Key gateway to the town reopens after refurbishment
The Windsor Coach Park footbridge has reopened following an extensive refurbishment to the ‘key gateway’.
The footbridge, which connects the back of Windsor and Eton Central railway station to Alexendra Gardens and The Arches, closed in January to undergo the final phase of repair works.
Works included the refurbishment of the lift, repainting of the bridge’s steel structure and the installation of new lighting.
The four-month project had to be split into two phases after nearby businesses under The Arches raised fears over a potential impact on trade over the Christmas period.
The footbridge officially re-opened on Friday, four days ahead of schedule, although town centre visitors reported the bridge lift had temporarily stopped working on Saturday.
A council spokesman said: “The bridge lift stopped working temporarily on Saturday. It has since been looked at by a specialist contractor and is now back in service.
“We’d like to apologise to those affected. The bridge itself and staircase was open through the weekend and remains open.”
Improvements to the footbridge form part of the wider ‘Vision for Windsor’ community engagement programme, with the investment coming from Berkshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Councillor Amy Tisi, cabinet member for children’s services, education and Windsor, said: “I was privileged to be one of the first to traverse the refurbished footbridge and I think many people will be equally impressed by the transformation that’s taken place at this gateway – a key action within the ‘Vision for Windsor’.
“Attention to the footbridge was long overdue and necessary to avoid further deterioration.
“But now it’s great we have an entry point to our town that gives a better first impression and warmer sense of welcome.”
Councillor Geoff Hill, cabinet member for highways and transport, customer service centre and employment, said: “The refurbished bridge looks great and complements userfriendly upgrades to nine Windsor car parks, including the Coach Park itself, which were recently undertaken in tandem as part of enhancing the sense of welcome to Windsor.
“We’ve worked hard to minimise the impact on businesses during the footbridge works, which included pushing to reopen sooner than previously announced, before the busy bank holiday weekend.
“We’d like to thank businesses for their support and patience during the works.
“In return for everyone’s patience, I’d proud to say we now have a revamped gateway to Windsor which will serve the town well for many years to come.”