A SUNNINGHILL and South Ascot councillor has stepped down after five years in the role.

Cllr George Bathurst today announced his resignation from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, citing his committments to the Windsor Link Railway project.

Speaking to the News he said: "I have stepped down mainly to focus on the Windsor Link Railway project, which I have to give the guidance and the leadership it deserves.

"The project focuses on linking up the two lines into Windsor and we are making good progress with it.

"Phase two will enable Crossrail to come to Ascot and Bracknell."

He went on: "I had to make a decision between one or the other. I am sad because I have enjoyed my time, it is a great council and I am really proud to have been associated with it and I leave behind some really great councillors.

"We have got the High Street widening in Sunninghill coming up in the summer and I am excited to see that happen; hopefully I am leaving the area better than I when I first started.

"I'm not resigning to leave the community, I am resigning to do better things for the community."

The Windsor Link Railway is a proposed new railway in Windsor connecting Great Western and South West Trains franchise areas and potentially linking both to London Heathrow Airport.