A CYCLEWAY aiming to link Maidenhead, Taplow and Slough looks set to be awarded the funding it needs and could be completed within two years.

Sough Borough Council (SBC) and the Royal Borough (RBWM) are working with Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) to implement a cycle route along the A4 corridor between Slough, Taplow and Maidenhead, following a decision this month to award funding for the scheme to the Local Enterprise Partnership.

The A4 Cycleway and Bus Stop Improvements project is part of a wider plan to link stations and encourage sustainable travel under the theme of 'Access to Stations’ which has been awarded £1.4million by the Local Growth Fund.

The cycle scheme will include real-time bus information and Wi-Fi at some bus stops along the A4.

Taplow’s Railway Station’s location links in with plans to install cycleways along the various borough councils’ sections of the A4, with BCC filling in the missing link.

A SBC spokesman said: “If the funding is approved for SBC and RBWM, the scheme will provide a safe and continuous route for cyclists, linking residential areas to local rail stations, retail centres and workplaces. “It will also link to existing local and national cycle route networks, meaning you’ll be better supported whether you cycle for practical reasons or you do it for fun.”

Cllr Lynda Yong, vice-chair of The Royal Borough’s Cycle Forum, said: “It is fantastic. We’re seeing more and more people cycling and the more routes we can provide the more people will be encouraged to cycle.

“It keeps people healthier and fitter and it’s a cheaper way of getting around so it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

BCC hopes the scheme will minimise the impact of Crossrail-related extra cars requiring parking at Taplow Railway Station and improve cycling access to local attractions while encouraging more people to jump on their bikes.

If approved, the scheme could be up and running by 2016/2017.