What do Datchet's schoolchildren think about our footpaths, cyclepaths and bus routes?
We invited local school children to respond to our Getting Around survey in autumn 2020. We had the following 20 responses. Some responded with the help of an adult.
Q1 Which of these roads do you use to walk from home to key destinations such as the train station, doctor's, schools, churches, shops, etc? Please tick all that apply. (Numbers indicate responses)
London Road 2, Horton Road 2, Ditton Road 1, Lawn Close/Link Rd 0, High Street 1, The Green 4, Queens Road 2, Slough Road 1, Castle Avenue 1, Eton Road 9, Windsor Road 2, Southlea Road 1, Not applicable/do not walk 6.
Q2 Thinking about the roads you use, above, please tell us how they could be improved for pedestrians, (eg, pedestrian crossings, wider pavements, traffic calming, parking restrictions, dropped kerbs, more trees and shrubs, etc). Please give the name of the road and location for your suggested improvements.
Railway station.
Traffic is very very hectic when the trains come because all the cars block up the roads.
Get rid of the train crossing.
Eton Road.
Bigger road/more parking spaces or single yellow line instead of double yellow lines.
Eton Road can often be busy and the pavements are very narrow. School drop-off is a bit scary. Possibility of widening pavements.
Eton Road for a slower speed limit for driving because people are walking back from school and crossing the zebra lines and there might be an accident around there if this does not stop.
Eton Road should be improved by less speed and people should be more careful. The lolly pop man should be there the whole day.
Eton Road/Pococks Lane. The hedges by the field and by the car park by the residential home and St Augustine’s church, need to be cut more regularly. The pavement is already fairly narrow without having to deal with nettles and branches. It is a real danger.
Windsor Road
A safe pedestrian crossing over Windsor Road to the riverside area
Queens Road
Queens Road is very narrow. When there are two large vehicles going in opposite directions eg a bus and a truck, it is dangerous for pedestrians as these vehicles often mount the pavements.
High Street
A crossing between the Manor Hotel and the shops on the other side of the road (towards Costa) would be helpful as this is quite a dangerous place to cross, but a crossing a lot of people need to do.
General
In my opinion they should make separate areas for people on bikes so there is more space for pedestrians and also make boxes on the ground so people can social distance while waiting for the green light. You could also add some more greenery to help the environment (maybe a small flower patch to brighten people’s days.)
More Zebra Crossings.
You could add more path ways and make them a bit wider and maybe another slip road because there can sometimes be traffic due to the trains.
I think that we should make sure that the junctions and traffic lights are all safe because sometimes there are bad accidents near junctions and turns.
A cycling path
Q3 How often do you use the footbridge over the railway between Montagu Road and Green Lane?
Daily 1, Weekly 7, Monthly 2, Every few months 5, Never 6.
Q4 How could that footbridge be improved?
Cut back the foliage on the path on the way to and from the bridge.
It could have a roof over it because the rain has caused me to slip multiple times on that footbridge.
Maybe smaller gaps between the steps, water can go through but if you drop something, you could just pick it back up instead of losing it down the gaps
Maybe you could fasten down the loose floorboard.
More space and maybe it could be wider.
They could do it up a bit and tidy up the path.
They need to improve it, old people with wheelchairs wouldn't be able to go up the stairs and women with prams.
Made easier to get pushchairs or bikes over.
Q5 There are a number of cycle paths in the village. If you're a cyclist, which of these do you use?
Not applicable/do not cycle 7
Ditton Park 5
Horton Road 4
Slough Road 4
Majors Farm Road 2
National Cycle Route 61 1
None of the above 6
Q6 Are there sections of these shared footpath/cycle paths which you think are unsafe or are difficult to manage? Please give the name of the specific cycle path and location of difficult/unsafe section with your comments.
Ditton Road
Slough Road
Horton Road x 2
Eton Road/Pococks Lane. The section between Thames Valley Athletics Centre and Eton House narrows, and is sometimes overgrown with vegetation.
Recreation Ground - I think that the path way in front of the Recreation Ground and behind the ditch isn’t safe because if you were rushing to get somewhere, you might not be focusing and accidentally cycle into the ditch.
Southlea Road, the long road that goes over the bridge is extremely small and most people are unable to cycle there so it should be improved. (There is the farm shop and then over the bridge it is impossible to cycle.)
No x 2
Q7 How could these existing shared footpath/cycle paths be improved? Please include the name of the path and location of your proposed improvements with your comments.
Bigger cycle paths and smoother paths. Cut back the bushes. Widened with vegetation cut back. Maybe repaint the lines. More space and more zebra crossings. One way? The pathways could be a bit broader because the path slopes down at some places and could be unsafe to cross with many cars passing by at the same time. They could be improved by having a side ramp of something so that they don’t go off the path by accident. Southlea Road - Farm shop in Old Windsor then over the bridge, no space there to cycle - make space. Windsor Road by the Great Park needs a biking road.
Q8 If the cycle paths were improved, would you cycle to work? Not applicable
Q9 If the cycle paths were improved, would you cycle to local shops and venues, for leisure and social purposes, etc?
Already cycle 1, Yes 8, Maybe 8, No 3.
Q10 If the cycle paths were improved, would you allow your children to cycle to school? Not applicable
Q11 Would you support an initiative to join up the sections of cycle path on Slough Road?
Yes 12, No 4.
Q12 RBWM’s Cycling Action Plan has highlighted a number of potential actions to consider in Datchet. Which of these would you support?
Q13 If there was a cycle path along King Edward VII Avenue, (alongside the public Home Park), would that make you more likely to cycle into Windsor?
Already cycle to Windsor 4, No 4, Yes 10.
Q14 When the gravel extraction has finished, would you support a new cycle path through the restored Cemex site from Riding Court Road to Ditton Park and the National Cycle Path 61?
Yes 9. No 9.
Q15 Do you have any suggestions for other new cycle paths through the village? Please give details.
A shorter (but broader) footpath/cyclepath from Major's Farm Rd to Riding Court Rd. Make the ground smoother. On Slough Road, Eton road, and Southlea road. There could be cycle paths though some fields of in between houses. Way more respect for people who are cycling down the road and also a bigger cycling path for people who are cycling with children.
Q16 Do we need cycle parking in the village and, if so, where?
Q17 Do you own an e-bike? Not applicable
Q18 If you have an e-bike, or are considering purchasing one, what do/would you use it for? Not applicable
Q19 Do you have an electric or hybrid car? Not applicable
Q20 Do you think there should be public charging points for electric cars in the village? And, if so, where?
No 2, Yes 4, I don’t know 1, Station/public car parks 4, Tesco Express 1, Every parking space should have one, then everyone might buy an electric/hybrid car! 1
Q21 If bus services from Datchet to Slough and Windsor were more frequent (assuming no risk from Covid-19), would you be more likely to use public transport?
Yes 6, No 9
Q22 If the bus routes could be changed, where would you alter the route or create a new route?
Around nearer to the river and on the way to Colnbrook x 1
Q1 Which of these roads do you use to walk from home to key destinations such as the train station, doctor's, schools, churches, shops, etc? Please tick all that apply. (Numbers indicate responses)
London Road 2, Horton Road 2, Ditton Road 1, Lawn Close/Link Rd 0, High Street 1, The Green 4, Queens Road 2, Slough Road 1, Castle Avenue 1, Eton Road 9, Windsor Road 2, Southlea Road 1, Not applicable/do not walk 6.
Q2 Thinking about the roads you use, above, please tell us how they could be improved for pedestrians, (eg, pedestrian crossings, wider pavements, traffic calming, parking restrictions, dropped kerbs, more trees and shrubs, etc). Please give the name of the road and location for your suggested improvements.
Railway station.
Traffic is very very hectic when the trains come because all the cars block up the roads.
Get rid of the train crossing.
Eton Road.
Bigger road/more parking spaces or single yellow line instead of double yellow lines.
Eton Road can often be busy and the pavements are very narrow. School drop-off is a bit scary. Possibility of widening pavements.
Eton Road for a slower speed limit for driving because people are walking back from school and crossing the zebra lines and there might be an accident around there if this does not stop.
Eton Road should be improved by less speed and people should be more careful. The lolly pop man should be there the whole day.
Eton Road/Pococks Lane. The hedges by the field and by the car park by the residential home and St Augustine’s church, need to be cut more regularly. The pavement is already fairly narrow without having to deal with nettles and branches. It is a real danger.
Windsor Road
A safe pedestrian crossing over Windsor Road to the riverside area
Queens Road
Queens Road is very narrow. When there are two large vehicles going in opposite directions eg a bus and a truck, it is dangerous for pedestrians as these vehicles often mount the pavements.
High Street
A crossing between the Manor Hotel and the shops on the other side of the road (towards Costa) would be helpful as this is quite a dangerous place to cross, but a crossing a lot of people need to do.
General
In my opinion they should make separate areas for people on bikes so there is more space for pedestrians and also make boxes on the ground so people can social distance while waiting for the green light. You could also add some more greenery to help the environment (maybe a small flower patch to brighten people’s days.)
More Zebra Crossings.
You could add more path ways and make them a bit wider and maybe another slip road because there can sometimes be traffic due to the trains.
I think that we should make sure that the junctions and traffic lights are all safe because sometimes there are bad accidents near junctions and turns.
A cycling path
Q3 How often do you use the footbridge over the railway between Montagu Road and Green Lane?
Daily 1, Weekly 7, Monthly 2, Every few months 5, Never 6.
Q4 How could that footbridge be improved?
Cut back the foliage on the path on the way to and from the bridge.
It could have a roof over it because the rain has caused me to slip multiple times on that footbridge.
Maybe smaller gaps between the steps, water can go through but if you drop something, you could just pick it back up instead of losing it down the gaps
Maybe you could fasten down the loose floorboard.
More space and maybe it could be wider.
They could do it up a bit and tidy up the path.
They need to improve it, old people with wheelchairs wouldn't be able to go up the stairs and women with prams.
Made easier to get pushchairs or bikes over.
Q5 There are a number of cycle paths in the village. If you're a cyclist, which of these do you use?
Not applicable/do not cycle 7
Ditton Park 5
Horton Road 4
Slough Road 4
Majors Farm Road 2
National Cycle Route 61 1
None of the above 6
Q6 Are there sections of these shared footpath/cycle paths which you think are unsafe or are difficult to manage? Please give the name of the specific cycle path and location of difficult/unsafe section with your comments.
Ditton Road
Slough Road
Horton Road x 2
Eton Road/Pococks Lane. The section between Thames Valley Athletics Centre and Eton House narrows, and is sometimes overgrown with vegetation.
Recreation Ground - I think that the path way in front of the Recreation Ground and behind the ditch isn’t safe because if you were rushing to get somewhere, you might not be focusing and accidentally cycle into the ditch.
Southlea Road, the long road that goes over the bridge is extremely small and most people are unable to cycle there so it should be improved. (There is the farm shop and then over the bridge it is impossible to cycle.)
No x 2
Q7 How could these existing shared footpath/cycle paths be improved? Please include the name of the path and location of your proposed improvements with your comments.
Bigger cycle paths and smoother paths. Cut back the bushes. Widened with vegetation cut back. Maybe repaint the lines. More space and more zebra crossings. One way? The pathways could be a bit broader because the path slopes down at some places and could be unsafe to cross with many cars passing by at the same time. They could be improved by having a side ramp of something so that they don’t go off the path by accident. Southlea Road - Farm shop in Old Windsor then over the bridge, no space there to cycle - make space. Windsor Road by the Great Park needs a biking road.
Q8 If the cycle paths were improved, would you cycle to work? Not applicable
Q9 If the cycle paths were improved, would you cycle to local shops and venues, for leisure and social purposes, etc?
Already cycle 1, Yes 8, Maybe 8, No 3.
Q10 If the cycle paths were improved, would you allow your children to cycle to school? Not applicable
Q11 Would you support an initiative to join up the sections of cycle path on Slough Road?
Yes 12, No 4.
Q12 RBWM’s Cycling Action Plan has highlighted a number of potential actions to consider in Datchet. Which of these would you support?
- Widening the cycle track alongside Major’s Farm Road 12
- A new cycle route parallel to the M4 as part of the proposed housing development 7
- Permitting cycle access on a section of Footpath 3 through the golf course between Windsor Road (near Victoria Bridge) and Eton Road 6
- A new cycle path along the south side of London Road between Ditton Road and Lawn Close 0
Q13 If there was a cycle path along King Edward VII Avenue, (alongside the public Home Park), would that make you more likely to cycle into Windsor?
Already cycle to Windsor 4, No 4, Yes 10.
Q14 When the gravel extraction has finished, would you support a new cycle path through the restored Cemex site from Riding Court Road to Ditton Park and the National Cycle Path 61?
Yes 9. No 9.
Q15 Do you have any suggestions for other new cycle paths through the village? Please give details.
A shorter (but broader) footpath/cyclepath from Major's Farm Rd to Riding Court Rd. Make the ground smoother. On Slough Road, Eton road, and Southlea road. There could be cycle paths though some fields of in between houses. Way more respect for people who are cycling down the road and also a bigger cycling path for people who are cycling with children.
Q16 Do we need cycle parking in the village and, if so, where?
- Near Datchet Village Hall.
- Near the park because if you wanted to cycle to the park you would need a good place to park your bike.
- Outside the Royal Stag
- Somewhere central, eg The Green x 2
- Train station car park.
- Yes, near the library/ in the library car park. Yes, I am not sure where but there definitely needs to be a cycle parking.
Q17 Do you own an e-bike? Not applicable
Q18 If you have an e-bike, or are considering purchasing one, what do/would you use it for? Not applicable
Q19 Do you have an electric or hybrid car? Not applicable
Q20 Do you think there should be public charging points for electric cars in the village? And, if so, where?
No 2, Yes 4, I don’t know 1, Station/public car parks 4, Tesco Express 1, Every parking space should have one, then everyone might buy an electric/hybrid car! 1
Q21 If bus services from Datchet to Slough and Windsor were more frequent (assuming no risk from Covid-19), would you be more likely to use public transport?
Yes 6, No 9
Q22 If the bus routes could be changed, where would you alter the route or create a new route?
Around nearer to the river and on the way to Colnbrook x 1