Our proposals seek to reduce the current dual carriageway to a single carriageway in each direction. This allows for an active travel corridor located to the north, comprising a two-way segregated cycleway and a footway along the entire length of Greens Way. A continuous footway can also be provided on the south side of Greens Way with new pedestrian crossings proposed at either end, and improved crossings at Station Road and close to Market Street to ensure that accessing the town centre from the south on foot is easy and safe.
Similar ideas were first floated in our earlier engagement and in response concerns regarding traffic congestion were raised. So we have tested the impacts of the proposals using traffic engineering experts Arup. The conclusion from this is the changes will not result in any further significant congestion at either end of Greens Way. Assessment of the roundabouts at either end shows that both could operate with sufficient capacity with a single lane approach, based on current traffic flows even including a 10 year growth in traffic scenario. Lanes were closed on Greens Way during the flyover removal works and this did not have a significant negative impact on the highway network or congestion.
The proposals will result in Greens Way becoming a much safer, less traffic dominated street (opposed to the road it is now), with reduced vehicle speeds and noise, providing an overall more pleasant and attractive environment for everyone, as well as improving connections to the station and the canal. It will help reduce air pollution and contribute to reducing greenhouse emissions, making a contribution toward meeting our climate change targets.
Artist's impression of how a redesigned Greens Way could appear - click to enlarge
Greens Way as existing - click to enlarge
Environmental improvements to the A4 in Slough show how Greens Way could be configured - click to enlarge
Transforming the street
Within a transformed Greens Way, there is significant opportunity to change how space is used, away from vehicles and towards space for walking, cycling, street trees and planting, and swales – green stormwater drainage spaces that also provide natural habitats.
Use of planting and trees in streets can provide benefits beyond making them more attractive – they can absorb rainwater through swales (right), provide cooling and shade in the heat, improve air quality and provide biodiverse habitats for nature.
Maintaining traffic flow
Western end of Greens Way, approach to Hartley Street Roundabout - click to enlarge
Testing and computer modelling work has confirmed that even with a reduction in lanes along much of its length, traffic along Greens Way would still flow smoothly. At each end, two approach lanes to the roundabounts would be maintained to ensure that the junctions had sufficient capacity for current and projected traffic flows.
Eastern end of Greens Way, approach to Adwick Road Roundabout - click to enlarge
Accessing Bank Street
Access to Bank Street - click to enlarge
Since the removal of the Greens Way flyover, vehicle access into the town centre from the east has been more complex. The masterplan proposals for Greens Way include a new right-turn into Bank Street from Greens Way.
Consideration has been given to the potential to provide a new highway link between Greens Way and Bank Street at a similar location to the now removed flyover. However, the level difference between Greens Way and Bank Street means that when the required transitions of 2% over 15m are provided at the either end of the link, the gradient in between would be too steep and significantly exceed the desirable maximum of 5%. Therefore it would not be a suitable location for a vehicle link (or for use by pedestrians or cyclists).
