Westbourne Street Link work to start

Work starts next Thursday (May 21) on Wycombe’s new Westbourne Street Link.

The £2 million Link, part of High Wycombe’s Masterplan, is the first phase in a scheme to give traffic an Alternative Route through the town centre from Oxford Road to Marlow Hill.

Buckinghamshire County Council contractors are expected to take 22 weeks and aim to finish the project in October.

Work involves building a new roundabout junction linking Oxford Road (A40) with Westbourne Street, reconstructing Westbourne Street to its Baker Street junction, resurfacing Oxford Road between The Pastures and Bellfield Road, creating a new culvert to enable the River Wye to be opened up in the longer term, planting trees and green spaces, and putting in new streetlights and drainage.

The £2m cost is being met jointly by developer funding, Wycombe District Council and the County Council.

Phase 2 ofthe Alternative Route, from the Southern end of the new Westbourne Street link, along Desborough Road through the old gas works to Marlow Hill roundabout, is anticipated to start by March 2016.

The Alternative Route uses urban design techniques that encourage low traffic speeds, a smooth traffic flow, and a reduction in stop-start delays and pollution effects.

It aims toimprove safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and will pave the wayfor new development andimprovements in the town centre.

Once built, the route will take pressure off the town’s Abbey Way flyover, recent maintenance on which has extended its life between 15 and 20 years.

Buckinghamshire County Council Leader Martin Tett said he looked forward to the benefits the new route would bring for everyone getting into, out of, and through the town centre.

‘We’ve tendered very robustly to ensure we get best value for money,’ he said. ‘I fully appreciate there will be some inconvenience while work goes on, and I apologise in advance, but I believe the resulting gain will be well worth the pain!’

Penelope Tollitt, Wycombe District Council’s Head of Planning and Sustainability, added: ‘We are more than aware that town centres are changing and that we need to adapt to ensure future growth and prosperity. The Westbourne Street Link road, which is a key part of the Alternative Route around the town centre, is an important part of our joint vision with the County Council to keep High Wycombe town centre a vibrant place that people want to come to and spend time and money in.’

?High Wycombe’s Masterplan – a joint project between Wycombe District and Buckinghamshire County Councils – aims to strengthen the town centre as a focus for jobs, shopping and leisure.