Work starts on flagship ‘Opportunity Bucks’ High Wycombe scheme

The Opportunity Bucks programme focuses on wards where outcomes for residents, from health to employment, aren’t as good as in other parts of the county and aims to address this disparity by taking specific measures in these locations to improve the lives and experiences of the residents living there. Opportunity Bucks directly involves the residents in these ten wards, who pinpoint what impacts would make the most difference in their area.

In Castlefield, tackling anti-social driving was outlined as a priority. Residents there have been subjected to significant anti-social driving with police reporting repeated occurrences. As a result, the council is installing a comprehensive traffic calming scheme to deter speeding and dangerous driving along six key roads in the area. The measures being put in place include raised tables (a raised section of road that slows traffic, often at a junction) speed humps and speed cushions (smaller speed humps).

Steven Broadbent is Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport. He said:

“We’ve worked closely with the local community including carrying out a public consultation to design a scheme that will directly benefit them. This is the sort of work our Highways teams carry out that really does have a positive impact on a local community. Introducing measures like this should be extremely effective in stopping motorists speeding on these routes and will make the whole area much safer for pedestrians and all road users, also hopefully lessening associated noise with speeding vehicles too.”

Arif Hussain is Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities. He said: “This scheme is a great example of how ‘Opportunity Bucks’ works in practice. We know residents in some parts of the county don’t experience the same access to opportunity as in other places and that there are also negative impacts on their quality of life. Through Opportunity Bucks and our focussed work in these specific wards, we have engaged with residents in Castlefield and listened to what they say they need the most to make their lives better. The work of Opportunity Bucks is extremely varied – we have delivered a large number of projects, events and campaigns to residents in the ten wards, from community action days, to hosting skills and jobs fairs. I hope the residents of Castlefield feel the benefits from the programme and this project in their area.”