With large parts of the roadworks in the centre of Slough nearly complete, the much anticipated switchover from the existing Brunel roundabout to a four-way junction controlled by traffic lights will take place over the weekend of 21-23 October.

This is when the Brunel roundabout ceases to exist and the centre of Slough completely transforms; and those living and working in Slough are being urged to familiarise themselves with the new layout to help ensure the smooth running of traffic.

The opening up of the four-way junction is not the only big change taking place in the centre of Slough, there will also be a permanent change of direction in the traffic flow on High Street West:

• traffic (except buses) travelling northbound on Windsor Road towards the Slough Library will have to turn left into High Street West and then continue to the end where there will be a new traffic junction joining the A4 Wellington Street. From this junction, traffic can either turn left heading out of the town centre or turn right heading towards William Street and Slough Bus and Railway Station.
• traffic travelling southbound on Windsor Road towards the Slough Police Station will have the option of either continuing on Windsor Road or turning right into High Street West.

Once all the infrastructure improvements are complete, the centre of Slough will have been completely transformed and will include:

• a new four-way junction controlled by traffic lights to improve the traffic flow. The Brunel roundabout will cease to exist and new improved road level pedestrian crossings will be installed
• the subways under the Brunel roundabout will all close
• new wide pavements catering for pedestrians and cyclists around the junction will be installed
• a new tree lined boulevard will appear along the north and south sides of the A4 Bath Road from High Street West to Brunel Way.
• the existing footways on High Street West will be repaved and widened in places.
• new street furniture and street lighting throughout the scheme.
• the train station forecourt will be improved with new paving making it a more pedestrian friendly environment, relocation of the taxi pick up point plus the introduction of a new passenger drop-off area

The infrastructure project is part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and is expected to finish in spring 2012.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal said: “I would like to thank residents for their patience while these major roadworks have been taking place, and I would also like to thank Skanska for their work delivering what is a major step forward in the Heart of Slough project.

“The new junction is the key to unlocking new public realm which supports the next stage of the Heart of Slough regeneration project, including The Curve, new office, retail and housing. The junction will offer a more robust solution to managing the volume of traffic using the A4, and upgrades the pedestrian spaces surrounding it with new paving, surface level crossings, trees, landscaping and street furniture.”

Peter Jones, head of area at the HCA, said: “This is an exciting regeneration project for Slough which will help transform the centre of town. It is good to see that it is progressing well.

“This phase of regeneration will help improve transport and pedestrian access to the town centre, and create a better experience for visitors. This is an important step in revitalising the area.”

If you would like to comment on how the infrastructure project is being delivered, please email slough.queries@skanska.co.uk. If you have any questions concerning these works, please contact the 24-hour Skanska Customer Service Team on 0800 066 5006.

The major improvements to the road network in this area are part of the visionary Heart of Slough project worth £450 million to revitalise the town centre.

Major improvements to turn Slough railway station into a brighter, more spacious and easily accessible transport hub will start in early August, with work complete in time for the 2012 Olympic Games.

The much needed improvements to the Grade II listed station will include a major programme of investment consisting of three main elements:

• Station forecourt improvements delivered as part of the local infrastructure improvements - to be delivered by Slough Borough Council, as part of the £450 million Heart of Slough regeneration project
• A new footbridge and lifts to provide step-free access to all platforms - delivered by Network Rail
• Improvements to the station building and waiting areas - delivered by First Great Western.

Work to upgrade the station forecourt will be carried out in five phases starting in early August and ending in January 2012. On completion, the forecourt will include a new taxi waiting/pick up area, a new passenger drop off section and newly paved entrance to the station with trees and forecourt furniture. The upgrade will provide a pedestrian friendly environment for all those coming in and out of Slough.

As part of the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme, Network Rail is installing three new lifts and a new footbridge, providing step-free access between the station entrances and all six platforms for the first time. The £2.5m project is scheduled to start at the end of August and finish early summer 2012.

First Great Western will be making significant improvements to the station with a new ticket office, new toilets, new customer information point, and new staff accommodation. Preparation works have already begun and the work is timed to run alongside the council’s forecourt work improvements.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, said: “As part of the public realm improvements of the Heart of Slough scheme, Slough station forecourt will be redesigned to make it a more pleasant and safer space for customers to use. As one of the busiest stations on the Great Western Mainline, Slough station receives more than 5.5 million passengers a year, and any improvements to help passengers get to and from Slough are welcomed.

“The forecourt improvements being implemented by the council will use the same materials used throughout the Heart of Slough scheme to create a unified public space. With the recent opening of the new bus station, and work taking place on town centre roads, pedestrians will benefit from upgraded surfaces and improved pedestrian routes from the train and bus stations to the town centre.”

Amanda Hoyland, Network Rail route enhancement manager, said: “Thousands of people living and working in Slough rely on the railway every day. The improvements we’re making to the station will make life easier for everyone to use the train, especially those with reduced mobility or with small children, and is part of a wider effort to stimulate the local economy through better transport links. With Olympic and Paralympic athletes and spectators travelling to Eton Dorney in huge numbers next summer, it’s right that we make sure Slough station has the facilities it deserves.”

First Great Western managing director Mark Hopwood said: “Slough is one of the busiest stations on our network and with more and more customers choosing to take the train; this investment will make sure the facilities match the increasing demand for train travel.

“It is an exciting project and we are delighted that we are able to work together with the council and Network Rail to realise all the improvements at once.”

Train services will remain unchanged and station facilities will be open throughout the work.

The taxi rank outside the station entrance will also remain fully operational throughout the improvements.

There will be short periods when some spaces in the East, North and Upper West car parks will be unavailable for use. Space will be available in the West car park throughout.

First Great Western will be writing directly to car park season ticket holders with full details including compensation arrangements.

It’s official…Slough residents have voted to call the Heart of Slough’s new library and cultural centre The Curve.

At the end of last year Slough Borough Council asked residents to suggest names for the new facility and received many responses.

From around 100 names put forward, three were shortlisted and the council once again called on residents to vote for their favourite name - The Curve, The Wave or The Pulse.

The Curve was a clear winner with the public, followed by The Pulse and The Wave.

Forming part of the Heart of Slough development, The Curve will house a new library, learning facilities for adults, a café and a cultural centre. The new facility will let visitors use the library service, engage in study, relax in the café, attend performances, engage in public debate and visit exhibitions.

Andrew Stevens, assistant director for culture and skills said: “I am really pleased that Slough residents have been given the opportunity to choose not only the name but also tell us what facilities and services they wish to see in the new building.  We will continue to involve local people to make sure the facility is the best it can be to meet their needs.

“The Curve is a great name for what will become a great new community complex that will put learning and culture at the heart of Slough’s future.

Building work on the new library and culture centre is due to start in 2012 and should be completed in 2013. The existing town centre library will continue to operate as normal until The Curve opens.

The Curve is part of the visionary £450 million Heart of Slough project to revitalise the town centre.

Study spaces, a café for meeting friends, a greater range of books and a warm relaxing environment are just some of the things residents would like to see at the iconic new library and cultural centre being planned as part of the Heart of Slough development.

To ensure local people were involved in designing the new community facility and the programme of activity, the council consulted extensively with residents from across different age groups and backgrounds.

The consultation was carried out in December 2010 and January 2011 and included focus groups, in depth workshops, wonderwalls - where members of the public post their suggestions on a wall in a community facility, and vox pops.

The results from the consultation have provided the council with the some useful ideas on how services and spaces in the facility should be designed and run.  The findings show that local people would like to see:

• A warm relaxing environment
• Helpful staff who have a good all round knowledge
• Computers and study spaces
• Greater range of books
• Performances and  films
• Career guidance and life skills
• Variety of learning activities
• Café where you can meet friends and relax
• Various cultural activities
• Segregated areas/zones for children, adults reading/newspapers, games
• Exhibitions (including local interest/cultural interest)
• Professional, academic and vocational courses
• An area for council debates on things that affect them
• The opportunity to take part in council decisions

Councillor Shafiq Chaudhry, commissioner for community and leisure said: “The response to the consultation has been fantastic it has provided us with some very useful ideas about what facilities and services residents would like to see at the new community complex.

“The ideas provided will help inform the design and planning of the new facility. The aim is that it becomes a place where people of all backgrounds can share and celebrate their culture, take part in learning, enjoy activities and meet one another.

“With the new bus station nearly complete, the infrastructure improvements moving forward and the new library and cultural centre taking shape, this is an exciting time for the Heart of Slough.”

The findings from the consultation will help decide how the design for the centre is refined before taking it through the final design stage. There will be opportunities for further consultation with residents as the project develops.

Building work on the new library and culture centre is due to start in 2012 and should be completed in 2013. The existing town centre library will continue to operate as normal until then.

The Heart of Slough road network improvements get underway with the permanent closure of the subway under Brunel roundabout on 21 March.

As part of the improvements, the current road network will be upgraded to a new four-way junction controlled by traffic signals. This will include removing the Brunel roundabout and the subway directly underneath it and installing new road level pedestrian crossings to create a more pedestrian friendly route from Slough train and bus stations into Slough town centre.

The closure of the subway will enable Skanska to start the major construction work needed to replace the current Brunel roundabout. The roadworks will include filling in the subway and the area under the roundabout to create a one level road surface.

To ensure members of the public have an alternative safe pedestrian route, temporary crossing points on the east side of the Brunel roundabout (Wellington Street, in front of the new bus station construction) will be installed. The existing pedestrian crossings will stay as they are.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal said: “Installing a new traffic signal controlled crossing in place of the Brunel roundabout is a major element of the Heart of Slough regeneration, enabling us to make more efficient use of this centre of town location.

 “In order to install the new junction, and the new surface level crossings that will come with it, we need to close the subways to enable the substantial works to commence.

“Although disruption will be kept to a minimum we ask members of the public to bear with us while the improvements take place.”

Skanska will be opening an information centre to assist members of the public with any queries about the roadworks. The centre will provide visitors with an opportunity to speak to someone about the Heart of Slough infrastructure improvements and view a pedestrian management plan which shows the plan for the area and where the temporary crossing points will be located.

The information centre will be located on William Street and be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 2pm. When the information centre is closed, members of the public can contact the Skanska Customer Service Team, 24 hours a day on 0800 066 5006.

The infrastructure project, part-funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will replace the current Brunel roundabout and underpasses with a new four-way traffic junction. This will improve the road network and highway appearance of the town centre.

As part of the improvements, the current road network will be upgraded to create a more pedestrian friendly route from Slough train and bus stations into Slough town centre. The improvements planned include:

• a new four-way junction controlled by traffic signals to improve the traffic flow. The existing Brunel roundabout will be removed and new improved road level pedestrian crossings will be installed
• the subways under the existing Brunel roundabout will be closed
• new broad pavements around the junction
• a new boulevard will be created along the A4 Bath Road
• replacing the existing paving on High Street West and a change to through traffic from the south.
• new street furniture and street lighting in the area of the Brunel junction and High Street
• an improved train station forecourt with new paving, plus the introduction of a new passenger drop-off area

Councillor James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal said: “These works start the infrastructure improvements by the council for drivers and pedestrians within the Heart of Slough. This part of the town centre regeneration will allow pedestrian’s to walk from the train and bus stations to the High Street in pleasant surroundings, and not force them into the dark underpasses.

“The highway changes also allow us to reclaim much of the area taken up by the roundabout as usable land, both for development and for much better public space, helping us to transform the town centre for the future.

“With the bus station already approaching completion, the next phase will start to deliver the traffic junction, better pedestrian crossings, along with the upgrade of paving and planting of new trees.

“Although our contractors will be trying to keep disruption to a minimum, I would ask road users and pedestrians to bear with us while we undertake these significant works to improve the town centre.”

Ken Glendinning, head of area at the HCA, said: “It is an exciting time for Slough as the transformation of the town centre is gathering pace. The infrastructure improvements will ease access to the town and improve the experience for both pedestrian and motorist.”

The major improvements to the road network in this area are part of the visionary Heart of Slough project worth £450 million to revitalise the town centre.

The scheme is expected to start on Monday 7 March 2011 and finish in early 2012.

Forming part of the Heart of Slough development, the iconic new community building will house a new library, learning facilities for adults, a café and a cultural centre. The new facility will let visitors use the library service, engage in study, relax in the café, attend performances, meet councillors and visit exhibitions.

At the end of last year the council asked residents to suggest names for the new facility and received many responses. From around 100 names put forward, three have been shortlisted and once again the council is calling on residents to vote for their favourite name.

The three most popular names for the new community complex are:

• The Curve
• The Pulse
• The Wave

Councillor Shafiq Chaudhry, commissioner for community and leisure said: “When completed, this will be a fantastic new facility for local people. We are confident it will become a much loved and valued resource that local residents feel belongs to them. To help make sure that happens we would like our residents to not only tell us what services and facilities they would like to see but also to vote for their favourite name – the Curve, the Pulse or the Wave.
“I hope residents take this opportunity to join with us to make this new facility something they will be proud of.”

Residents can cast their vote online by emailing heartofslough@slough.gov.uk
Alternatively, entries can be posted at your local library, Thomas Gray Centre or the West Wing.

The deadline for all entries is 31 March 2011.

This new community complex, which will cost £17.5million to build, will enable visitors to use the library service, engage in study classes, relax in the café and attend performances, as well as visit exhibitions. It will put knowledge, learning and culture at the heart of Slough’s future.

A competition is running in Slough Schools to celebrate the new library and arts premises by creatively expressing, in words or pictures, what they would like from the new building and how they can see themselves using and enjoying it.

Councillor Shafiq Chaudhry said: “The vision for the new central library is another example of investment in Slough’s town centre.

“Not only will the new building provide state of the art facilities, but will also provide a surface level entrance into the High Street from the new pedestrian crossings which will link the bus and train stations with the centre of town. This is a building for our community so it is fitting that our community should choose a name for it.”

Entries can be posted at your local library or leisure centre, or emailed to heartofslough@slough.gov.uk.

More details can be found here.

The winning name will be selected and announced in January 2011 by a panel of project partners from the Heart of Slough development and the winner will be presented with a commemorative certificate.

The approved design joins the new bus station, which is now under construction, as another iconic landmark for the £450m Heart of Slough project to transform the centre of the town.

With a total floor area of 4447m2 the new library and cultural centre will include:

• A library (including 2.5 kilometres of book shelves) and extensive IT access
• A 180 seat performance space
• Adult learning and teaching rooms
• Rooms for council and community meetings
• Display areas
• A cafe

The new design will create an internal pedestrian link between the new bus station and Mackenzie Square, and provide a sympathetic backdrop to St Ethelbert’s Church. It incorporates solar panels in the roof and high efficiency gas boilers to help meet the council’s sustainability objectives.

“The new building not only looks great, it will bring a new sense of community into the heart of Slough,” said Andrew Stevens, Assistant Director, Learning and Cultural Engagement at Slough Borough Council. “It brings together a range of community and cultural activities right into the town centre.

“We will be consulting on the internal designs over the next few weeks and will run a competition to come up with a new name for the building soon after.”

Whilst the Brunel bus station remains fully operational until the new one is complete, work has already begin on removing parts of the car park above. From the end of March, artist’s impressions of Development Securities’ striking glass office blocks will be displayed wrapped around the old bus station they will replace. Attracting new businesses right into the heart of the town is critical to the success of the scheme, breathing new life into the town centre.

Funding of £11m from the Homes and Communities Agency will see the old infrastructure of Slough’s Brunel roundabout and underpasses removed, to be replaced with traffic light controlled junctions using the most up-to-date traffic flow management software. There will be more surface crossings and a continental tree-lined boulevard to provide pedestrian friendly routes from the bus and train stations into Slough’s shopping areas.

A new cultural centre will also be built near St Ethelbert’s Church, featuring a new library, performance area and adult learning. This new building will put knowledge, learning and culture at the heart of Slough’s future.

Commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, Cllr James Swindlehurst, said: “We’re committed to making Slough a great place to live, work and play and our plans for the town centre are helping to make this a reality. Demolishing the redundant Compair House and parts of the old bus station, allows us to make a start on the new bus station, and then we’re on our way towards a brighter future for Slough and its residents. It’s a very exciting time.”

David Ashworth, Head of area at the HCA, said: “As work gets underway, it’s fantastic to see the Heart of Slough project really coming to life as you walk through the town centre.

“This is just the beginning of the regeneration of Slough and I’m delighted that the HCA has been able to help fund the much-needed infrastructure improvements to create a 21^st century gateway to the town. The new road layout and pedestrian crossings will help make journeys around the town by foot, bike, car or bus faster and safer.”

Chris Dexter, chief operating officer for First in Berkshire, said: “As the major bus operator in the town, we’re looking forward to moving into the new bus station which will provide a much improved environment for passengers and staff.

“The futuristic design and investment helps demonstrate the council is confident of the part bus travel will play in years to come and we support them.”