Road changes that will make it easier for people to walk and cycle between Maidenhead town centre and the train station won final approval from Royal Borough cabinet members on Thursday.

The proposals will remove the right-hand turn from the Queen Street junction onto the A308 allowing a dedicated cycle lane to be created towards the station. This will be complemented by an additional 250 cycle storage spaces planned for Maidenhead railway station. This change will also mean key paths can be increased in size, enabling pedestrians waiting to cross the road to avoid being pushed into the road by pressure of people.

Residents provided feedback on the proposals before and during the trial period with recent face-to-face survey results finding that: 70 per cent of respondents feel that the change will help improve connectivity between the town centre and the station; 60 per cent saying it would make the area safer for pedestrians and 60 per cent feeling the change will improve the layout of the junction

The proposals were put to the test as part of a trial which started on July 8, in conjunction with the introduction of a new two-way system on The Broadway to help reduce any impact on motorists.

Cllr Andrew Johnson, leader of the council, said: “In July, we declared a climate emergency and committed to doing everything we can to reduce our carbon emissions. Part of this includes encouraging and giving our residents the tools to access the town centre more sustainably by walking or cycling. These changes will help encourage that behaviour and help us reach our target.

“I am pleased to hear that our emergency services colleagues have confirmed our thoughts that this change will not have a detrimental effect on their ability to get to people as quickly as possible and that it will also help reduce serious accidents in the area.”

Work to deliver the overall scheme is already starting this week and will last six weeks. During this time new temporary arrangements will be in place with railway commuters and pedestrians needing to use the Shoppenhangers Road pedestrian crossing to cross between the station and Queen Street.