THE SECOND phase of a controversial scheme to deliver a rapid bus service from Slough Trading Estate to Langley launched last week.

Despite objections from neighbours during the planning process, planning chiefs allowed sections of the A4 to be widened to pave the way for new bus lanes.

The two-phase scheme will link Slough Trading Estate to Junction 5 of the M4 and phase two extending out to Heathrow.

Neighbours voiced concerns over loss of trees, more tarmac not enhancing the look of the area, an increase in the number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), more noise, loss of open space and an added risk to pedestrians.

Speaking at the time, Roisin Holden, said: "I’ve lived on London Road for 36 years and I’ve never once seen a need to widen the road.

“It’s the only really attractive gateway into Slough, the road is not in need of such drastic measures.

"Money should be spent on traffic calming measures.”

However, councillors ruled the project should be given the green light and work on the SMaRT (Slough Mass Rapid Transit) scheme launched in May.

The second part of the £8m project began on Monday November 7, and will see a stretch of the eastbound carriageway of the A4 reduced to one lane to allow work on the grass verges until December 23.

And from the first week of December, a short section of the service road - not the A4 itself - outside 230-224 Bath Road will be completely shut.

Councillor Fiza Matloob, commissioner for transport and highways, said: “The SMaRT scheme is going to provide a fantastic service for residents.

“During peak travel times, six buses per hour will run from O2 to Langley, with four during the off-peak. It will transform bus travel along this main route, while helping to reduce congestion and pollution.

“We appreciate nobody likes roadworks – we don’t either. But we can’t make these improvements without causing some inconvenience. However, we’ve tried to keep disruption to a minimum by doing the work when the roads are quieter.”

How have you been effected by the latest closures? Let us know by emailing newsroomslough@berksmedia.co.uk