A project to improve the visitor experience and pedestrian safety outside of Windsor Castle has been completed.

The work on Castle Hill and St Alban's Street began in September and was completed earlier this month.

The road now boasts a wider pavement on the southern side of the road nearest the shops, as well as a significant reduction in vehicle movements where there is limited access to the castle during visiting areas.

The changes have been made to improve the visitor experience in the town, helping to drive economic growth and spending, as well as providing additional safety benefits.

The majority of funding for the project has come from the Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), as well as developer contributions.

A protective gate has been installed behind the Queen Victoria statue to aid pedestrian safety, and bollards have also been installed at the end of St Alban’s Street with its junction with Castle Hill, with two-way vehicle access from the junction with Park Street.

The year-long project was delivered in phases in order to minimise disruption as much as possible, with businesses and residents kept updated throughout the project. 

Other elements of the project have included retaining, cleaning and repairing the existing Yorkstone pavement on the northern (castle) side of Castle Hill and replacing the road surface with a granite block finish and pedestrian walkways either side of the carriageway down St Alban’s Street.

There are also crossing points to the castle visitor entrance at the junction of Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street and another at the junction of Church Lane and St Alban’s Street to the castle learning centre.

A public consultation saw the majority of respondents supporting the proposed design to make Castle Hill a pedestrian-first location with vehicular access restricted.

Councillor Geoff Hill, Cabinet Member for highways and transport, said: “This project has transformed Castle Hill into a pedestrian first zone, helping to improve safety and make the area more accessible for those on foot, as well as driving growth in our local economy.

"We know that this area can be busy with pedestrians crossing, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, and that the previous pavements were narrow, and this scheme is a vast improvement.”

Alison Webster, Chief Executive Officer at Berkshire LEP, added: “The series of improvements around Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street have made the area more pleasant for residents and visitors alike by expanding the pedestrian area and relieving congestion. 

"These improvements, to which the LEP contributed just over £1.5 million of the Government’s Local Growth Fund, will enhance economic growth, managing the higher number of visitors to Windsor Castle which has a positive impact on the town’s vibrant retail and hospitality businesses as well as the increased use of street cafes.”