PLANS for a new rapid bus service along the A4 are due to get the go ahead on Monday (15).

The £5.6m scheme will involve widening of the A4 and upgrades to several junctions, with service roads through Slough Trading Estate turned into bus lanes.

Initial plans for the scheme – known as SMaRT (Slough Mass Rapid Transit) - were approved by the Berkshire Local Transport Board at their meeting on 24 July, after the government committed £5.6m for the project over the next two years.

Cabinet members will be asked to agree the initial plans, plus the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to acquire land required between 150-160 Bath Road.

Savio DeCruz, head of transport for Slough Borough Council, said: “Aside from the M4, the A4 is the main route joining Maidenhead, Slough and Heathrow.

“In peak times bus services using the A4 often get stuck in traffic. With improved capacity on the road, SMaRT will allow there to be a greater frequency of buses.

“For residents this means only having to wait 10 minutes for the next bus during peak times, rather than up to 18 minutes.

“For Slough as a whole, the scheme means less congestion and increased economic efficiency, making Slough an even more accessible and attractive place to do business.

“Less congestion also means less pollution and safer roads.” Councillor Sohail Munawar, commissioner for social and economic inclusion, said: “We have invested a lot in our transport infrastructure over the past few years, and the SMaRT project is yet another example of our commitment to reducing congestion, promoting sustainable transport methods and removing the barriers to economic growth.

“It’s good news for Slough and I look forward to seeing the plans take shape.” The scheme will cost an estimated £9.4m.

Slough Borough Council will receive £3.6m for the SMaRT project in 2015/16, with a further £2m to come the following year, with the additional costs expected to be funded by the council and contributions from section 106 agreements.

Residents are welcome to attend the cabinet meeting, which will take place at Chalvey Community Centre, The Green, Chalvey on Monday 15 September from 6.30pm.