RETAILERS in Sunninghill High Street have backed council proposals to widen the road in order to reduce congestion.

Sunninghill & Ascot Parish Council is currently being consulted on plans to increase the width of the roadway between Cordes Hall and Queens Road by 1.2 metres, leaving a pavement width of 1.8 metres.

A raised pedestrian crossing has also been tabled to account for the higher speeds that will come with more free-flowing traffic, particularly as St Michael's C of E Primary School is close to the area due for renovation.

Becky Smith, who works at the One Stop, was shocked to hear the council was considering widening the street.

She said: "It's a really good idea and I hope they do it. Children need somewhere to cross the road safely."

Ms Smith also supported the suggestions as congestion on the High Street frequently causes motorists to lose their temper.

"At three or four o'clock all I hear outside the door is people shouting," she added.

Caroline Andrew, who owns Pink & Brown, has also seen "very colourful language" being displayed by impatient drivers.

She agreed the road widening would be a real benefit to the community.

"Hopefully it could bring more people into the village as we have free parking and all independent shops," she said.

"I live in the village and there is awful backup between Station Road and the One Stop where people park illegally.

"We could have two-way traffic and still have parking without the bottleneck."

The plans were unveiled at a meeting of Sunninghill & Ascot Parish Council two weeks ago.

Councillor Peter Deason, of the parish council, explained: "The road widening will allow two way traffic to pass by while retaining parking on the High Street.

"The pedestrian crossing will be a real advantage to the children and parents of the school.

"As soon as we allow free movement of cars, then traffic speeds will increase and there is concern about those speeds."

The eventual shape of the scheme will be finalised by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.