Page contents
- Background
- Proposed Improvements
- Junctions
- Smart technology
- Active and sustainable travel improvements
- Benefits
- Timeline
Background
The A308 Staines Road West is a vitally important link in the county's road network, connecting the A30 and M25 junction 13 to the M3 and A316. It is the main road that links Staines, Ashford, Sunbury and Heathrow to one another as well as the wider strategic road network.
Redevelopment through the Staines masterplan will see travel demand along and across the A308 increase in the years to come, as would any eventual expansion of Heathrow Airport. This stretch of road is often heavily congested and is currently an air quality management area.
Proposed improvements
This project proposes to remodel key junctions and introduce smart technology to improve traffic flow and reduce occurrences of incidents that result in injury or disruption, as well as improving journey time reliability and air quality.
The A308 could also be improved for journeys on foot, by bike and by bus. As the main route for the borough, connecting Staines, Ashford and Sunbury Cross, the A308 has the potential to become an important sustainable travel corridor. This stretch hosts bus routes with potential for growth. The Department for Transport's Propensity to Cycle Tool also identifies the corridor as a prime location for cycle infrastructure investment, which will be explored further through the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). Junction remodelling would unlock the potential for a cycling route to be provided alongside the A308 by introducing the necessary crossings over side roads.
The wide, busy road has very limited crossing facilities with few places for pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely. The scheme proposes the installation and modernisation of crossings at Black Dog and The Shears junctions across both the A308 and the associated side roads.
Junctions
School Road junction
The junction layout was modified to improve safety, this work was completed in March 2022.
Black Dog junction
Works on the A308 Staines Road West at its junction with Chertsey Road and Littleton Road (Black Dog junction) are now complete. New and improved pedestrian crossing facilities have been installed to provide safer crossing points and improve connectivity. There is access to bus stops on both sides of the road. An additional lane has been added for traffic travelling eastbound on the approach to the traffic lights, road lining has been refreshed, and anti-skid surfacing applied to all junction approaches.
The Shears junction
Works on The Shears completed at the end of 2024 and are now under a period of monitoring and review. We have modified the junction layout on the A308 Staines Road West at its junction with Windmill Road and Cadbury Road (The Shears junction). New and improved pedestrian crossing facilities have been installed to provide safer crossing points and improve connectivity. Road lining has been refreshed, and anti-skid surfacing applied to junction approaches.
Smart technology
- Intelligent, adaptive, linked traffic signals will be installed to improve traffic flow, with bus priority and the potential for connection to Highways England signals at Sunbury Cross and Crooked Billet through a collaborative traffic management approach.
- Average speed cameras will be installed to improve road safety and traffic flow
- Cameras and sensors to improve network management – make the corridor 'smart city ready'
- Variable messaging signs (VMS) to improve information provision to drivers
Active and sustainable travel improvements
We propose to make improvements along this key stretch of road to improve the footway, junction crossings and enhance safety. The proposed improvements include:
- Cycleway and footway improvements: a new cycleway will be introduced alongside the A308, with upgraded footways that tie into the recently upgraded junctions. This work will predominantly be along the northern side of the A308.
- Tree preservation: we will be assessing the health of existing trees with the aim of retaining as many as possible and in time will be seeking opportunities to add more greening. This could be in the form of new trees, planting or areas of grass.
- Junction visibility and safety enhancements: side road junctions will be treated with raised tables that will make it easier for pedestrians and cyclist to cross and should also reduce speeds and the potential for accidents.
- Removal of obstructions: unused street furniture and obstructions will be removed to improve accessibility and the overall look and feel of the area.
Benefits of the scheme
- Reducing air pollution by reducing congestion but also by encouraging short journeys to be made on foot or by bicycle
- Re-connecting the communities split by the A308, which currently makes short trips to shops or amenities difficult unless driving
- Improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians using this route
- Allow future bus network improvements and easier access for pedestrians to bus stops via the crossings
- Improved safety and more reliable journey times
Timeline
- Black dog junction - completed 2024
- Shears Junction – completed 2024
- Construction of the remaining active travel improvements will continue in phases until March 2026
This timeline will be updated with further dates once these are confirmed.