THE second-in-command at a council has hit out at deeply controversial scheme for an experimental road closure.

Slough Borough Council is to go ahead with the closure of Station Road, Burnham, despite a 5,300 signature petition and recommendations from its own overview and scrutiny panel against the move.

Now, Councillor Nick Naylor, deputy leader and cabinet member for sustainable development at South Bucks District Council, has also hit out at the plan.

Cllr Naylor said: “I am extremely concerned that Slough Borough Council has failed to consult with South Bucks District Council, the parishes of Burnham and Taplow and the residents who will undoubtedly be affected by this road closure. Making a decision of this scale without first listening to resident and councillor concerns or prior public consultation is setting a dangerous precedent for the future.

“Whilst this closure is experimental I have no doubt that it will cause considerable disruption to people trying to access both the A4 and M4 from Burnham. I cannot see how this proposal will work in practice and I call on Slough Borough Council to have a re-think.”

The idea of the scheme is to close Station Road, at the Burnham Railway Station bridge, to all vehicles north and southbound, though it will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists. The closure comes at the junction of Station Road with Burnham Lane where they form a triangle outside the entrance to of the station.

The closure, to make room for a multi-million pound railway station improvement scheme, was due to begin this week.

The council has said the closure would be abandoned after the trial period if it is deemed unsuccessful.