Proposed bus service changes could see some Windsor/Slough routes lost

Residents are being asked for feedback on proposed routes for bus services in the Royal Borough from 2024.

Every few years, bus companies are asked to compete for the contracts to run these services. Current contracts come to an end next summer.

There are four ‘packages’ of proposed bus services covering Windsor, with three others covering Maidenhead.

Package A (Windsor, Datchet, Wraysbury and Staines) combines the 305 and P1 buses into a single route with new connections.

It is proposed to link Windsor High Street, Churchmead School, Datchet village centre and GP surgery, London Road (Datchet), Welley Road, Horton village, Coppermill Road, Wraysbury village centre, Hythe End village, Staines bus station and Magna Carta School.

Colnbrook and Home Park car park would no longer be served ‘as a result of low demand’.

This saving ‘will help protect other bus services,’ says the Borough.

Package B (Eton Wick, Eton and Slough) largely replicates the existing bus route 15.

It is proposed to link Colenorton Crescent, Eton Wick, Eton Wick village and village hall, Eton Wick Road, Eton town and Windsor Bridge, Jubilee River (at A332 Windsor Road), Slough town centre and Slough railway station.

Package E (Windsor, Clewer Green, Dedworth, Bray and Maidenhead) largely replicates the existing route 16.

It is proposed to link: Windsor town centre, King Edward VII Hospital, St Leonards Road, Clewer Hill Road, Dedworth Road, Dedworth Tesco, Fifield village, Windsor Road at Tithe Barn Drive, Windsor Road at Holyport Road, Bray village, Maidenhead town centre, Maidenhead railway station, Newland School

It is proposed that this package also provides a reasonable replacement for most parts of route W1 that are not covered by route 2, also making a saving.

Package F (Ascot, Sunninghill, Sunningdale and Windsor) largely replicates route 01.

It is proposed to link Heatherwood Hospital, Ascot racecourse, Ascot High Street, Ascot railway station; South Ascot village, Sunninghill village, Lynwood Village, Sunningdale railway station, London Road, Sunningdale High Street, Silwood Road, Silwood Park, Cheapside village, Windsor Great Park and Windsor town centre.

Additional journeys would link Old Windsor with: Windsor Boys’ School, Windsor Girls’ School and Trevelyan School.

The council wants to understand whether there are any additional streets or destinations that residents believe the bus routes should specifically connect to.

The consultation asks that respondents indicate whether they believe the bus would need to make a special diversion; why this would be beneficial; and how often you would travel to the additional locations suggested.

Surveys can be completed online at rbwmtogether.rbwm.gov.uk/bus

You can also share your views by post, writing to: Transport Policy Manager, Town Hall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF.

If you need further support, including internet access or paper copies of surveys for the other supported bus services listed, visit any library in the borough where staff will be glad to assist you.

Surveys are open until December 20.