Slough Borough Council announced early in September this year that were to close Station Road at the Burnham Station railway bridge to make way for a multi-million pound station improvement scheme.
Ignoring officer recommendations to make station road one way northbound, and Burnham Lane one way southbound, Slough Borough Council went with the decision to close the road to all vehicles north and southbound. Cllr. Wayne Strutton, Haymill &Lynch Hill Ward, along with fellow Haymill & Lynch Hill Councillors – Cllr. Anna Wright and Cllr. Darren Morris - took to the streets to gather over 7,000 signatures in a petition to reverse this decision. The petition was debated in full council on 22nd September. Despite strong opposition from residents, local businesses, Slough Conservative Councillors and Burnham Parish Councillors, the closure went ahead.
As predicted, the closure has caused chaos. It has resulted in high volumes of congestion particularly on Cippenham Lane and the A4. Local businesses have been affected on the Burnham Lane parade of shops. There is increasing concern for public safety through road accidents. Vulnerable patients are having their care impacted as a direct consequence of the closure of Station Road bridge. Home care provider Bluebird Care, based in Summers Road, said it has been greatly affected by the increase in traffic on all other routes between Burnham and Cippenham.