Trader’s fears over Farnham Road plans
Concern ‘transformation’ ignores customers who drive
The managing director of the Checkout Superstore is calling for Slough Borough Council (SBC) to work with businesses and the community over plans to introduce major changes to Farnham Road.
The local authority has drawn up plans to ‘transform’ the area by widening footpaths in the main shopping area, introducing a new off-road two-way cycle route and reducing the speed limit for cars to 20mph.
But Ashiq Abdeali, from major Farnham Road retailer Checkout Superstore, has written a letter to the council registering his concern over its plans for those visiting the area by car.
His letter said: “We cannot afford to be short-sighted.
“At no time can we see any proper thought or due consideration for the sustainability of the various businesses that rely on customers who travel by car.”
The scheme features proposals for new parking facilities, including new limited waiting vehicle parking pads (parking bays forming part of the footway) between the Cumberland Avenue roundabout and Sheffield Road.
“These spaces will force all drivers to open their doors into oncoming traffic. Drivers waiting to allow a car to leave its spot will cause a backlog of vehicles on Farnham Road,” Mr Abdeali added.
He added that there are ‘far too many concerns and unanswered questions’ and has called for officers and lead councillors to have a meeting with businesses to hear their concerns and observations and work together to ‘create the
best solution that works for everybody’.
He told the Express that he felt the balance of the current proposals is ‘incorrect’, with more emphasis having been put on improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, rather than car drivers.
In a statement, Slough Borough Council said: “We have already received this letter and it will be included in the responses, all points raised by residents or businesses will be considered.
“In terms of the design, this has
not been fixed but this is the second or third time we have engaged with businesses and residents.
“The first being informal meetings with businesses during lockdown and then 18 months ago asking for their issues and concerns before the bid was submitted. The design will be altered as part of the final proposal to Cabinet including comments about parking.”
The public consultation on the plans closed on Sunday.