As part of a Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) funded improvement works package for the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, VolkerHighways has completed all three phases of the redevelopment of Maidenhead train station and town centre.
The Maidenhead regeneration project is a key transport infrastructure scheme, that will help to unlock investment and enhance pedestrian and cycle access, as well as improve the public realm, accessibility and functionality of Maidenhead train station and town centre. The overall scheme has been ongoing since 2019, when VolkerHighways provided early contractor involvement advice. Since then, the team has completed three phased work packages.
Works have involved widening of the footways, extensive carriageway resurfacing, and revised junction layouts, to improve traffic flow. The team installed new pedestrian and cycle crossing facilities, linking the station with the town centre, and laid bespoke granite paving, as well as installing ornate street furniture throughout.
To make the town centre more appealing, new planters were added, and the existing ones refurbished. VolkerHighways also installed a bespoke cycle hub outside Maidenhead station, to encourage more people to cycle from the train station into town.
Throughout the project, the team worked collaboratively with the council and design engineers, Project Centre, to optimise solutions, and with the wider VolkerHighways business for traffic management, surfacing and lighting expertise.
Due to the location of the works, the team had to manage high footfall from the train station, schools, hotels, and shopping areas around Maidenhead. High volumes of vehicle, cycle and pedestrian traffic, as well as working along key bus routes, required careful planning and management, to reduce disruption.
VolkerHighways set up a site office in Maidenhead town centre, which doubled as a local hub for residents and businesses to ‘pop in’ and find out more about the project. In addition, there was careful consultation at every stage with local businesses, Network Rail, residents and road users/transport groups.
Daron Mizen, project manager, said: “We are delighted with the result of this regeneration project. The scheme has pulled together VolkerHighways’ advanced highway knowledge to provide a high-quality finish and value for money, while accommodating client requests and programme changes. Much of the works were completed during the midst of Covid-19, and so extra precautionary health and safety measures were taken at every stage.”
