A CONTROVERSIAL road closure is set to continue into the new year despite strong opposition from councillors and residents.

The closure of Hollow Hill Lane/Market Lane at the Chequers Bridge is set to continue until February 2 after councillors agreed to a six-month closure on Monday.

The road closed on August 2 as part of an 18 month experimental traffic order, and it was decided at the Slough Borough Council cabinet meeting to maintain that closure for a six month period from the closure date.

Residents packed out the public gallery to show their support against oppose the closure, which has caused travel chaos in Langley and the surrounding areas, as well as reports of drag racing in the closed road and fly-tipping.

The closure was put in place to conduct transport surveys ahead of the potential permanent closure of the road, which would be in place if large scale developments such as the Western Rail Link to Heathrow (WRLtH) are approved.

Cllr Fiza Matloob, commissioner for transport and highways, speaking at the meeting said: “I share the sympathy of the residents of Langley, but it would be negligent of us if we didn’t do the work now to seek a good mitigation package for Langley and its residents.”

Langley Councillors Amarpreet Dhaliwal and Ted Plenty voiced their concerns about the closure and the effect it is having on the local community, and Diana Coad, who was unable to attend, had a message read out, while Eleanor Cryer MBE, chairman of Langley Neighbourhood Forum, gave an impassioned speech.

Speaking after the meeting, she said: “It is a very disappointing result. The people of Langley and the people who are better informed say that it is totally unnecessary and that it could reopen on November 2.”

The council’s head of transport and highways, Savio De Cruz, said a six month closure would give officers enough time to assess the traffic in a range of conditions, as well as in the neutral month of November when there is no holidays or school half terms.

The closure could be reviewed after three months, on November 2.