Burnham Road in Slough shuts despite complaints

An experimental road closure near a Berkshire train station is to go ahead, despite 5,000 people signing a petition to keep it open.

Part of Station Road in Burnham is being shut for at least six months while the impact on traffic flows is assessed.

Campaigners said it was a "vital" link for local residents.

Slough Borough Council said a test closure gave it the "flexibility" to plan a new road lay out.

Changes being implemented for at least six months include closing the road tunnel under the rail line to traffic.

The nearby Burnham Station is one of three in Slough which will be used by Crossrail and there are plans for its redevelopment and a multi-storey car park.

Council leader Robert Anderson said: "The tunnel is a constricted pinch point which has a massive congestion effect on the rest of the traffic, so we want to see what happens if we take that away.

"Will it improve congestion and what are the knock-on consequences?

"We can only do that by trying it on the ground. We can run all the computer models but ultimately we have to see how people behave."

Local councillor Wayne Stretton, who gathered 5,000 signatures, said it would lead to a "total snarl up".

"The residents are seeing the council is more focussed on big business and Crossrail over and above their needs," he added.