Changes to the experimental bus and cycle lanes along the A4 Bath Road come into effect today (Friday).

The lane restrictions will now be between 7am and 10am and again in the afternoon between 3pm and 7pm, Monday to Friday.

This replaces the 24 hours restrictions implemented in July between Cippenham Lane and Sussex Place as part of the government’s scheme to encourage people to travel actively and sustainably while supporting social distancing measures for pedestrians and cyclists.

READ MORE: Slough councillor refuses to apologise over "offensive" comments

It led to massive congestion and attracted bitter opposition from drivers and some councillors.

During the restricted period the bus and cycle lane can be shared with motorcyclists, taxis, Slough licensed private hire vehicles and Neuron Mobility rental scooters.

READ MORE: Slough's Grill Garden fined £1,000 for breaching Covid rules

Cllr Rob Anderson, cabinet member for sustainable transport and environmental services, said: “We have reviewed the data we have gathered over the five months of the experiment so far and taken into consideration feedback which has come in from residents.

“We can now move into the next phase of the experimental scheme and trial the new lanes in a similar mode to the existing bus lanes in the town.”

The changes were passed by the cabinet earlier this month.

The experimental bus and cycle lanes implementation was funded by the government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund and introduced under experimental traffic regulation orders which can run for up to 18 months.

Views on the changes are welcomed for six months until Friday, June 4 and will only be taken into account if they are received after the scheme commences.

More information on the scheme can be seen on the consultation hub page at slough.citizenspace.com and the technical information is available online under public notices here https://www.slough.gov.uk/consultations-petitions/temporary-a4-bus-lane-scheme.

Paper copies are available by emailing tfs@slough.gov.uk