PLANS for a new £5.6m scheme to improve transport links in Slough have been approved.

Slough Borough Council will receive the money as part of Slough Mass Rapid Transit (SMaRT) scheme to improve links on the A4, providing a rapid bus service and upgrades to junctions.

The plans were approved by the Berkshire Local Transport Board (BLTB) at its meeting yesterday (Thursday), allowing the tendering process to begin.

The council will receive £3.6m of government investment in 2015/16, with a further £2m the following year, as part of the deal first announced on July 7.

Savio De Cruz, head of transport for Slough Borough Council, said: “Improving transport links is vital to the economic health of Slough and I’m pleased there is a commitment from the Government to fund such schemes.

"The A4 is used by thousands of commuters and businesses each day and is a vital transport corridor linking Maidenhead, Slough and Heathrow.

“SMaRT will vastly improve bus journey times, making a major contribution to reducing road congestion and increasing economic efficiency.” Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (TVBLEP) has been allocated £96.9m in total as part of a deal to support economic growth in the Thames Valley, all but £2.3m of which is for transport schemes.

Part of this funding has been provisionally allocated for road widening schemes in Windsor Road and Tuns Lane towards the M4.