PARTIAL closure of a Maidenhead street for roadworks has been slammed by a “frustrated” business owner.
As part of the missing links project, which aims to create safe cycling routes, works commenced yesterday (Monday, September 6) on King Street to Nicholsons Lane.
The works include tactile paving to indicate the crossing at the junction with Nicholsons Lane, which improves safety for people with visual impairments.
The council stated in a public notice that pedestrians will be diverted to one side of King Street while work is carried out on the other. When complete, pedestrians will be given access to the completed side and works will start on the other. Access to businesses will be maintained throughout.
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However, this has not gone according to plan where works have started taking up both sides of King Street, leaving only a narrow route for pedestrians to pass.
Councillor Gerry Clark (Con: Bisham & Cookham), lead member for transport and infrastructure, said at a Maidenhead Town Forum the closure is not “in sync” with what was communicated to residents and businesses, and will be contacting council officers to resolve this issue.
Cllr Gerry Clark updating Maidenhead town forum members
One businessperson on King Street spoke with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, saying they were “frustrated but unsurprised” with the partial closure, fearing their business could see a dip in customers for about nine weeks.
The owner, who did not want to be named, said they had to make temporary changes to their premises to accommodate the works, which will impact their revenue stream.
They also said the noise and disruption from the works is ‘off-putting’ to their clientele and fear the narrow lane is not safe, especially during a pandemic.
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At the meeting, St Mary’s ward councillor Gurch Singh (Lib Dem) said this is an “urgent issue” that’s been impacting King Street businesses, such as the Off the Tap bar where Cllr Singh said they “cannot get deliveries, cannot trade,” with their customers are “struggling” to get access the venue.
He also said the works pose as a “health and safety risk” where storage containers are close to the Smokey’s nightclub’s fire exits.
The forum took place on Monday, September 6.
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