Project completed for ‘pedestrian first zone’

Works finish on year-long improvement scheme for key Windsor tourist area

Work has been completed on a project to turn Windsor’s Castle Hill into a ‘pedestrian first’ zone,

Lee.

The key tourist area has been undergoing improvement works over the past year to make the area more accessible.

This has resulted in the creation of wider pavements on the southern side of Castle Hill, with the aim of improving the visitor experience.

A protective gate has been installed behind the Queen Victoria statue to boost pedestrian safety.

Bollards are also now in place at the junction of Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street, with two-way vehicle access provided from the junction with Park Street.

Only vehicles accessing Windsor Castle will be allowed in Castle Hill.

The project, which received more than £1.5 million funding from the

Thames Valley Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, also features new dropped kerbs and raised tables to improve accessibility for those with mobility difficulties.

Councillor Geoff Hill, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This project has transformed Castle Hill into a pedestrian first zone, helping to improve safety and make the area more accessible for those on foot, as well as driving growth in our local economy.

“We know that this area can be busy with pedestrians crossing, particularly during the peak summer tourist season, and that the previous pavements were narrow, and this scheme is a vast improvement.”

Alison Webster, chief executive officer at Berkshire LEP, added: “The series of improvements around Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street have made the area more pleasant for residents and visitors alike by expanding the pedestrian area and relieving congestion.

“These improvements, to which the LEP contributed just over £1.5 million of the Government’s Local Growth Fund, will enhance economic growth, managing the higher number of visitors to Windsor Castle which has a positive impact on the town’s vibrant retail and hospitality businesses as well as the increased use of street cafes.”

Other elements of the project included cleaning and repairing the Yorkstone pavement on the northern side of Castle Hill.

There are also crossing points to the castle visitor entrance at the junction of Castle Hill and St Alban’s Street and another at the junction of Church

Lane and St Alban’s Street to the castle learning centre.

Kunle Kolaru, operations director for VolkerHighways, the council’s highways contractor, added: “Being in the shadow of Windsor Castle, the scheme demanded a high degree of expertise and planning to accommodate highprofile events throughout the duration of the project. We are proud to see our works help to improve safety and accessibility of Windsor for both visitors and locals alike.”