The table below summarises a series of projects and neighbourhood infrastructure items identified through consultation with the community. Delivery of these items will help to realise the vision, albeit they do not constitute statutory planning policy.
| Infrastructure or Project | What? Physical / Green / Social Infrastructure OR Community Project |
Where? Address / Area / Whole Neighbourhood |
When? Now / Soon / Later / Whole plan period |
Who? Partners involved in delivery |
How? CIL / Community volunteers / Public / Private / Third Sector |
Cost Estimate of costs where applicable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Create a Visitor Centre in Eton to offer information on local attractions and facilities, thereby supporting increased footfall and encouraging increased spend. | Community Project (BLT) | Initially as pilot project at Eton Town Hall, Riverside Station or Bridge area; potentially at dedicated premises on High St at later stage. | Pilot in 2017. Expansion (if feasible) 2018 and beyond. | Initially Eton Town Council (ETC) & ECA with support from RBWM. | Community volunteers with support from RBWM. | Pilot: £5-10k for prep and printing of information and publicity material. |
| 2. Develop Eton Walkway with markers in 18 locations at points of interest. Include footfall counters. Consider extensions that achieve the agreed aims of the project. | Community Project (BLT) | Eton as Phase I. Potential extension to Eton Wick and Riverside of Thames as Phase II. | Initiated in 2016. Phase I completion 1H 2017. Phase II evaluation in Plan period. | Eton Community Association in partnership with The Outdoor Trust. Supported by RBWM, Eton College, ETC and multiple local donors (money, time, expertise). | Community volunteers in partnership with The Outdoor Trust. | £70-75,000 |
| 3. Create a Community Café in Eton Wick | Social Infrastructure & Community Project (H&D) | Eton Wick centre | To be decided - voluntary or commercial | Eton Wick community or commercial provider | EW volunteers or commercial provider | |
| 4. Eton Wick Village centre refresh/re-vitalisation | Social Infrastructure (H&D/T&I) | Eton Wick village centre. Include additional parking at Bell Lane | During plan period. | ETC, RBWM, commercial organisations, Highways | RBWM, Highways | Scale dependant |
| 5. Incorporate a feature in Eton Wick centre including provision for a Christmas tree | Development (H&D) | Eton Wick centre, outside Bell Lane shops | ETC, RBWM | Community, RBWM | ||
| 6. Protecting Assets of Community Value | Social Infrastructure (BLT) | Eton Wick | Eton Wick Village Association | Community | ||
| 7. Street lamp design strategy | Conservation, environment (T&I/Env) | Eton - High Street, Slough Road, Brocas Street, Meadow Lane, King Stable Street | 2017/18 | RBWM, Streetcare, Highways, Windsor & Eton Town Manager | ETC; Community, Streetcare at RBWM | |
| 8. Satellite Healthcare provision in Eton Wick | Social Infrastructure (T&I) | Eton Wick | ASAP | Doctor Surgery, Eton, location landlord | Community, Eton Surgery partnership | Low |
| 9. Seek solutions for Eton and Eton Wick to address traffic volumes, pollution and safety issues | Highways/Environment (T&I) | Eton Wick Road, Slough Road, Keate’s Lane/Slough Road junction, Pococks Lane | During plan period | RBWM, Berkshire, Eton College | Costs associated with evidence collection. NB Surveys completed (speed and traffic routes) | |
| 10. Bicycle Wayfinding | Highways/Environment (T&I/Env) | Whole neighbourhood | 2017/18 | RBWM, Community, ETC | Signage costs | |
| 11. Establish sufficient, appropriate bike parking in Eton and Eton Wick | Highways/Environment (T&I/Env) | Phase I Eton (at 4 identified sites) Phase II Eton Wick (inc at Bell Lane shops) and Eton (Budgen’s area and others) | Phase I 2016/17 Phase II 2017 | Phase I: RBWM, Eton Community Association, ETC Phase II: RBWM, ETC |
Community volunteers, RBWM policy and highways execution | Medium - to be budgeted for 2017 |
| 12. Achieve acceptable mobile coverage for all (and high speed data) | Community/business (T&I) | Whole neighbourhood | ASAP | ETC, Commercial providers | ETC to lead | Covered by commercial providers |
| 13. Bus service provision to and from Eton Wick. | Community/Highways (T&I) | Effective service especially 07.00-09.30 and 15.00 to 18.00 between Eton Wick and Eton and to A4 (Burnham etc.), Heathrow. Include stops at Porny School and Brocas. | ASAP | RBWM Councillors, ETC, Service providers | RBWM? | |
| 14. Rediscover the Barnes Pool brook in order to enhance flood relief; north of South meadow onwards to Barnes Pool and the Thames | Environment (Env) | Under Baldwin’s Bridge and upstream to railway bridge vicinity and downstream through Eton College to The River Thames | During plan period | Baldwin’s Bridge Trust, Eton College, RBWM, Environment agency | Highways, Environment agency | |
| 15. Review flood plain categorisation NB This is a Nationally driven activity | Environment/Housing and Development (H&D/Env) | Eton Wick primarily. | Plan period | (ETC), Environment agency, RBWM, Planning | (ETC), Environment agency | |
| 16. Review the common and Lammas land locations and reinstate these correctly for public use | Community / Environment (Env) | Eton Wick and Eton | Initiate in 2017 | ETC, Eton College | ETC, Community | |
| 17. Establish a wild flower meadow | Environment (Env) | Strip of Brocas land adjacent to the Brocas Terrace / Emlyn’s Buildings housing frontages | Plan period | Eton College | ETC, Eton College, community |
1. Visitor Centre in Eton
The creation of a visitor centre is strongly supported in consultation with 88% of participants who answered the question supporting this proposal. While many of the huge numbers of visitors to Windsor are on whistle-stop tours of the Castle there are others with more time to spare but who are often unaware that Eton has more to see than the College. While the Windsor Information Centre promotes the High Street whenever possible, there is scope to improve the experience of visitors who do venture over the Bridge and to attract and inform others who might otherwise pass Eton by, thereby supporting increased footfall and encouraging increased spend.
In addition to providing information on opening times and tours at the College, the Natural History Museum, the Eton Walkway, local events, shopping and dining opportunities, open spaces and leisure facilities, there is also scope to promote the walking, cycling and wildlife attractions of Eton Wick. The opportunity created in 2017 by the inauguration of the Eton Walkway, reopening of Eton College tours and increased opening opportunities of Eton College museums enhances the benefit that a Visitors’ Centre will provide.
It is proposed that a centre could be located at Eton Town Council’s offices on the High Street, although details of available space for publicity material and a local historical photograph display area, manning requirements, signage and other costs etc. are currently unknown. Possible sites should be explored in collaboration with the Town Council. In the meantime, a limited initial pilot is suggested to assess viability, operating during weekends in summer 2017 out of a temporary structure (gazebo) at the Windsor end of the Bridge with the help of volunteers who currently assist the Windsor Information Centre. Other locations may also be considered.
2. Community Centre/Cafe in Eton Wick
The desire for a central location is strongly supported by the consultation data. However, there is the realisation to consider that a commercial venture needs to be viable. There is a history, including in recent times, whereby café locations have not been viable and a new exploration by a successful local franchisee of a large coffee chain has evaluated the prospect as not financially suitable for proceeding.
There is an opportunity for a community body to pursue a community centre and there are multiple locations that could be readily available. This project is therefore noted as a Community project, which will require volunteer services, with an option for a commercial venture.
3. Eton Wick Village Centre Revitalisation
There is very strong support in consultation for rediscovering or enhancing Eton Wick Bell Lane shops area to become a “heart of Eton Wick”. However, the view of what this means varies very widely, from comments submitted through the consultation processes. There is very strong desire for no development in the flood plain, in restricted land (Lammas, common), and very many comments that explain Eton Wick’s desirability as a place to live is based on its rural nature, which in turn relates to its farming heritage.
As a consequence, the community and voluntary expert resources, such as RBWM and other stakeholders such as Eton College need to agree the vision as a first step. This will not handled by the Neighbourhood Plan process. However, it is important that all of the consultation data steers the work. Multiple options should be developed, from an “additional greenery, tidy up shop fronts at Bell Lane” minimum case up to a more significant change proposal.
4. Feature in Eton Wick Centre
Consultation demonstrates that the community wish to see a landmark feature incorporated into Eton Wick centre that contributes to the village character, supports community cohesion, and adds aesthetic value to the area. It is intended that this feature will also serve to support the new Christmas tree location. The feature may contain a theme of public realm design, but should also incorporate other details such as public art, planting, or temporary retail space. This project, however, needs further specification.
5. Eton Walkway
To celebrate Eton’s diverse community and rich heritage the town’s residents, businesses and key organisations - including the RBWM, Eton College and Eton Town Council - have come together to support Eton Community Association’s project to create an Eton Walkway for the town. Support is demonstrated by the local participation and various local funding sources.
The 2mile/60minute walk connects many of the town’s highlights and intends to inspire those who live, work in and visit Eton. More of Windsor’s existing 7million annual visitors will walk over the bridge, learning about our heritage, gaining an educational experience and some exercise and enjoying our 25 restaurants, shops and hotels along the route. Permanent bronze markers identify the route of the Walkway and use the coat of arms of Eton, originally given to Eton by the King in1449. Story points, which will be shared through mobiles and interpreted with a free leaflet for visitors to enjoy, will enhance the tour.
The project includes a panel at the Windsor/Eton Bridge, the start of the route, to promote the Walkway and footfall counters at the bridge and towards the north end of the High Street, which will help to assess the human traffic and what influences it.
6. Protecting Assets of Community Value
Proposals will be supported that would help to secure the economic future of our numerous public houses, the village hall and to retain our churches.
Eton Wick village has the good fortune currently to possess a school, numerous shops, and pubs, a village hall and a number of churches but these may come under threat. These facilities provide focus for village life. Applications for new development should not prejudice the retention of the school, a shop, public houses, the village hall and churches. If the present shops should close the Town Council would wish to see the use retained in the existing building, or on another site central to the village, or as part of a new development similarly located.
7. Street Light Project
Inspired by RBWM, the opportunity to standardise the street lamp design in Eton, moving to standard heritage lighting more uniformly is a project that has support. This subject did not form a part of the consultation, but has the subsequent support, such that it is now incorporated as a project. There are at least 2current heritage designs of lamppost, seen by appearance near Meadow Lane car park and then on Common and Keate’s Lanes. In the high Street, there are some unattractive more modern lampposts, such as at the Keate’s Lane/Slough Road junction.
A standard design needs to be established, based on suitability and cost, prior to a programme of replacement. Safety and security needs to continue to be paramount; for example, there are a number of relatively visibly discrete fittings along the High Street that cast excellent bright lighting, enabling local residents to feel safe and secure at night. This should not be compromised at any time through the hours of darkness.
8. Satellite Healthcare Provision - Eton Wick
There is a clear desire, indeed a probable need for satellite health provision in Eton Wick, as seen in the consultation data. The population size of this part of our community would normally be supported by a medical presence, albeit for part of the time. The lack of suitable public transport from Eton, where the Doctor’s surgery is located, reinforces the need.
There are multiple potential locations for such a facility. It is a cause for concern that a long-standing “mother and baby” monthly weigh-in/consultation service was withdrawn in 2016 by the provider, running counter to the consultation data’s input.
9. Seek Traffic Solutions for Eton and Eton Wick
The consultation data strongly supports the need to address environmental, safety and significant inconvenience caused by traffic congestion, particularly in known bottleneck areas. 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 alongside achieving suitable traffic solutions in Eton Wick. This aspect is an integral part of this project. Currently surveys 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. 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 multi-various 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.
10. Cyclist Wayfinding
Consultation data shows that there is a desire for more, safe cycle routes for commuter, family and sports cyclists, each category having different specifications. Enhanced routes have been worked on with RBWM officers; signage is now the most pressing aspect of this project.
There is support in consultation to develop Eton Wick into a hub for families, cyclists and tourists wanting to cycle the Thames, Jubilee River and other local cycle paths. This project proposes the installation of wayfinding signage along the major Thames and Jubilee cycle paths that provide directions to cycling and retail facilities at Eton Wick.
11. Bike Parking
The consultation data supports a strong desire for more cycle parking including some secure parking. The need in Eton is supported by both Eton and Eton Wick, since the latter community have members who wish to cycle to their next transport leg to work (bus, train) and/or for shopping or services in Eton e.g. Doctors’ surgery. There is also a need for bike parking in Eton Wick, although regular “hoops” are considered suitable in this location.
Working with RBWM officers, the first phase of this is already well specified and £10,000 has been allocated for Phase 1 of this work. The remainder requires further budgeting in the next RBWM financial cycle including for Eton Wick Bell’s Lane shopping area and Eton near the Budgen’s store area.
12. Mobile phone coverage and data transmission speed
The mobile phone coverage in Eton is very poor. Consultation data shows a very poor view of the current state and a strong desire to rectify this issue. A policy has been incorporated in the Neighbourhood Plan accordingly, that prioritises functionality i.e. the need to access mobile coverage, over visual factors.
Contact with commercial providers needs to be made in order to progress this project and providers need support in order to help with siting. Eton Wick has certain areas of concern, but it is the speed of data that is more concerning in Eton Wick, for those who do not wish to pay enhanced rates for fast service. This also needs to be explored and resolved.
13. Bus Services - Eton Wick
The consultation data showed a significant issue, which has been a cause of concern for many years. Bus services are commercial, with no subsidy from Eton Town Council or RBWM. In order to be viable, bus companies provide school services between 07.00 and 09.30 and 15.00-18.00 such that local needs receive no bus provision during these times. In addition, the costs of bus services, for example to and from Eton or Maidenhead, are excessive.
The combination of the bus timetable and costs result in poor use of the bus services, which in turn deters any commercial bus service company from making the necessary changes. The impact on the traffic flows, congestion, environment and quality of life for all of those affected determines that we must find a resolution to this problem. The project has not as yet found a way forward. An increase in the precept may be an approach that gains support.
14. Barnes Pool
The former brook from South Meadow to the pond at Baldwin’s Shore, sometimes known as Barnes Pool and the brook that continued to the River Thames was flowing within the last 50 years. There is a culvert system in place with a presumed blockage. Local stakeholders are all supportive of this project, including the community, Eton College and the Environment Agency. Our policy to bring culverts back into use for the easing of flooding issues is consistent with national environmental policies. The consultation data showed strong support for this project.
15. Monitor Flood Plain Categories
Whilst the consultation showed a strong desire not to develop or build on the flood plain, there is some evidence that in recent decades, certain areas of high flood zone category have not flooded, whereas some lower category areas have done so. As such there may be a benefit in monitoring flood events and liaising with the Lead Local Flood Authority with a view to move this subject forward to assist in ameliorating flooding. This monitoring information may assist the national flood boundaries to be determined more appropriately and may help in assessment of the effectiveness of flood policies.
16. Common Land
There is a need for clarity about what land is available for the people, especially in Eton Wick. There are areas of common land and Lammas land that have been fenced, for practical purposes of land grazing, for example, in today’s world where tethering one’s livestock is not a normal practice. However, it is critical that these areas that were designated for the people are available for the people and are returned to such a state where necessary.
17. Wild Flower Meadow
The area of the Brocas that is in front of Emlyn’s Building and Brocas Terrace is an excellent opportunity to develop a wild flower meadow. This will enhance the Brocas, contribute to the positive environment and be a sustainable addition to this beautiful area, which is a privately owned public space for residents and visitors to enjoy. This is a low cost project with a very positive impact.
Advanced, high quality and reliable communications infrastructure is essential for economic growth and social wellbeing. The Town Council support the expansion of electronic communications networks, including next generation mobile technology (such as 5G) and full fibre broadband connections. High quality digital infrastructure is important to local residents, businesses and the community as a whole, providing access to services from a range of providers, is expected to be delivered and upgraded over time; and should prioritise full fibre connections to existing and new developments (as these connections will, in almost all cases, provide the optimum solution).
The number of radio and telecommunications masts, and the sites for such installations, should be kept to a minimum consistent with the needs of consumers and the efficient operation of the network. Use of existing masts, buildings and other structures for new telecommunications capability (including wireless) will be encouraged. Where new sites are required (such as for new 5G networks, or for connected transport and smart city applications), equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate.
Because of the high quality and sensitive environment in the Neighbourhood Plan area new communications infrastructure will be expected to take full account of the design policies in this plan where they are appropriate.
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