Olympic arrangements aim to protect local residents and businesses - parking fine proposal for community 'reinvestment'

Royal Borough residents and businesses are the council's top priority in plans for travel and parking during the Olympic events at Eton Dorney this summer.

A detailed list of the measures that will help keep the borough on the move and protect residents' parking will be discussed by cabinet on Thursday 26 January - and members will also consider a proposal that all income raised from parking fines in the parking protection area during the Olympics be channelled into the council's Big Society grant fund to benefit transport related community and charity projects.

Cllr Simon Dudley, cabinet lead for the 2012 Games, said: "Having worked closely with the Games organisers to get the best possible deal for our residents and businesses, we want to ensure that visitors to our borough steer clear of the designated residents' parking zones.

"Council enforcement officers will be on patrol throughout the Games to ensure drivers adhere to the temporary regulations - but where vehicles are parked illegally penalty charge notices will be issued and the funds raised reinvested in our community through Big Society grants for transport related schemes."

The borough has worked with LOCOG (London Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games) to minimise disruption and inconvenience, particularly during the Olympic Games from 28 July to 11 August.

Free parking permits will be issued to residents, on application, in affected areas and also for their visitors (including carers, doctors etc). Full details will be available in good time.

Cllr Phill Bicknell, cabinet member for highways, transport and environment, said much midnight oil had been burned to reach the best possible solutions, given the huge numbers of people who will be heading for Eton Dorney to watch the rowing and canoeing events.

He said: "There will be disruption - we have to be realistic. However, this borough is well used to big international events and we have a wealth of experience to draw on. That's why we have not only worked with the traffic experts at LOCOG but involved local councillors in the areas most likely to be affected. Their grass roots knowledge of their wards has been invaluable."

The detailed list of traffic management and parking measures includes:
• information about rail services to Maidenhead and Windsor and Eton Riverside stations
• park and ride facilities in Maidenhead (Stafferton Way and Braywick Park) and Windsor (Great Park)
• road closures, restrictions and clearways, and
• event day parking zones and 'advisory areas' where drivers will be discouraged from leaving their vehicles.

The list is available in the cabinet agenda papers online.

Cllr Bicknell encouraged local people to visit the LOCOG drop-in sessions planned for next month to see the transport and parking arrangements for themselves and to make comments.

He added: "This is a good opportunity to take a close look at what's in store and if there are any last minute comments to get them to LOCOG before the closing date of Friday 10 February."

The LOCOG drop-in sessions are on:
• Thursday 2 February - Windsor Racecourse (4 - 8pm)
• Friday 3 February - Windsor Racecourse (4 - 8pm)
• Saturday 4 February - Sainsbury's, Taplow (10 - 2pm).

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