A BUS station walkway will be closing to pedestrians for 12 months.

The walkway - which the Slough Borough Council said was only ever meant to be temporary - runs between the tail of Slough Bus Station and the A4 and will close from tomorrow evening for a year.

The closure of the walkway is to facilitate the construction of the first of three large buildings by U+I - previously known as Development Securities - including underground car parking facilities.

Construction had been expected to start around the time of the bus station build; however, due to the recession the programme was put on hold until now.

A new pedestrian walkway has been built around the edge of the hoarded site and into the bus station along the bus exit route with new barriers protecting the pedestrian area.

The hoardings will be lit and cctv will overlook the area to increase pedestrian safety.

At the end of the building’s construction a new direct walkway will be installed on the site of the original between the tails of the bus station and the A4.

Savio DeCruz, team leader for network management, said: “Unfortunately due to the recession the buildings on this corner of the Heart of Slough were not constructed at the same time which means people have become used to the temporary walkway which will now be closed.

“We have been working closely with U+I and the main contractor to ensure the new temporary walkway is safe, well lit and well covered by cctv to make sure pedestrians are safe and feel safe while the construction work continues.”

He added: “The U+I buildings are a welcome addition to this part of the Heart of Slough and are a key part of our plans to revitalise the centre of Slough area and bring even more business investment into Slough – two of the priorities of the council’s five year plan.”