Temporary traffic lights have been put in place on a major road as work begins to prevent a local village from flooding in future. 

Work began on Monday, July 10, to reduce the flood risk in Datchet.

The work, which seeks to reduce the risk of flooding by clearing silt from a Victorian underground watercourse, is set to last until next month.

In the meantime temporary traffic lights will be used to manage traffic along the B376 Slough Road, London Road, and Horton Road, to allow the route to remain open.

However, The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, who commissioned the work, has warned that temporary disruption should be expected.

A Slough Borough Council spokesperson added: "Temporary traffic lights in Slough Road, Datchet from Monday may have a knock-on effect on Slough routes.

"Please plan your travel."

For the work to be carried out safely, contractors will work in small sections which will be on a single side of the road at any one time.

Contractors will gradually remove a thick layer of silt lying on the bottom of the brick-built Datchet Barrel Arch running underneath the centre of the village through manholes.

Once through the manhole, workers will access the 1.1-metre diameter, which runs between Church Mead School, Priory Way, and Green Lane.

The silt has built up over a number of years and fills almost a third of the Barrell Arch, limiting its capacity during rainfall. 

Once removed, the capacity of the arch will increase so more water can be dispersed via the underground culvert.

The work which is part of the Datchet to Hythe End Flood Improvement Measures, will encourage water flow into the Datchet Common Brook and then into the River Thames.

Councillor Richard Coe, cabinet member for Environmental Services, said: “I really welcome this work which is being carried out to help reduce flood risk to residents’ homes and local businesses at times of high rainfall.

“The work will bring some temporary disruption for road users who need to cross the village green, but we will strive to keep this to a minimum.

“The work requires dry weather to be undertaken, so that the water in the culvert is at a minimum, which is why it is being undertaken at this time.”

The work is weather dependent, with the summer offering longer dry periods to be able to remove the silt.

The work is set to be completed on Wednesday, August 16, however, if wet weather slows the work done, workers will return at a later date.