The Neighbourhood Plan aspires to create a safe and efficient environment for motorised vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in both Eton and Eton Wick, whilst enhancing transport facilities in between the two settlements.
Transport and traffic issues between Eton and Eton Wick have consistently been identified as high-priority topics during consultation events and surveys, and are arguably one of the greatest causes of dissatisfaction in the Neighbourhood Plan area. Eton is a focal point for traffic due to its location in the road network. Following the closure to traffic of the Windsor/Eton Bridge in 1970, no revised traffic scheme was implemented for traffic travelling from Eton Wick to Windsor. There are a number of reasons for travel from Eton Wick to Eton including accessing the Doctor’s surgery, schools, Windsor shopping area (on foot), the bus and train transport nodes in Windsor, and places of employment.
The Keate’s Lane / Slough Road junction is subject to heavy congestion at peak hours due to its location between Maidenhead and Slough or Windsor. Surveys in 2014 and 2015 at this junction observed average annual NO2 pollution levels between 27µgm3 and 35µgm3. Though these figures are marginally below the European pollution standard, the negative impact caused by pollution at this particular junction is a pertinent issue due to its proximity to Eton College, and in turn, the negative health effects on residents, students, staff and visitors. The historic, listed buildings in this vicinity suffer damage through the air quality issues.
In addition, there are also safety issues, caused by the junction layout and its importance for pedestrian use. Currently, cars cut through Eton Wick from other surrounding areas to avoid major roads such as the M4 and A4. Traffic calming initiatives for Keate’s Lane / Slough Road junction will be strongly supported, with the result of softening the traffic burden in Eton, Eton Wick, and particularly at the Keate’s Lane / Slough Road junction itself.
In principle, the community supports sustainable schemes to improve wider strategic public transport networks and sustainable modes of transportation. Whilst the Neighbourhood Plan does not include Highways policies, the Steering Group and Town Council shall continue to work with key stakeholders, such as landowners and the Highways Authority, to help identify suitable options and solutions.
There is strong support against radical changes to the road and pavement structure at the south end of Eton High Street due to reasons which include: high traffic flows; the importance for shop access; the need to segregate vehicles and pedestrians; retaining the York stone character; and the need to retain parking spaces.
One of the core principles of the Plan is to help develop a strong community and to contribute toward a greater sense of inclusion - both within and between Eton and Eton Wick. It has been identified that enhancing the communities can be achieved through both supporting a good transport network and through the protection and enhancement of our shared community facilities.
Consultation has taken place both with the community through initial drop-in sessions, a community survey of the neighbourhood, collaboration with RBWM traffic, parking and roads personnel, and discussions with Eton College, the Borough Councillor and the Borough Lead Council Member for Transport. The principal issues/opportunities identified during the consultation exercises for the Neighbourhood Plan are as follows:
i. Developing sustainable transport between Eton and Eton Wick
At present, there are numerous cycle and pedestrian routes between Eton and Eton Wick. The most direct route is via the pedestrian and cycle ways that run parallel to Eton Wick Road. However, there are a variety of different networks running through the Neighbourhood Plan area, including routes by the River Thames or through Lammas Land. One of the issues identified relevant to almost all pedestrian and cycle systems is the lack of segregation between cyclists and pedestrians. During consultation, concerns have also been raised regarding the scenarios where multiple modes (cyclists, buses, motorists, pedestrians) are required to use the same limited road and pavement space.
In summary, the existing sustainable transport networks between Eton and Eton Wick are decent, but must overcome two challenges:
New development offers both the threat to jeopardise existing network connectivity, yet it also offers potential to provide new cycle/pedestrian routes or to improve old routes so they are fit for purpose.
ii. Parking provision
There is some dissatisfaction in Eton and Eton Wick due to the lack of parking provision near shops and facilities (for cyclists as well as cars). However, providing more parking in Eton town centre is not easy owing to the heritage character of the settlement. The Neighbourhood Plan can play a role in seeking to address the competing transport, parking and heritage challenges by supporting more sustainable forms of transport that are not excessively straining on the limited space. This includes supporting public transport provision, and prioritising cycle parking over car parking where there is demand.
iii. Eton Traffic Lights
The consultation data strongly supports the need to address environmental, safety and significant inconvenience caused by traffic congestion, particularly in known bottleneck areas. However, traffic and highways matters do not form part of the Neighbourhood Plan process, such that if the Neighbourhood Plan is voted in by the community, this will not endorse the project to solve this traffic issue. Further work will take place outside the Neighbourhood Plan process and will be subject to full consultation at every stage. Indeed the single most desired improvement identified in the Neighbourhood Plan consultation research is for improved road infrastructure.Since the closure of the Windsor/Eton Bridge in 1970, traffic routings have been inefficient. Traffic travelling from Eton Wick, Dorney and further afield need to travel via Eton in order to reach Windsor, Slough, Datchet etc. In addition, due to the congestion of the A4 (and M4), traffic opts for the “cut through” via Eton; this is particularly prevalent during rush hour.
The pollution levels that are routinely measured at this junction show them to be at the borderline of unacceptable levels (European directive), which is particularly concerning, as this is a frequent crossing point for Eton College students, teachers and staff and tourists.
It is proposed that, working with key stakeholders, consideration is given and potential solutions are sought to address these issues. This will only be considered when solutions for traffic flows are found for Eton Wick. This aspect is an integral part of this project. Currently surveys15 show that approximately 75% traffic goes through Eton Wick at rush hour times, without stopping in the village. Traffic speed surveys show there is compliance to existing speed restrictions. Calming measures have been explored through the Neighbourhood Plan development process. The consultation has raised additional ideas such as tree planting to reinforce and expand upon the avenue of street trees in Eton Wick, to create harmony along the main road with its multivarious styles of building.
This project also includes seeking to address cycling safety issues, allowing increased safe cycle traffic. Consultation data shows that many commuters would cycle to commute either to Eton or Windsor for onward commutes or to places of work if safe cycle routes existed. This would result in a potential reduction in motor vehicle traffic with a resultant positive impact on Eton Wick / Eton traffic.
v. Public transport
Between the two parts of our community, public transport is poor, creating congestion most particularly between the hours of 07.30 and 09.50 and then from 15.15 - 17.00 as the private services who provide bus transport for schools. The school busses and subsequent desires for drivers to use their cars results in very significant traffic flows in and out of Eton and Eton Wick at peak times in the mornings and afternoons respectively.
The residents of Eton and Eton Wick have demonstrated support for improving pedestrian, cycle and public transport links, particularly in between the town and village. This policy is intended to serve as a means to preserve and improve existing cycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The future provision of cycling infrastructure should ensure that negative interactions between pedestrians, public transport and cyclists are avoided by segregating routes. The outcomes of better cycle and pedestrian infrastructure will reduce road demand, help contribute to improvements to traffic congestion and parking issues in the local area, yet also bring environmental benefits as more people shift to adopting non-motorised forms of transport.
Consultation exercises have indicated a demand for better cycling infrastructure between Eton and Eton Wick. The sustainable transport network is a planning aspiration to maintain and develop existing links between Eton and Eton Wick. There is also demand from the leisure market for more off-road cycle ways. In particular, there have been numerous comments that pedestrian-cyclist interactions can be unpleasant on narrow shared space routes, so the improvement of footpaths and cycleways will help remedy this issue.
Car travel is the dominant form of transport in the local area; however, there is a widespread feeling across the community that car parking is not adequate. The provision of new car parking capacity is challenging due to the historic street pattern of the area. Residents returning from work and those who work in Eton and Eton Wick, cannot readily park at peak times. This is particularly the case in Eton where people have trouble accessing shops and it is important to the vitality of local businesses for customers to park outside shops offering services or the dropping off of goods.
Eton High Street is a vital community amenity for both economic and social reasons. This is generally regarded to be successfully designed at present through the use of a one-way system and traffic calming tools. Many of the commercial spaces have no rear street or access so must depend on the street for essential deliveries. To retain this important characteristic and support retail businesses, this policy is set up to ensure that new alterations to existing development and retail or commercial uses do not have negative traffic impacts, and in turn reduce the success of Eton High Street as a retail centre.
i. Development that reduces the number of parking spaces in and around Eton’s central retail core (High Street, Meadow Lane, South Meadow Lane, Brocas Street, Eton Square, Tangier Lane area) will not be supported unless equivalent or additional parking replaces this on plot. Enhancements to parking are supported where they do not conflict with the other policies in this plan.
Consultation exercises have indicated there is strong support for car parking spaces to be provided as part of new developments. There is insufficient parking in both parts of our community, but most noticeably in Eton. For the continued vitality of the area, new development must provide high quality parking. However, in central areas and for particular types of development (e.g. terraced housing with narrow frontages) it is recognised that meeting local parking standards can be challenging. This policy seeks to enhance parking provision whilst allowing a degree of flexibility in order to meet local parking standards set by RBWM.
Related to policy TI1 Sustainable Transport Network, there is a community wide support for more bicycle parking in new development. Through providing secure and convenient bicycle parking spaces you encourage people to adopt more sustainable forms of transport for short journeys and in turn, improve environmental sustainability and reduce road traffic.
i. In new residential development, bicycle parking is to be provided within a high standard external or internal space so as not to harm visual amenity or character.
ii. The provision of integrated bicycle parking solutions within commercial or retail development proposals in Eton and Eton Wick Local Centres will be supported.
Consultation results yield strong support for new bicycle parking in Eton and Eton Wick. Relatedly, there is also strong indication of demand for better cycling infrastructure between Eton and Eton Wick. There is some support for creating a leisure hub for cyclists and daytrippers who are utilising the cycling paths alongside the Thames and Jubilee rivers in Eton Wick. In conclusion, consultation findings indicate demand for further public bicycle parking spaces in the retail centres of Eton and Eton Wick, and correspondingly, new development should also be required to accommodate for increasing cycling demand.
15 See - Eton and Eton Wick Neighbourhood Plan Consultation Statement (2017)
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