Call to address 'diabolical' pavements in RBWM transport plan

Disability and inclusion forum members raised concerns about bus services and ‘diabolical’ pavements during a discussion about RBWM’s Local Transport Plan this week.

The plan aims to introduce more cycle lanes, improve public transport, and address congestion.

Better routes for pedestrians are also a key objective for the Royal Borough’s current Local Transport Plan, due to expire in 2026.

Dug Tremellen, the transport policy manager, said that the new transport plan aims to make ‘streets and services welcoming and accessible to all’.

But members of the disability and inclusion forum raised concerns about Maidenhead and Windsor roads during a meeting yesterday (September 8) at Maidenhead Town Hall.

Lisa Hughes, the chair of the forum, said: “One of the frustrations that I see and encounter quite a lot, is something small … dropped kerbs with tactile paving.

“It’s so frustrating. Where I live there are bus stops that, if you needed a crossing, you’re having to walk about half a mile to find a dropped kerb. It just puts people off going out.

“Pavements are a massive issue and not just around mobility impairments but visual and cognitive impairments as well.”

Other members agreed and said more investment is needed to make Maidenhead town centre safer for pedestrians.

Committee member Angela Clark said: “The areas that I really consider investment should be made are the diabolical pavements in the High Street and Queen Street.

“They are extremely dangerous.”

Councillor Helen Price (Ind, Clewer and Dedworth East) said that if roadworks are carried out, warnings about closed pavements need to be signposted in plenty of time.

Cllr Price added: “We have pavements that are the safe way for people in wheelchairs to get around, which they can’t use because [the pavements] are overgrown with shrubbery.

“There is a whole host of things that each one, by itself, is very little but when you actually put them together it’s a real challenge for somebody who has some form of impairment getting around safely.”

Peter Haley, CEO of community transport service People to Places, was worried about the Royal Borough’s bus services.

Mr Haley said: “For a long time the Royal Borough has been at or very close to the bottom of public transport league tables for the whole of England.

“Is there some policy shift that’s going to happen where we’re expecting more public transport to be available to take pressure off car driving?”

Mr Tremellen accepted the comments and recognised that changes need to be made to improve bus services in the borough.

Mr Tremellen said: “We’ve been aware that we’ve been second from the bottom nationally in terms of bus use specifically.

“That’s a real shame if you look to our near neighbours in Bracknell and Woking for instance. We’ve been working on that for some time.

“No doubt, there is much more to do.”

New bus contracts were introduced in April this year and eight new single deck buses came into service on September 1.

A draft of the Local Transport Plan should be ready at the end of this year or in early 2026.