PLANS to close down a vital bridge have now received opposition from the neighbouring council.

Slough Borough Council has previously registered their objections to the closure of Chequers Bridge and Hollow Hill Lane by Network Rail, as part of their Western Rail Link to Heathrow project – and now, Buckinghamshire County Council has joined them.

While BCC welcomes the project in principle, the council has expressed disappointment in the ‘lack of consideration’ by Network Rail in regards to the traffic chaos their road closure would cause, as evidenced by a past experimental closure of the bridge.

Cllr Paul Irwin, deputy cabinet member for transport, said the closure of Hollow Hill Lane would send over 10,000 vehicles a day down alternative routes, putting further pressure on the existing roads and the already busy Iver village centre.

Cllr Irwin said: “I’m not convinced this proposal has been fully assessed.

“While we support the rail project, we would like to see the scheme designed to ensure this crucial link remains open to all traffic. If this isn’t possible, Network Rail need to demonstrate to us and our residents that closure is absolutely necessary, and will need to provide a long-term alternative that works for everyone.

“The Ivers are being hit from all sides by nationally needed construction projects. With parish and district colleagues, we’re clear a new road link is needed to ensure the local communities playing ‘host’ to these schemes are not severely impacted.

“If keeping the existing road open isn’t possible then Network Rail should part fund the Iver Relief Road as a like-for-like replacement of the closed road. The relief road would reduce the effect that closing Hollow Hill Lane will have on residents and businesses.”

BCC has pledged to work alongside Slough Borough Council in order to ensure Network Rail put together a ‘comprehensive’ mitigation and compensation package that spans the borough border, in addition to ensuring that Network Rail takes account of the environmental, archaeological, and flooding risks brought about by their work.