enough funds were available to change the junction back to its former state. 

•           That these options were not for Legolands benefit but to ease the traffic in general.

•           That the traffic lights installed in 2006 was not part of a Council led scheme.

•           That it was believed that if the traffic flow could be improved it would in turn have a positive effect on pollution levels.

•           That there would be a period of 3-4 weeks of traffic getting used to the new scheme.

•           That signage with regard to the new scheme would be needed in the Royal Borough.

•           That details about the public consultation could be found at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/highways_consultations.htm .

The Chairman thanked Councillor Colin Rayner for the update.