A PLANNED train depot as part of the HS2 rail project – that lead to an extremely controversial road closure pilot – has now been axed.

In 2015, the Department for Transport (DfT) and HS2 announced their intentions to build a train maintenance depot in Langley for the Heathrow Express service.

But at a Cabinet meeting of Slough Borough Council on Monday, it was announced that the project – after three years of wrangling – will now be cancelled.

The Department for Transport said: “A new depot is no longer required as the existing Great Western Railway depot to the west of Reading station will be used.

“The Langley depot is not needed as services will operate from the Reading depot.”

The council expressed delight at the announcement, although the decision means the loss of a £6.25 million compensation package they were due to receive. The council indicated that the land the depot would have occupied can now be used to provide housing, and much-needed car parking for Langley Station. The low availability of parking at the station has been of concern for many residents, who have been forced to suffer commuters parking up in residential streets surrounding the station.

Leader of the council, James Swindlehurst said: “I think they understand the consequences now, and are prepared to revisit other options – I think we’ve achieved a good result.”

During the meeting, councillors expressed frustration that they had originally suggested to HS2 in 2015 that it could maintain its trains in Reading, but these proposals had been shot down at the time.

Cllr Swindlehurst announced that the council had spent over £25,000 in legal fees fighting the proposed depot, and would now be appealing to the Secretary of State to get their costs reimbursed.

Cllr Swindlehurst said: “It’s only fair we get recompense for such a colossal waste of our time.”

The planning negotiations had lead to Chequers Bridge, between Hollow Hill Lane and Market Lane, being closed for six months back in 2016 as part of a study to see how traffic in the area would be affected. It led to traffic chaos for thousands of drivers as the area ground to a halt and was brought to an end quicker than had been intended.