A new toucan crossing has officially opened in Maidenhead across the A4 St Cloud Way.

The crossing for pedestrians and cyclists connects the forthcoming St Cloud Way development at the former Magnet Leisure Centre and Ten Pin Bowling sites with the town centre.

It replaces the old St Cloud Way footbridge, which was demolished last year, and forms part of the council’s investment into active and healthy travel choices.

Windsor and Maidenhead council’s transport lead councillor Geoff Hill said: “I’m pleased to see work on this crossing completed and walkers and cyclists using this important link. I’m sure it will be a welcome improvement for both groups.

“Creating safer and more convenient walking and cycling routes, empowering more people to reduce their reliance on vehicles for short journeys where possible, not only supports our work to address climate change, but gives our residents the facilities to improve their health and wellbeing.

“Along with the final phase of the new Missing Links route at Town Moor nearby, which was completed earlier this year, these are both crucial parts of our major strategic investment into active travel and healthy travel choices in Maidenhead.”

Councillor Hill also thanked contractor VolkerHighways for completing the works “in a relatively short space of time.”

Operations Director for VolkerHighways Kunle Kolaru said: “We are always pleased to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs and priorities of the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

“In this instance, we were asked to accelerate our programme of work within a tight construction window, which we were able to achieve quickly, safely and to a high-quality standard, to the benefit of all road users.”