Slough Borough Council’s cabinet has approved more than £900,000 of capital spending as part of a £2.2million investment to improve bus services across the area
The Department for Transport (DfT) awarded the funding in 2024, which includes £1.3 million in revenue spending and £917,715 capital expenditure to use over the 2025/2026 period.
The council is also investing £63,000 of its own money to carry out the improvements.
Funding could also be used for improvements in the 2026-2027 financial year if contracts are maintained.
A report, which went before cabinet members at Observatory House yesterday (Monday), asked councillors to approve the capital spending.
It said approving the plans will lead to ‘a borough for children and young people to thrive’ and a ‘town where residents can live happier, safer and more independent lives’.
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Cllr Paul Kelly, cabinet member for highways and transport, told the meeting: “These combined measures represent a forward-thinking and exciting programme of investment and public transport in Slough.
“Working with our colleagues as well as our vital key stake holders such as Heathrow Airport, Great Western Railway (GWR) and neighbouring local authorities we hope to make a significant improvement for those who need sustainable transport in our borough.”
The investment is funding better access into town centre and a bus interchange service to Wexham Park Hospital and Heathrow Airport.
A ‘multi-operation ticketing scheme’ is also expected to be introduced, with reduced ticket prices for passengers who take multiple bus services for their journey.
More evening and Sunday bus services are due to be introduced to improve access and safety across the borough.
The approved capital funding is set to be used to upgrade traffic signals, improve services at two bus stops where bus arrivals are poor and shorten journey times.
The report sets out that zero-emission buses may be purchased using the capital funding, but the council has not yet committed to the plans.
This is in line with the borough’s strategy to reach a net zero carbon target by 2040 and the National Bus Strategy ‘Bus Back Better’.
